14 "They shall also put on it all its utensils by which they serve in connection with it: the firepans , the forks and shovels and the basins , all the utensils of the altar ; and they shall spread a cover of porpoise skin over it and insert its poles .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 4:14
Commentary on Numbers 4:4-20
(Read Numbers 4:4-20)
The Kohathites were to carry the holy things of the tabernacle. All the holy things were to be covered; not only for security and respect, but to keep them from being seen. This not only marked the reverence due to holy things, but the mystery of the things signified by those types, and the darkness of the dispensation. But now, through Christ, the case is altered, and we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace.