Numbers 4 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 4:3, 4:7, 4:13, 4:14, 4:20, 4:23, 4:26, 4:30, 4:31, 4:32, 4:35, 4:36, 4:39, 4:43, 4:47
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Numbers 4
Camp Assignments
Duties of the Kohathites
Verse 4:1 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:1 YHWH spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:1 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
Classification & Notes
Same
Verse 4:2 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:2 Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their clans and ancestral houses,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:2 Take a total of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their divisions and ancestral houses,
Classification & Notes
Similar
Verse 4:3 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:3 From thirty years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering the service to do work in the Tent of Meeting.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:3 From twenty-five years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering to minister and do all the work in the Tent of Testimony.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
The minimum service age is thirty / twenty-five. This changes eligibility, not merely wording. The Greek age agrees with 8:24; Hebrew’s two ages must be considered on their own terms.
Rabbinic reception: Rashi on 8:24 reconciles Hebrew ages 25 and 30 by assigning five years to training before service. The Greek age 25 here is retained independently of that interpretation.
Source: Rashi, Numbers 8:24
Verse 4:4 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:4 This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting: the most holy things.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:4 This is the work of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Testimony: the most holy things.
Classification & Notes
Different
Meeting / Testimony; service / work. Both concern the most holy objects.
Verse 4:5 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:5 When the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons shall enter, take down the screening curtain, and cover the Ark of Testimony with it.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:5 When the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons shall enter, take down the overshadowing curtain, and cover the Ark of Testimony with it.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Verse 4:6 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:6 They shall put over it a covering of tahash skin, spread a cloth entirely of blue above it, and set its poles in place.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:6 They shall put over it a covering of blue skin, lay a cloth entirely of blue above it, and insert the carrying poles.
Classification & Notes
Different
The uncertain Hebrew tahash material is retained; Greek specifies blue skin. A particular animal species is not assumed.
Verse 4:7 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:7 Over the Table of the Presence they shall spread a blue cloth and put on it the dishes, ladles, pitchers, and bowls for pouring. The continual bread shall remain on it.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:7 Over the table set before them they shall spread a cloth entirely of purple, with the dishes, incense vessels, cups, and vessels for libations. The continual loaves shall remain on it.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Blue / purple changes the prescribed covering. The utensil names and table designation also differ; later symbolism is not inserted into either text.
Verse 4:8 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:8 They shall spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover it with a covering of tahash skin, and set its poles in place.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:8 They shall spread a scarlet cloth over it, cover it with a covering of blue leather, and insert its carrying poles through it.
Classification & Notes
Different
Over them / over it; tahash skin / blue leather.
Verse 4:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:9 They shall take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand for light, its lamps, tongs, firepans, and all the oil vessels used in serving it.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:9 They shall take a blue cloth and cover the illuminating lampstand, its lamps, tongs, snuffers, and all the oil vessels used in ministering with them.
Classification & Notes
Different
The associated lamp utensils are named differently. Both require the lampstand and its implements to be covered.
Verse 4:10 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:10 They shall put it and all its furnishings into a covering of tahash skin and place it on the carrying frame.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:10 They shall put it and all its furnishings into a covering of blue leather and place it on carrying poles.
Classification & Notes
Different
Material / color description, and a carrying frame or bar / carrying poles.
Verse 4:11 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:11 Over the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, cover it with a covering of tahash skin, and set its poles in place.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:11 Over the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, cover it with a covering of blue leather, and insert its carrying poles.
Classification & Notes
Different
The Hebrew material is not silently replaced with the Greek color.
Verse 4:12 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:12 They shall take all the service utensils used in the sanctuary, put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of tahash skin, and place them on the carrying frame.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:12 They shall take all the ministering utensils used in the holy place, put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of blue leather, and place them on carrying poles.
Classification & Notes
Different
The same general packing rule has distinct material and transport terms.
Verse 4:13 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:13 They shall remove the ashes from the altar and spread a purple cloth over it.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:13 He shall put the cover on the altar, and they shall spread a cloth entirely of purple over it.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Removing ashes / placing a cover: the preparatory action differs substantially. Greek also begins with a singular verb whose agent is not restated.
Verse 4:14 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:14 They shall put on it all the utensils used in its service: the firepans, forks, shovels, and basins—all the altar utensils. They shall spread a covering of tahash skin over it and set its poles in place.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:14 They shall put on it all the utensils used in its ministry: the firepans, meat forks, bowls, the cover, and all the altar utensils. They shall spread a covering of blue leather over it and insert its carrying poles. They shall take a purple cloth, cover the basin and its stand together, put them into a covering of blue leather, and place them on carrying poles.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Greek names a cover where Hebrew has shovels and adds a complete packing instruction for the basin and stand. This is an expansion with practical ritual consequences, so Disparate takes priority over Divergent.
Verse 4:15 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:15 When the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons shall finish covering the holy things and all the holy utensils. Afterward the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the burdens of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:15 When the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons shall finish covering the holy things and all the holy utensils. Afterward the sons of Kohath shall enter to carry them, and they shall not touch the holy things, so that they do not die. These are what the sons of Kohath shall carry in the Tent of Testimony.
Classification & Notes
Different
The prohibition and death consequence agree here. The sanctuary titles differ.
Saints reception — thematic comparison: Hebrews distinguishes restricted sanctuary access from Christ’s entry through His own offering. It supplies a later Christian reading of sanctuary boundaries, rather than additional transport instructions.
Source: Hebrews 9:6–14
Verse 4:16 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:16 Eleazar son of Aaron the priest has charge of the oil for light, the fragrant incense, the continual grain offering, and the anointing oil. He has oversight of the whole Dwelling and everything in it, the holy things and their utensils.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:16 Eleazar son of Aaron the priest is overseer of the oil for light, the compounded incense, the daily sacrifice, and the anointing oil: oversight of the whole Tent and everything in it, in the holy place, in all the work.
Classification & Notes
Different
Continual grain offering / daily sacrifice, and utensils / work. Greek episkopos means overseer here; a later Christian office is a reception question.
Verse 4:17 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:17 YHWH spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:17 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
Classification & Notes
Same
Verse 4:18 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:18 Do not let the tribe of the Kohathite clans be cut off from among the Levites.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:18 Do not destroy the division of Kohath’s tribe from among the Levites.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Both charge Moses and Aaron with preventing the group’s destruction.
Verse 4:19 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:19 Do this for them so that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall enter and assign each man to his service and his burden.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:19 Do this for them, and they shall live and certainly not die when they approach the most holy things: let Aaron and his sons approach and assign each man according to what he must carry.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Hebrew expressly assigns both service and burden; Greek specifies the carrying assignment.
Verse 4:20 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:20 They must not enter to see the holy things as they are covered, lest they die.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:20 They must certainly not enter to see the holy things suddenly, or they will die.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Hebrew keballaʿ is difficult: “as they are covered/swallowed up,” also understood as “for a moment.” Greek says suddenly. The rendering affects the stated circumstances of forbidden sight; uncertainty is retained in this classification.
Duties of the Gershonites
Verse 4:21 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:21 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:21 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
Classification & Notes
Same
Verse 4:22 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:22 Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their ancestral houses and clans.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:22 Take a total of the sons of Gershon also, by their ancestral houses and divisions.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Verse 4:23 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:23 Register them from thirty years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering the service to perform service in the Tent of Meeting.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:23 Register them from twenty-five years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering to minister and perform his work in the Tent of Testimony.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Thirty / twenty-five changes Gershonite eligibility, matching the chapter’s recurring age difference.
Verse 4:24 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:24 This is the service of the Gershonite clans, in serving and carrying:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:24 This is the ministry of the division of Gershon, in ministering and carrying:
Classification & Notes
Similar
Verse 4:25 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:25 They shall carry the curtains of the Dwelling, the Tent of Meeting, its covering, the tahash covering above it, and the screen at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:25 It shall carry the curtains of the Tent, the Tent of Testimony, its covering, the blue covering above it, and the covering at the door of the Tent of Testimony,
Classification & Notes
Different
Greek treats the division collectively in the singular. The covering descriptions and sanctuary titles remain distinct.
Verse 4:26 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:26 The courtyard hangings, the screen at the entrance to the courtyard gate surrounding the Dwelling and altar, their cords, all their service utensils, and everything to be done with them. They shall perform the service.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:26 The courtyard hangings by the Tent of Testimony, the remaining things, and all the ministering utensils used with them. They shall do the work.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Greek has a shorter cargo list: it does not expressly name the courtyard-gate screen, surrounding altar, or cords here. “Remaining things” does not reproduce the Hebrew inventory’s specificity.
Verse 4:27 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:27 All the service of the sons of Gershon, all their carrying and all their work, shall be at the mouth of Aaron and his sons. You shall assign all their burdens to their charge.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:27 The ministry of the sons of Gershon, all their ministries and everything they carry, shall be at the mouth of Aaron and his sons. You shall register them by name, with everything they carry.
Classification & Notes
Different
Greek adds registration by name; Hebrew emphasizes assigning the loads to their custody.
Verse 4:28 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:28 This is the service of the clans of the sons of Gershon in the Tent of Meeting. Their charge is under the hand of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:28 This is the ministry of the sons of Gershon in the Tent of Testimony. Their charge is under the hand of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
Classification & Notes
Different
The supervisory assignment agrees; the sanctuary title differs.
Duties of the Merarites
Verse 4:29 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:29 Register the sons of Merari by their clans and ancestral houses.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:29 Register the sons of Merari by their divisions and ancestral houses.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Verse 4:30 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:30 Register them from thirty years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering the service to perform the service of the Tent of Meeting.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:30 Register them from twenty-five years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering to minister in the work of the Tent of Testimony.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Thirty / twenty-five changes Merarite eligibility.
Verse 4:31 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:31 This is the charge of what they carry for all their service in the Tent of Meeting: the frames of the Dwelling, its bars, pillars, and bases,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:31 These are the things entrusted to their carrying for all their work in the Tent of Testimony: the capitals of the Tent, its bars, pillars, and bases, the covering, their bases and pillars, and the covering at the door of the Tent,
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Frames / capitals, with additional covering, pillar, and base items in Greek. The different inventory must remain visible even where Greek pronoun references are compressed.
Verse 4:32 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:32 The pillars around the courtyard, their bases, pegs, and cords, with all their utensils and all their service. Assign by name the utensils entrusted to their carrying.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:32 The pillars around the courtyard and their bases, the pillars of the curtain at the courtyard gate and their bases, their pegs and cords, all their utensils, and all their ministries. Register them by name, with all the utensils entrusted to their carrying.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Greek expressly adds courtyard-gate curtain pillars and bases; it also names the bearers in registration. This changes the detailed charge.
Verse 4:33 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:33 This is the service of the clans of the sons of Merari, all their service in the Tent of Meeting, under the hand of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:33 This is the ministry of the division of the sons of Merari, all their work in the Tent of Testimony, under the hand of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
Classification & Notes
Different
The assignment to Ithamar agrees.
The Census Results
Verse 4:34 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:34 Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the congregation registered the sons of Kohath by their clans and ancestral houses,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:34 Moses, Aaron, and the rulers of Israel registered the sons of Kohath by their divisions and ancestral houses,
Classification & Notes
Similar
Verse 4:35 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:35 From thirty years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering the service for work in the Tent of Meeting.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:35 From twenty-five years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering to minister and work in the Tent of Testimony.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
The reported enrollment follows the differing minimum ages.
Verse 4:36 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:36 Those registered by their clans numbered two thousand seven hundred fifty.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:36 Their enrollment by their divisions was two thousand two hundred fifty.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Hebrew counts two thousand seven hundred fifty; Rahlfs–Hanhart counts two thousand two hundred fifty. This classification describes BHS versus Rahlfs–Hanhart, not every Greek edition.
Verse 4:37 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:37 These are those registered from the Kohathite clans, everyone serving in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron registered at the mouth of YHWH through Moses.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:37 This is the enrollment of the division of Kohath, everyone ministering in the Tent of Testimony, whom Moses and Aaron registered by the voice of the Lord through Moses.
Classification & Notes
Different
The report and mediating role agree; sanctuary terminology differs.
Verse 4:38 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:38 Those registered among the sons of Gershon, by their clans and ancestral houses,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:38 The sons of Gershon were registered by their divisions and ancestral houses,
Classification & Notes
Similar
Verse 4:39 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:39 From thirty years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering the service for work in the Tent of Meeting.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:39 From twenty-five years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering to minister and do the work in the Tent of Testimony.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Thirty / twenty-five recurs in the enrollment report.
Verse 4:40 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:40 Those registered by their clans and ancestral houses numbered two thousand six hundred thirty.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:40 Their enrollment by their divisions and ancestral houses was two thousand six hundred thirty.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Verse 4:41 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:41 These are those registered from the clans of the sons of Gershon, everyone serving in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron registered at the mouth of YHWH.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:41 This is the enrollment of the division of the sons of Gershon, everyone ministering in the Tent of Testimony, whom Moses and Aaron registered by the voice of the Lord through Moses.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Greek adds “through Moses” to the concluding formula.
Verse 4:42 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:42 Those registered from the clans of the sons of Merari, by their clans and ancestral houses,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:42 The division of the sons of Merari was also registered by their divisions and ancestral houses,
Classification & Notes
Similar
Verse 4:43 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:43 From thirty years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering the service for work in the Tent of Meeting.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:43 From twenty-five years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering to minister in the work of the Tent of Testimony.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Thirty / twenty-five recurs for Merari.
Verse 4:44 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:44 Those registered by their clans numbered three thousand two hundred.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:44 Their enrollment by their divisions and ancestral houses was three thousand two hundred.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Greek includes ancestral houses; the total agrees.
Verse 4:45 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:45 These are those registered from the clans of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron registered at the mouth of YHWH through Moses.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:45 This is the enrollment of the division of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron registered by the voice of the Lord through Moses.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Verse 4:46 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:46 All those registered among the Levites by Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel, by their clans and ancestral houses,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:46 All those registered among the Levites by Moses, Aaron, and the rulers of Israel, by their divisions and ancestral houses,
Classification & Notes
Similar
Verse 4:47 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:47 From thirty years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering to perform the work of service and the work of carrying in the Tent of Meeting,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:47 From twenty-five years old and upward, up to fifty years old, everyone entering for the work of service and the work of carrying in the Tent of Testimony,
Classification & Notes
Disparate
The summary preserves the differing age threshold.
Verse 4:48 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:48 Those registered numbered eight thousand five hundred eighty.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:48 Those registered numbered eight thousand five hundred eighty.
Classification & Notes
Same
The total agrees. Hebrew subtotals sum to 8,580; Rahlfs–Hanhart’s printed subtotals sum to 8,080 because of 4:36. Neither is silently harmonized.
Verse 4:49 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
4:49 At the mouth of YHWH, through Moses, each man was appointed to his service and his burden. So they were registered as YHWH commanded Moses.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
4:49 By the voice of the Lord, through Moses, each man was appointed to his work and what he carried. They were registered as the Lord instructed Moses.
Classification & Notes
Similar
The Hebrew final clause is compressed; both summarize individual assignments under divine instruction.