Verse 15

“When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is ready to journey, then the Kohathites will come to carry them; but they must not touch any holy thing, or they will die. These are the responsibilities of the Kohathites with the tent of meeting.

Referenced Verses

  • 2 Sam 6:6-7 : 6 When they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and grabbed hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. 7 The LORD was so furious with Uzzah, he killed him on the spot for his negligence. He died right there beside the ark of God.
  • Num 7:9 : 9 But to the Kohathites he gave none, because the service of the holy things, which they carried on their shoulders, was their responsibility.
  • Num 10:21 : 21 And the Kohathites set out, carrying the articles for the sanctuary; the tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived.
  • Deut 31:9 : 9 The Deposit of the Covenant Text Then Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the Levitical priests, who carry the ark of the LORD’s covenant, and to all Israel’s elders.
  • 1 Chr 13:9-9 : 9 When they arrived at the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to take hold of the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 10 The LORD was so furious with Uzzah, he killed him, because he reached out his hand and touched the ark. He died right there before God.
  • 1 Chr 15:2 : 2 Then David said,“Only the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD chose them to carry the ark of the LORD and to serve before him perpetually.”
  • 1 Chr 15:15 : 15 The descendants of Levi carried the ark of God on their shoulders with poles, just as Moses had commanded in keeping with the LORD’s instruction.
  • Heb 12:18-29 : 18 For you have not come to something that can be touched, to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind 19 and the blast of a trumpet and a voice uttering words such that those who heard begged to hear no more. 20 For they could not bear what was commanded:“If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” 21 In fact, the scene was so terrifying that Moses said,“I shudder with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly 23 and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does. 25 Take care not to refuse the one who is speaking! For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less shall we, if we reject the one who warns from heaven? 26 Then his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised,“I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven too.” 27 Now this phrase“once more” indicates the removal of what is shaken, that is, of created things, so that what is unshaken may remain. 28 So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe. 29 For our God is indeed a devouring fire.
  • 2 Sam 6:13 : 13 Those who carried the ark of the LORD took six steps and then David sacrificed an ox and a fatling calf.
  • Josh 4:10 : 10 Now the priests carrying the ark of the covenant were standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua to tell the people was accomplished, in accordance with all that Moses had commanded Joshua. The people went across quickly,
  • 1 Sam 6:19 : 19 But the LORD struck down some of the people of Beth Shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD; he struck down 50,070 of the men. The people grieved because the LORD had struck the people with a hard blow.
  • Exod 19:12 : 12 You must set boundaries for the people all around, saying,‘Take heed to yourselves not to go up on the mountain nor touch its edge. Whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death!
  • Num 1:51 : 51 Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites must take it down, and whenever the tabernacle is to be reassembled, the Levites must set it up. Any unauthorized person who approaches it must be killed.
  • Num 3:30-31 : 30 Now the leader of the clan of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan son of Uzziel. 31 Their responsibilities included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered, the curtain, and all their service.
  • Num 3:38 : 38 But those who were to camp in front of the tabernacle on the east, in front of the tent of meeting, were Moses, Aaron, and his sons. They were responsible for the needs of the sanctuary and for the needs of the Israelites, but the unauthorized person who approached was to be put to death.