The Meaning of Numbers 10:21 Explained

Numbers 10:21

KJV: And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.

YLT: And the Kohathites have journeyed, bearing the tabernacle, and the others have raised up the tabernacle until their coming in.

Darby: And the Kohathites set forward bearing the sanctuary: and the others set up the tabernacle whilst they came.

ASV: And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the others did set up the tabernacle against their coming.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the Kohathites  set forward,  bearing  the sanctuary:  and [the other] did set up  the tabernacle  against they came. 

What does Numbers 10:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 10:17-36 - "come Thou With Us"
The invitation of Moses to Hobab is one that we may all give to our friends: "We are journeying to the place of which the Lord hath spoken." "We should always be on the alert for those who are not formally united to the Church, and we can always promise that we can do them good. Only good awaits those who travel with their backs to Egypt and their faces toward the Heavenly City. God has prepared for those who love Him such good things as it is beyond words to declare. See 1 Corinthians 2:9.
And how much we may benefit by such companionships! Hobab was probably Moses' brother-in-law, and Jethro having returned to Midian, he was all the more needed to lead Israel to the best routes and the most suitable halting-places, where shade and water could be found. Such a guide would be invaluable. Ministers are such! For Hobab's reward see Judges 1:16; Judges 4:11. Who would not follow where the Ark of the Covenant leads, and rest where the cloud broods? John 10:4. [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 10

1  The use of the silver trumpets
11  The Israelites move from Sinai to Paran
14  The order of their march
29  Hobab is entreated by Moses not to leave them
33  The blessing of Moses at the removing and resting of the ark

What do the individual words in Numbers 10:21 mean?

And set out the Kohathites carrying the holy things and would be prepared - the tabernacle for their arrival -
וְנָסְעוּ֙ הַקְּהָתִ֔ים נֹשְׂאֵ֖י הַמִּקְדָּ֑שׁ וְהֵקִ֥ימוּ אֶת־ הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן עַד־ בֹּאָֽם ס

וְנָסְעוּ֙  And  set  out 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person common plural
Root: נָסַע  
Sense: to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart.
הַקְּהָתִ֔ים  the  Kohathites 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: קְהָתִי  
Sense: the descendants of Kohath, the 2nd son of Levi.
נֹשְׂאֵ֖י  carrying 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
הַמִּקְדָּ֑שׁ  the  holy  things 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִקְדָּשׁ  
Sense: sacred place, sanctuary, holy place.
וְהֵקִ֥ימוּ  and  would  be  prepared 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, third person common plural
Root: קוּם 
Sense: to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן  the  tabernacle 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁכָּן  
Sense: dwelling place, tabernacle.
בֹּאָֽם  their  arrival 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, third person masculine plural
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
ס  - 
Parse: Punctuation