Numbers 7:8
New International Version
and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.

New Living Translation
and he gave four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarite division for their work. All their work was done under the leadership of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

English Standard Version
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Berean Standard Bible
and he gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen, as their service required, all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

King James Bible
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

New King James Version
and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

New American Standard Bible
and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

NASB 1995
and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

NASB 1977
and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Legacy Standard Bible
and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Amplified Bible
and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service [in transporting the tabernacle], under the supervision of Ithamar the son of Aaron, the [high] priest.

Christian Standard Bible
and gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen corresponding to their service, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen corresponding to their service, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

American Standard Version
and four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

English Revised Version
and four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He gave four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarites for the work they had to do under the direction of Ithamar, son of the priest Aaron.

Good News Translation
and four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarites. All their work was to be done under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron.

International Standard Version
Four carts and eight oxen were given to the descendants of Merari for their work.

Majority Standard Bible
and he gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen, as their service required, all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

NET Bible
and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their service required, under the authority of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

New Heart English Bible
and he gave four wagons and eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Webster's Bible Translation
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

World English Bible
He gave four wagons and eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he has given the four wagons and the eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service, by the hand of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest,

Young's Literal Translation
and the four of the waggons and the eight of the oxen he hath given to the sons of Merari, according to their service, by the hand of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest;

Smith's Literal Translation
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The other four wagons, and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their offices and service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The other four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their offices and service, under the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest.

New American Bible
and four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarites according to their duties, under the supervision of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.

New Revised Standard Version
and four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the Merarites, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, enough for their service into the hand of Ithamar, son of Ahron the Priest.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And four waggons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari according to their ministrations, by Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Offerings of Dedication
7He gave the Gershonites two carts and four oxen, as their service required, 8and he gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen, as their service required, all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. 9But he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible.…

Cross References
Exodus 25:9
You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.

Exodus 40:17-19
So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year. / When Moses set up the tabernacle, he laid its bases, positioned its frames, inserted its crossbars, and set up its posts. / Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering over the tent, just as the LORD had commanded him.

1 Chronicles 23:26
So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.”

1 Chronicles 23:32
So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 15:2
Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”

1 Chronicles 6:48
Their fellow Levites were assigned to every kind of service of the tabernacle, the house of God.

1 Chronicles 23:32
So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Kings 8:4
and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up.

2 Chronicles 5:5
and they brought up the ark and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. The Levitical priests carried them up.

Deuteronomy 10:8
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.

Deuteronomy 31:9
So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.

Hebrews 9:1-5
Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. / A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. / Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, ...

Hebrews 9:6-10
When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. / By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. ...

Acts 7:44
Our fathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the wilderness. It was constructed exactly as God had directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.

Acts 15:10
Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?


Treasury of Scripture

And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

four wagons

Numbers 3:36,37
And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto, …

Numbers 4:28-33
This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest…

the sons.

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Aaron Carts Direction Eight Four Hand Ithamar Ith'amar Merari Merar'i Merarites Oxen Priest Required Service Waggons Wagons Work
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Aaron Carts Direction Eight Four Hand Ithamar Ith'amar Merari Merar'i Merarites Oxen Priest Required Service Waggons Wagons Work
Numbers 7
1. The offering of the princes at the dedication of the tabernacle
10. Their several offerings at the dedication of the altar
89. God speaks to Moses from the mercy seat














and he gave
The act of giving in this context is significant, as it reflects the generosity and provision of God through His people. The Hebrew root for "gave" is "נָתַן" (natan), which means to give, bestow, or grant. This act of giving is not merely transactional but is deeply rooted in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God provides for the needs of His people as they serve Him.

four carts and eight oxen
The specific provision of "four carts and eight oxen" is a practical and necessary gift for the sons of Merari. The Hebrew word for "carts" is "עֲגָלוֹת" (agalot), and "oxen" is "בָּקָר" (bakar). These were essential for the transportation of the tabernacle's heavy components. The number four and eight may symbolize completeness and abundance, ensuring that the Merarites could fulfill their duties effectively. This provision underscores God's attention to detail and His care for the logistical needs of His people.

to the sons of Merari
The sons of Merari were one of the Levitical families responsible for the care and transportation of the tabernacle's framework and heavy materials. The name "Merari" comes from the Hebrew root "מָרַר" (marar), meaning "bitter." Despite the potentially burdensome nature of their task, God's provision through the carts and oxen lightened their load, turning what could be a bitter experience into a manageable one. This highlights God's compassion and understanding of the burdens His people carry.

according to their service
This phrase emphasizes that the provision was tailored "according to their service." The Hebrew word for "service" is "עֲבוֹדָה" (avodah), which can mean work, labor, or service. It indicates that God equips His people specifically for the tasks He assigns them. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, where God provides the necessary resources and strength for His people to accomplish His purposes.

under the direction of Ithamar
Ithamar, the son of Aaron, was entrusted with overseeing the Merarites. His name in Hebrew, "אִיתָמָר" (Ithamar), means "land of palms" or "island of palms," suggesting a place of rest and provision. Ithamar's role signifies the importance of godly leadership and oversight in the service of the Lord. His direction ensured that the resources were used effectively and that the service was conducted in an orderly manner, reflecting the order and holiness of God.

son of Aaron the priest
Aaron, the first high priest, represents the priestly lineage and the spiritual leadership of Israel. The mention of Ithamar as "son of Aaron the priest" underscores the continuity of the priestly role and the importance of spiritual heritage. It reminds us that leadership in God's service is not only about function but also about maintaining a legacy of faithfulness and dedication to God's commands.

Verse 8. - Four wagons... he gave unto the sons of Merari. The heavy portions of the fabric, which were intrusted to the Merarites, especially required this means of transport.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and
וְאֵ֣ת ׀ (wə·’êṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

he gave
נָתַ֖ן (nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the Merarites
לִבְנֵ֣י (liḇ·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

four
אַרְבַּ֣ע (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 702: Four

carts
הָעֲגָלֹ֗ת (hā·‘ă·ḡā·lōṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5699: Something revolving, a wheeled vehicle

and eight
שְׁמֹנַ֣ת (šə·mō·naṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8083: A cardinal number, eight, eighth

oxen,
הַבָּקָ֔ר (hab·bā·qār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1241: Beef cattle, ox, a herd

as their service
עֲבֹ֣דָתָ֔ם (‘ă·ḇō·ḏā·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5656: Work of any kind

required,
כְּפִי֙ (kə·p̄î)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

all under the direction
בְּיַד֙ (bə·yaḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of Ithamar
אִֽיתָמָ֔ר (’î·ṯā·mār)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 385: Ithamar -- 'land of palms', a son of Aaron

son
בֶּֽן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Aaron
אַהֲרֹ֖ן (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

the priest.
הַכֹּהֵֽן׃ (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest


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OT Law: Numbers 7:8 And he gave four wagons and eight (Nu Num.)
Numbers 7:7
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