King James Version

What Does Numbers 4:15 Mean?

Numbers 4:15 in the King James Version says “And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the cam... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Numbers 4:15 · KJV


Context

13

And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:

14

And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it. basons: or, bowls

15

And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

16

And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.

17

And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command that Kohathites must not touch the holy things lest they die demonstrates that proximity to holiness without proper mediation brings death, not blessing. Aaron's sons covered the sacred objects; only then could Kohathites transport them. This pictures the principle that sinful humanity cannot touch divine holiness directly—we require priestly mediation. Christ fulfills this role, covering our sins so we can approach God safely (Hebrews 10:19-22). The severity of the penalty underscores God's holiness and the seriousness of presumption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The lethal danger of touching holy things was demonstrated when Uzzah touched the ark to steady it and died instantly (2 Samuel 6:6-7). David learned the hard way that God's commands for handling sacred things must be followed precisely. Later, when the ark was transported correctly by Levites using poles, God blessed the procession (2 Samuel 6:13-15).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this severe penalty teach us about God's holiness?
  2. What does it mean that we need Christ as mediator to approach God safely?
  3. How should we balance confidence in approaching God with appropriate reverence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וְכִלָּ֣ה1 of 29

have made an end

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

אַֽהֲרֹן2 of 29

And when Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

בְנֵֽי3 of 29

and his sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

לְכַסֹּ֨ת4 of 29

of covering

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

אֶת5 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ6 of 29

any holy thing

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְאֶת7 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל8 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כְּלֵ֣י9 of 29

and all the vessels

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ10 of 29

any holy thing

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

בִּנְסֹ֣עַ11 of 29

is to set forward

H5265

properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֒12 of 29

as the camp

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

וְאַֽחֲרֵי13 of 29

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

כֵ֗ן14 of 29
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יָבֹ֤אוּ15 of 29

shall come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְנֵֽי16 of 29

and his sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

קְהָ֖ת17 of 29

of Kohath

H6955

kehath, an israelite

לָשֵׂ֔את18 of 29

to bear

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

וְלֹֽא19 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִגְּע֥וּ20 of 29

it but they shall not touch

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

אֶל21 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ22 of 29

any holy thing

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וָמֵ֑תוּ23 of 29

lest they die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אֵ֛לֶּה24 of 29
H428

these or those

מַשָּׂ֥א25 of 29

These things are the burden

H4853

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

בְנֵֽי26 of 29

and his sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

קְהָ֖ת27 of 29

of Kohath

H6955

kehath, an israelite

בְּאֹ֥הֶל28 of 29

in the tabernacle

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

מוֹעֵֽד׃29 of 29

of the congregation

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 4:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 4:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study