So the priests and the Levites were sanctified, to carry the ark of the Lord the God of Israel.

So the priests and the Levites hallowed themselves to bring up the ark of Jehovah the God of Israel.

And the priests and the Levites sanctify themselves, to bring up the ark of Jehovah, God of Israel;

So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves,.... As they were ordered, and in the manner they should:
to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel; for though it was chiefly the work of the Levites, yet the priests might do it, and sometimes did, see Joshua 3:13.

The Levites consecrated themselves, and bare - as 1-Chronicles 15:15 anticipatively remarks-the ark of God upon their shoulders, according to the prescription in Numbers 7:9, עליהם בּמּומות, by means of poles upon them (the shoulders). מוטה, the flexible pole used for carrying burdens, Numbers 13:23. Those used to carry the ark are called בּדּים in the Pentateuch, Exodus 25:13.