Numbers 4

Jehovah

And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Numbers 4:1

Jehovah, the premortal Christ, directs the care of His holy tabernacle.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · another scripture interprets it of Him

Ministry of Christ

From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation. Numbers 4:3

Levites began their work in the tabernacle at thirty. Jesus began His ministry when He was about thirty years old, stepping into the work of His Father's house that this service pointed toward.

How we know: a footnote points to Him

• a type of what is in Luke 3:23 — Church footnote 3a: 'And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age.'

The Veil

And 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: Numbers 4:5

The veil hung before the ark, the place of God's presence. Hebrews teaches that the veil is a type of Christ's flesh: through His body and sacrifice we pass into God's presence.

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited

• interpreted by Hebrews 10:19-20 — We enter the holiest 'through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.'
• a type of what is in Matthew 27:51 — At Christ's death the veil of the temple was rent in twain.

Bread of Life

Bread of Life — the one who gives and sustains eternal life

And 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: Numbers 4:7

The 'continual bread' always stayed before the LORD, even while it was being carried through the wilderness. It points to Jesus, the Bread of Life, who is always present to feed His people.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in John 6:35 — 'I am the bread of life.'
• alludes to Exodus 25:30 — Shewbread set 'before me alway' — the continual bread.

Light of the World

Light of the World — the one who shows the way and gives spiritual life

And 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: Numbers 4:9

The candlestick was the only light inside the holy place. It is often taught as a symbol of Christ, the Light of the World, who lights the way into God's presence.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in John 8:12 — 'I am the light of the world.'