King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers,
Complete Jewish Bible:
The census of the families of the descendants of M'rari, by their clans and families,
Berean Standard Bible:
And the Merarites were numbered by their clans and families,
American Standard Version:
And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their fathers’ houses,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And those that were numbered{H6485} of the families{H4940} of the sons{H1121} of Merari{H4847}, throughout their families{H4940}, by the house{H1004} of their fathers{H1},
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Numbers 4:42
1. **Themes:**
- **Organization and Responsibility:** The verse reflects the detailed organization of the Israelite community, particularly focusing on the Levite clan of Merari. It emphasizes the importance of order and responsibility within the tribe, as each family is accountable for their duties in the tabernacle service.
- **Preparation for Travel:** Numbers 4 outlines the roles of the Levites in transporting the tabernacle during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. The Merarites were responsible for carrying specific parts of the tabernacle, which this verse is a part of that enumeration.
- **Divine Inventory:** The census serves as a divine mandate to ensure that all eligible members of the tribe are identified and assigned their sacred duties, highlighting God's interest in the details of His people's lives.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** This event occurs during the second year after the Exodus from Egypt, as the Israelites are encamped at Mount Sinai, preparing to move towards the Promised Land.
- **Wilderness Wanderings:** The book of Numbers begins with a census and the organization of the tribes for their journey through the wilderness. The Merarites, as part of the Levite tribe, are given specific tasks in relation to the tabernacle, which is central to Israel's worship and religious life.
- **Levitical Duties:** The Levites, unlike the other tribes, did not receive a territorial inheritance in Canaan but were set apart for the service of the Lord. The Merarites were one of the three main Levite clans, and their responsibilities included carrying the frames, bars, pillars, and bases of the tabernacle, as well as other duties related to its maintenance and transportation.
In summary, Numbers 4:42 is part of a larger instructional section that meticulously details the roles of the Merarites in the context of the Israelites' organized life in the wilderness, reflecting the broader themes of order, duty, and divine oversight that permeate the book of Numbers.
*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: H6485
There are 270 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּקַד
Transliteration: pâqad
Pronunciation: paw-kad'
Description: a primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.; appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. - Strong's Number: H4940
There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּחָה
Transliteration: mishpâchâh
Pronunciation: mish-paw-khaw'
Description: from שָׁפָה (compare שִׁפְחָה); a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people; family, kind(-red). - 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: H4847
There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְרָרִי
Transliteration: Mᵉrârîy
Pronunciation: mer-aw-ree'
Description: from מָרַר; bitter; Merari, an Israelite; Merari. See also מְרָרִי. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.