(The Lord speaking is red text)
And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers,
The census of the descendants of Gershon, by their clans and families,
Then the Gershonites were numbered by their clans and families,
And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, their families, and by their fathers’ houses,
And those that were numbered{H6485} of the sons{H1121} of Gershon{H1648}, throughout their families{H4940}, and by the house{H1004} of their fathers{H1},
Numbers 4:38 is a verse from the Old Testament that falls within the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The book of Numbers is so named because it contains a series of censuses or numberings of the Israelite community, as well as laws and narratives related to their organization and travels.
In the specific context of Numbers 4, the verse is part of a detailed account of the second census, which focuses on the Levites, the tribe designated to serve in the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary of God. The Gershonites were one of the three main families within the tribe of Levi, and they were responsible for carrying the tabernacle's coverings, curtains, and hangings.
Numbers 4:38 itself states the numbering of the Gershonite clans by their families and ancestral houses. This numbering was significant because it established the division of labor and responsibilities among the Levites in relation to the tabernacle. The Gershonites, as mentioned earlier, had specific duties concerning the care and transport of the tabernacle's fabric components.
The themes present in this verse include divine order and organization, the importance of heritage and lineage in the assignment of religious duties, and the sanctity of service to God. It reflects the detailed instructions given by God to Moses and Aaron on how to organize and manage the religious and social life of the Israelite community. The historical context is the period of wilderness wanderings, a formative time for the Israelites as they transitioned from a loose collection of tribes into a nation under God's covenant, with the tabernacle at the center of their religious life.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)