Numbers 4:20

20 But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”

Numbers 4:20 in Other Translations

20 But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.

20 but they shall not go in to look on the holy things even for a moment, lest they die."

20 The Kohathites must never enter the sanctuary to look at the sacred objects for even a moment, or they will die.”

20 But the Kohathites themselves must not go in to look at the holy things, not even a glance at them, or they will die." Duties of the Gershonites

20 The Kohathites are not to go in and look at the holy objects, even for a moment, or they will die."

Numbers 4:20 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 4:20

But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are
covered
They were not to be present while they were packing up, test they should see any of them with their eyes; they were not to go in until they were quite covered out of sight; which may signify the hiding of the mysteries of grace in those things under the former dispensation, when even the Levites themselves were not admitted to a sight of them; see ( Ephesians 3:4 Ephesians 3:5 ) ;

lest they die;
by the immediate hand of God.

Numbers 4:20 In-Context

18 “See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not destroyed from among the Levites.

19 So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry.

20 But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”

21 The LORD said to Moses,

22 “Take a census also of the Gershonites by their families and clans.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 19:21; 1 Samuel 6:19