From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,
Complete Jewish Bible:
all those between thirty and fifty years old who were part of the corps serving in the tent of meeting,
Berean Standard Bible:
everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.
American Standard Version:
from thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entered upon the service, for work in the tent of meeting,
Numbers 4:39 is a verse that falls within the broader context of the book of Numbers, which details the organization and travels of the Israelites in the wilderness following their exodus from Egypt. The book is traditionally attributed to Moses and is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.
In this specific verse, the theme revolves around the service and duties associated with the Tabernacle, the portable dwelling place for God that the Israelites were instructed to construct and carry with them during their wanderings. The verse specifies the age range for the Levites, a tribe set apart for religious service, who were eligible to participate in the work of the Tabernacle. It states that Levites from the age of thirty to fifty were to be involved in the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, which was the central place of worship and sacrifice for the ancient Israelites.
This age range indicates a period of peak physical strength and maturity, suggesting that these responsibilities required individuals who were capable of performing demanding tasks. The work likely included setting up and dismantling the Tabernacle, transporting its components, and assisting in the various rituals and sacrifices that were part of the Israelite worship. The specification of ages also reflects an organizational structure that ensured a rotation of service, allowing for both continuity and renewal within the priesthood.
Historically, this verse reflects the detailed instructions and laws given to the Israelites to maintain order and holiness in their religious practices. It underscores the importance of the Tabernacle in Israelite society and the meticulous care taken to ensure its proper functioning as the locus of divine presence and worship.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: H7970 There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שְׁלוֹשִׁים Transliteration: shᵉlôwshîym Pronunciation: shel-o-sheem' Description: or שְׁלֹשִׁים; multiple of שָׁלוֹשׁ; thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth; thirty, thirtieth. Compare שָׁלִישׁ.
Strong's Number: H8141 There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שָׁנֶה Transliteration: shâneh Pronunciation: shaw-neh' Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly).
Strong's Number: H1121 There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: בֵּן Transliteration: bên Pronunciation: bane Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
Strong's Number: H4605 There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מַעַל Transliteration: maʻal Pronunciation: mah'al Description: from עָלָה; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.; above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on ([idiom] very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very.
Strong's Number: H2572 There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: חֲמִשִּׁים Transliteration: chămishshîym Pronunciation: kham-ish-sheem' Description: multiple of חָמֵשׁ; fifty; fifty.
Strong's Number: H935 There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: בּוֹא Transliteration: bôwʼ Pronunciation: bo Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
Strong's Number: H6635 There are 463 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: צָבָא Transliteration: tsâbâʼ Pronunciation: tsaw-baw' Description: or (feminine) צְבָאָה; from צָבָא; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship); appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare).
Strong's Number: H5656 There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עֲבֹדָה Transliteration: ʻăbôdâh Pronunciation: ab-o-daw' Description: or עֲבוֹדָה; from עָבַד; work of any kind; act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought.
Strong's Number: H168 There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אֹהֶל Transliteration: ʼôhel Pronunciation: o'-hel Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.
Strong's Number: H4150 There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מוֹעֵד Transliteration: môwʻêd Pronunciation: mo-ade' Description: or מֹעֵד; or (feminine) מוֹעָדָה; (2 Chronicles 8:13), from יָעַד; properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally ayear; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand); appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed).