Num 7:4-9 | NET2full | STEP | Then the Lord spoke to Moses :

‏ Numbers 7:4-9

The Distribution of the Gifts

4 Then the Lord spoke to Moses: 5 “Receive these gifts ^{▼▼tn The object is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied.} from them, that they may be ^{▼▼tn The verb is the perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive; following the imperative, this could be given an independent volitive translation (“they shall be”), but more fittingly a subordinated translation expressing the purpose of receiving the gifts.} used in doing the work ^{▼▼tn The sentence uses the infinitive construct expressing purpose, followed by its cognate accusative: “[that they may be] for doing the work of” (literally, “serving the service of”).} of the tent of meeting; and you must give them to the Levites, to every man ^{▼▼tn The noun אִישׁ (ʾish) is in apposition to the word “Levites,” and is to be taken in a distributive sense: “to the Levites, [to each] man according to his service.”} as his service requires.” ^{▼▼tn The expression כְּפִי (kefi) is “according to the mouth of.” Here, it would say “according to the mouth of his service,” which would mean “what his service calls for.”}

6 So Moses accepted the carts and the oxen and gave them to the Levites. 7 He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites, as their service required; 8 and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their service required, under the authority ^{▼▼tn Heb “hand.”} of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. 9 But to the Kohathites he gave none, because the service of the holy things, which they carried ^{▼▼tn The verb is the imperfect tense, but it describes their customary activity—they had to carry, they used to carry.} on their shoulders, was their responsibility. ^{▼▼tn Heb “upon them,” meaning “their duty.”}