Numbers 4:5-15 · Bible study
Numbers 4:5-15 Commentary: Covering the Sanctuary
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why did Aaron and his sons enter the Most Holy Place to cover the ark? Explore the order, materials, and theological significance of packing the tabernacle.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God prescribes a detailed procedure for covering the most holy items in the tabernacle so the Kohathites can carry them safely during the wilderness journey.
- Key words: Veil (פָּרֹ֫כֶת), cover (כָּסָה), sealskin (תַּחַשׁ), blue (תְּכֵ֫לֶת), scarlet (שָׁנִי), purple (אַרְגָּמָן).
- Main debate: Why were Aaron and his sons allowed to enter the Most Holy Place to cover the ark? Most commentators hold that God's presence departed in the cloud, temporarily lifting the annual restriction.
- Theological theme: God's holiness requires mediation and order; the priests protect the people from death by covering the holy objects.
- Best use: Teaching about reverence in worship, the seriousness of approaching God, and how Christ now mediates for us as our great High Priest.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
5Whenever the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimony with it.
6They are to place over this a covering of fine leather, spread a solid blue cloth over it, and insert its poles.
7Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and place the plates and cups on it, along with the bowls and pitchers for the drink offering. The regular bread offering is to remain on it.
8And they shall spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover them with fine leather, and insert the poles.
9They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand used for light, together with its lamps, wick trimmers, and trays, as well as the jars of oil with which to supply it.
10Then they shall wrap it and all its utensils inside a covering of fine leather and put it on the carrying frame.
11Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with fine leather, and insert the poles.
12They are to take all the utensils for serving in the sanctuary, place them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine leather, and put them on the carrying frame.
13Then they shall remove the ashes from the bronze altar, spread a purple cloth over it,
14and place on it all the vessels used to serve there: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and sprinkling bowls—all the equipment of the altar. They are to spread over it a covering of fine leather and insert the poles.
15When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.
WEB World English Bible 2000
5When the camp moves forward, Aaron shall go in with his sons; and they shall take down the veil of the screen, cover the ark of the Testimony with it,
6put a covering of sealskin on it, spread a blue cloth over it, and put in its poles.
7“On the table of show bread they shall spread a blue cloth, and put on it the dishes, the spoons, the bowls, and the cups with which to pour out; and the continual bread shall be on it.
8They shall spread on them a scarlet cloth, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in its poles.
9“They shall take a blue cloth and cover the lamp stand of the light, its lamps, its snuffers, its snuff dishes, and all its oil vessels, with which they minister to it.
10They shall put it and all its vessels within a covering of sealskin, and shall put it on the frame.
11“On the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in its poles.
12“They shall take all the vessels of ministry with which they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put them on the frame.
13“They shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth on it.
14They shall put on it all its vessels with which they minister about it, the fire pans, the meat hooks, the shovels, and the basins—all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread on it a covering of sealskin, and put in its poles.
15“When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp moves forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to carry it; but they shall not touch the sanctuary, lest they die. The sons of Kohath shall carry these things belonging to the Tent of Meeting.
KJV King James Version 1769
5And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:
6And shall put thereon the covering of badgers’ skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.
7And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon:
8And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.
9And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:
10And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put it upon a bar.
11And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put to the staves thereof:
12And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put them on a bar:
13And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:
14And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers’ skins, and put to the staves of it.
15And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
5when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall go in, and his sons, and they shall take down the veil of the screen, and cover the ark of the testimony with it,
6and shall put thereon a covering of sealskin, and shall spread over it a cloth all of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.
7And upon the table of showbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls and the cups wherewith to pour out; and the continual bread shall be thereon:
8and they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in the staves thereof.
9And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and its lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:
10and they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of sealskin, and shall put it upon the frame.
11And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in the staves thereof:
12and they shall take all the vessels of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put them on the frame.
13And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:
14and they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, the firepans, the flesh-hooks, and the shovels, and the basins, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of sealskin, and put in the staves thereof.
15And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp is set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch the sanctuary, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
5that Aaron and his sons have come in, in the journeying of the camp, and have taken down the vail of the hanging, and have covered with it the ark of the testimony;
6and have put on it a covering of badger skin, and have spread a garment completely of blue above, and have placed its staves.
7`And on the table of the presence they spread a garment of blue, and have put on it the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and the cups of the libation, and the bread of continuity is on it,
8and they have spread over them a garment of scarlet, and have covered it with a covering of badger skin, and have placed its staves,
9and have taken a garment of blue, and have covered the candlestick of the lamp, and its lights, and its snuffers, and its snuff-dishes, and all its oil vessels wherewith they minister to it;
10and they have put it and all its vessels unto a covering of badger skin, and have put it on the bar.
11`And on the golden altar they spread a garment of blue, and have covered it with a covering of badger skin, and have placed its staves;
12and have taken all the vessels of ministry wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and have put them unto a garment of blue, and have covered them with a covering of badger skin, and have put them on the bar,
13and have removed the ashes of the altar, and have spread over it a garment of purple;
14and have put on it all its vessels wherewith they minister about it, the censers, the hooks, and the shovels, and the bowls, all the vessels of the altar, and have spread on it a covering of badger skin, and have placed its staves:
15`And Aaron hath finished--his sons also--covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, in the journeying of the camp, and afterwards do the sons of Kohath come in to bear it , and they do not come unto the holy thing, that they have died; these things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
5And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron and his sons shall go in, and they shall take down the veil of separation and cover the ark of testimony with it;
6and shall put thereon a covering of badgers' skin, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put its staves [to it].
7And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue; and put thereon the dishes, and the cups, and the bowls, and goblets of the drink-offering; and the continual bread shall be thereon.
8And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skin, and shall put its staves [to it].
9And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and its lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff-trays, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they perform its service;
10and they shall put it and all the utensils thereof within a covering of badgers' skin, and shall put it upon a pole.
11And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skin, and shall put its staves [to it].
12And they shall take all the instruments of service, wherewith they serve in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skin, and shall put them upon a pole.
13And they shall cleanse the altar of the ashes, and spread a purple cloth thereon;
14and they shall put upon it all the utensils thereof, wherewith they perform service about it: the firepans, the forks, and the shovels, and the bowls, — all the utensils of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skin, and put its staves [to it].
15And when Aaron and his sons have ended covering the sanctuary, and all the utensils of the sanctuary, when the camp setteth forward, then afterwards the sons of Kohath shall come to carry it; but they shall not touch the holy things, lest they die. This is what the sons of Kohath have to carry in the tent of meeting.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
5When the camp is; to set forward, Aaron and his sons shall go into the tabernacle of the covenant, and the holy of holies, and shall take down the veil that hangeth before the door, and shall wrap up the ark of the testimony in it,
6And shall cover it again with a cover of violet skins, and shall spread over it a cloth all of violet, and shall put in the bars.
7They shall wrap up also the table of proposition in a cloth of violet, and shall put with it the censers and little mortars, the cups and bowls to pour out the libations: the loaves shall be always on it:
8And they shall spread over it a cloth of scarlet, which again they shall cover with a covering of violet skins, and shall put in the bars.
9They shall take also a cloth of violet wherewith they shall cover the candlestick with the lamps and tongs thereof and the snuffers and all the oil vessels, which are necessary for the dressing of the lamps:
10And over all they shall put a cover of violet skins and put in the bars.
11And they shall wrap up the golden altar also in a cloth of violet, and shall spread over it a cover of violet skins, and put in the bars.
12All the vessels wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, they shall wrap up in a cloth of violet, and shall spread over it a cover of violet skins, and put in the bars.
13They shall cleanse the altar also from the ashes, and shall wrap it up in a purple cloth,
14And shall put it with all the vessels that they use in the ministry thereof, that is to say, firepans, fleshhooks and forks, pothooks and shovels. They shall cover all the vessels of the altar together with a covering of violet skins, and shall put in the bars.
15And when Aaron and his sons have wrapped up the sanctuary and the vessels thereof at the removing of the camp, then shall the sons of Caath enter in to carry the things wrapped up: and they shall not touch the vessels of the sanctuary, lest they die. These are the burdens of the sons of Caath: in the tabernacle of the covenant:
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Numbers 4:5
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators from across traditions agree on the central purpose of this passage: God gave precise instructions for covering the tabernacle furniture so that the Kohathite Levites could carry the most holy items without touching them and dying. The priests, Aaron and his sons, were to enter the sanctuary, take down the inner veil, and wrap each object in specific fabrics. Ellicott's Commentary notes that under normal circumstances only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. But when the camp moved, the divine presence departed in the cloud, temporarily suspending that restriction. Barnes observes that the ark received a cover of blue, the table of showbread an outer wrap of scarlet, and the altar a covering of purple, each color perhaps pointing to heavenly royalty, sacrifice, or priesthood. Cambridge Bible summarizes that the Kohathites would see only six large packages ready for transport. The overriding concern is holiness: the Levites must not touch the holy things, lest they die (verse 15).
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Temporary departure of God's presence: Ellicott: when the cloud moved, the divine presence left the Holy of Holies, allowing priests to enter (Exodus 40:34-38).
- Necessity overrides normal restriction: Gill and others: the need to pack the tabernacle for travel created a unique situation where the annual rule was set aside.
- Typological foreshadowing of Christ: The priests entering the Most Holy place prefigures Christ's once-for-all entry into heaven (Hebrews 9:11-12).
What is clear: The holy objects were to be covered by the priests before the Kohathites carried them; any Levite who touched the uncovered holy things would die.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Priests entering the Most Holy Place | All traditions agree that the priests entered to cover the ark because the normal restrictions were temporarily suspended when the cloud departed (God's presence left the sanctuary). | Some see this as a unique exception for the wilderness journey; others view it as a typological precedent for Christ's entry into the heavenly sanctuary. |
| Meaning of the colored cloths | The blue, scarlet, and purple cloths served to distinguish and honor each object, and to protect them from view and weather. | Interpreters differ on symbolic meanings: blue as heavenly (Barnes), scarlet as sacrifice, purple as royalty. Some caution against over-allegorizing. |
| Identity of the animal for the sealskin covering | The Hebrew word תַּחַשׁ refers to an animal hide that provides waterproofing; it formed the outer layer for each package. | The animal is uncertain: badger (KJV), dugong or dolphin (modern translations), or a now-extinct creature. The exact identification does not affect the theological point. |
| The continual bread in the wilderness | The showbread (לֶחֶם הַתָּמִיד) was maintained even during the wilderness years, as commanded in Exodus 25:30. | Some question how wheat was obtained in the desert; Jamieson-Fausset-Brown suggest it was raised in small quantities from fertile patches. Others hold that God provided miraculously. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The tabernacle was built at Sinai and served as God's dwelling in Israel's midst. When the cloud lifted, the camp set out, and the whole structure needed to be dismantled and carried. Numbers 4 assigns each Levite clan a specific task: the Gershonites carried the curtains and coverings, the Merarites the frames and pillars, and the Kohathites the most holy furniture. This chapter is the only place in the Pentateuch where we see the priests entering the Most Holy Place to prepare the ark for travel. Why were they permitted? Ellicott explains that the cloud of glory, God's visible presence, departed when the camp moved, so the inner sanctuary was temporarily emptied of the divine occupant. The priests could then go in without profaning the space.
The materials used for the coverings are significant. The inner veil (פָּרֹ֫כֶת) that normally screened the ark was taken down and became the first wrap around the ark itself (verse 5). Over that went a covering of sealskin (תַּחַשׁ), a waterproof hide whose exact animal remains uncertain, possibly badger, dugong, or dolphin (Gill discusses the options). Then a cloth that the Hebrew describes as wholly of blue (verse 6) was spread on top. The table of showbread received a blue cloth first, then a scarlet cloth, then sealskin. The altar of burnt offering was covered in purple after its ashes were removed. Different objects had different numbers of layers: the ark had three (veil, sealskin, blue), while the candlestick had only two (blue cloth and sealskin). The poles for carrying were inserted last, after all wrapping was complete. This careful order shows that every detail mattered to preserve the sanctity and safety of what was holy.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants among the ancient manuscripts for Numbers 4:5-15. The differences in English translations (e.g., 'badgers’ skins' in KJV vs. 'sealskin' in WEB, 'fine leather' in BSB) reflect uncertainty about the meaning of the Hebrew word taḥash rather than a divergence in the underlying Hebrew text. The command, order, and warning in verse 15 appear consistently across all traditions.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this passage has been read as a pattern for reverent worship and a type of Christ's mediating work. Early church writers linked the colored coverings to the virtues of Christ, the blue cloth to His heavenly origin, the scarlet to His sacrifice, the purple to His kingship. The Reformers, such as Calvin, emphasized that the detailed instructions showed God's care for His covenant people and the seriousness of approaching His holiness. In medieval commentaries, the veil that first covered the ark was seen as a picture of Christ's flesh hiding the glory of God. The repeated warning that touching the holy things brings death (verse 15) was used to underscore the need for a mediator, a theme later developed in Hebrews. Among modern readers, the passage is often taken as a reminder that worship is not casual; it requires order, preparation, and respect for God's majesty.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God makes a way for His presence to travel with His people. The cloud moves; the priests prepare the holy objects. God does not leave Israel unprotected, He goes with them, but on His terms.
- Order and reverence protect life. The precise steps, who covers what, with which cloth, in what sequence, prevented the Kohathites from touching the holy things and dying (verse 15). God's instructions were a mercy.
- The coverings conceal, but they also signify. Blue, scarlet, purple, these colors appear throughout the tabernacle. They point to royalty, sacrifice, and priesthood, all fulfilled in Christ, who veiled His glory and now mediates for us.
Five-point outline
- The priests enter the Holy of Holies (verses 5-6), a unique permission when the cloud departs.
- The ark is covered with veil, sealskin, and blue cloth (verse 6).
- The table of showbread gets a blue cloth, then scarlet, then sealskin (verses 7-8).
- The lampstand, golden altar, and instruments are wrapped (verses 9-12; 14).
- The bronze altar is cleaned and covered in purple (verses 13-14).
Illustration hooks
- Packing a family heirloom for a long move: you wrap it in soft cloth, then bubble wrap, then a sturdy box. You take care because it is precious and fragile. God ordered the tabernacle packed with even greater care, because it was holy.
- When a church renovates its building, the congregation may temporarily store the communion table or the pulpit with special attention, covering it to keep it safe. The same instinct appears here, only amplified by the presence of God.
- Think of a parent handing a newborn to a caregiver, giving careful instructions about how to hold and support the head. God gave equally careful instructions to keep the Levites safe while handling the things that represented His presence.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place once a year, why did Aaron and his sons go in here? Doesn't that contradict the rule?
- What was the point of using different colored cloths for different items?
- Why would God kill someone just for touching a piece of furniture?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows God's care for both the holiness of His dwelling and the safety of His servants. The detailed packing instructions may seem tedious, but they prevented death (verse 15). As you discuss, consider what this teaches about approaching a holy God.
Discussion questions
- Read Numbers 4:5-6. What is the first thing Aaron and his sons do when the camp is about to move? Why does this order matter?
- Look at the different coverings mentioned for the ark, the table, the lampstand, the golden altar, and the bronze altar. What colors are used, and how many layers does each object receive? What might this variation suggest?
- Verse 15 says the Kohathites must not touch the holy things or they will die. Why does God impose such a severe penalty? How does this affect your understanding of His holiness?
- Compare this passage with Exodus 26:31-33, where the veil separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy. Why are the priests now allowed to touch and take down that veil? What does Ellicott suggest about the departure of God's presence?
- How does this careful packing of the tabernacle furniture help you think about how you treat things that are sacred, whether in a church building or in your own life of faith?
- The Levites carried these items on their shoulders (Numbers 7:9). Later, David used a cart and disaster followed (2 Samuel 6:3-7). What does this tell us about the importance of following God's instructions exactly?
- In what ways does Jesus fulfill the role of both priest and covering for God's people? (Hebrews 9:11-12, 24)
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 25:10 | “They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Its length shall be two and a half cubits, its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height. |
| Exodus 25:22 | There I will meet with you, and I will tell you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the covenant, all that I command you for the children of Israel. |
| Exodus 26:31 | “You shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. It shall be the work of a skillful workman. |
| Exodus 26:33 | You shall hang up the veil under the clasps, and shall bring the ark of the covenant in there within the veil. The veil shall separate the holy place from the most holy for you. |
| Exodus 36:35 | He made the veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. He made it the work of a skillful workman. |
| Exodus 37:1 | Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits, and its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height. |
| Exodus 37:9 | The cherubim spread out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat. |
| Exodus 40:3 | You shall put the ark of the covenant in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes draws attention to the specific colors assigned to each sacred object's outer covering: blue for the ark, scarlet for the table of showbread, and purple for the altar. He also notes that the carrying staves remained permanently in the ark's golden rings and only needed adjustment, not removal.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge note highlights that the Ark alone received a colored cloth over its waterproof covering, making it conspicuous on the march. It also suggests the Altar of Burnt-offering used a different color because it belonged to a lower grade of sanctity, standing outside the Dwelling.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes emphasize that the careful process of covering the sacred furnishings before transport is a matter of life and death. Aaron and his sons alone must handle the holy objects directly, while the Kohathites carry them only after they are wrapped, to prevent fatal contact.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that when the camp moved, the high priest and his sons could enter the most holy place safely because the divine Majesty had already departed in the cloud that gave the signal. He also observes that the ark received three coverings: the veil next to it, then badgers' skins for protection from rain and dust, and a blue cloth for honor.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the priests, not the Kohathites, were the ones who entered the sanctuary to cover the sacred objects, making an exception to the usual rule. The Kohathites could then carry the items, but they were forbidden to touch anything underneath the covering, on pain of death. This arrangement was designed to instill deep reverence for holy things.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch highlight the careful layering of coverings for the ark: first the inner veil, then sea-cow skin as weather protection, and finally a hyacinth-purple cloth to mark the ark as the throne of Jehovah's glory. The priests alone handled these wrappings; the Kohathites carried them without touching the holy objects themselves.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange notes that the disassembly of the tabernacle follows the natural logic of a tent, starting from the inside and working outward. Only priests may enter the Holy of Holies to cover the ark, which must remain invisible. The Kohathites carry the most holy but dangerous burden, while Gershonites handle the difficult work and Merarites the heaviest loads.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry draws attention to the careful hierarchy God established: only Aaron and his sons could handle the most holy objects directly, covering them before the Kohathites ever touched them. This separation taught that even those chosen to serve closest to the sanctuary must approach God's holiness with reverent caution and strict obedience to His order.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley emphasizes the threefold purpose of the coverings on the holy objects: safety from weather