8 and he gave four wagons and eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Four wagons - unto the sons of Merari - Because they had the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets of the tabernacle to carry, Numbers 4:31, Numbers 4:32, therefore they had as many more wagons as the Gershonites.
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari,.... All the remaining wagons and oxen, which were double the number given to the Gershonites:
according unto their service; being much heavier than theirs, having all the boards, pillars, sockets, pins; cords, &c. to bear and carry: thus Moses was directed of God wisely to dispose of those carriages, in proportion to the services each was employed in; and in a spiritual way, as the day, duty, and service of the people of God be, he proportions grace and strength to them to answer thereunto:
under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest; under whose care, inspection, and direction, were both the Gershonites and Merarites, Numbers 4:28; and by whom were delivered, according to the instruction of Moses, the several wagons and oxen, to them.
*More commentary available at chapter level.