C. F. Keil and Franz Delitzsch on Numbers 7:7-9

Num 7:7-9

He gave two waggons and four oxen to the Gershonites, and four waggons and eight oxen to the Merarites, as the former had less weight to carry, in the coverings and curtains of the dwelling and the hangings of the court, than the latter, who had to take charge of the beams and pillars (Num 4:24., Num 4:31.). “Under the hand of Ithamar” (Num 7:8); as in Num 4:28, Num 4:33. The Kohathites received no waggon, because it was their place to attend to “the sanctuary” (the holy), i.e., the holy things, which had to be conveyed upon their shoulders, and were provided with poles for the purpose (Num 4:4.).