Charles Ellicott Commentary Numbers 4

Of the sons of Kohath ... — Kohath appears to have been the second son of Levi (Numbers 3:17), but the Kohathites here stand first because Moses and Aaron belonged to them, and it was their office to bear the Ark.

From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old.—The previous census of the Levites was from a month old. The present census was for the purpose of discharging duties requiring considerable physical strength; therefore, the prescribed age for entering upon these duties was fixed at that time at thirty and limited to fifty.

Some have supposed that five years were spent in preparation for the service, and that this is how the apparent discrepancy between this verse and Numbers 8:24 (where the age for entering the service is fixed at twenty-five) is to be reconciled. (See Note on Numbers 8:24.) In Eastern countries, physical strength declines at an earlier age than in colder, more temperate climates. Thirty was the age at which John the Baptist and our Lord began their public ministry.

All that enter into the host.—Or, everyone who enters upon the service. The word zaba, commonly translated as host, and used elsewhere to signify military service, is here used to signify the service of the sanctuary.

Aaron shall come, and his sons ... — Under ordinary circumstances the high priest himself might only enter the most holy place on one day in the year. At the time of the moving of the camp, however, the Divine Presence seems to have departed from the Holy of Holies, and to have ascended in the cloud which gave the signal for the removal.

The covering vail. — Better, the vail of the hanging or curtain —namely, that which separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. (Compare to Numbers 3:31.)

And shall put in the staves thereof. —The staves had been removed while the Ark was being covered; otherwise they remained in their places (Exodus 25:15). (Compare to 2 Chronicles 5:9.)

And covers to cover with. —Better, and the cups for the drink-offering (or libation).

And the continual bread. —The shew-bread is so called because it was renewed every Sabbath day, and was continually before the face of the Lord even (as it appears from this verse) during the marches of the Israelites through the desert (Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:5).