Numbers 4:46

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers,

Complete Jewish Bible:

The census of the L'vi'im, whom Moshe, Aharon and the leaders of Isra'el enumerated by their clans and families,

Berean Standard Bible:

So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel numbered by their clans and families all the Levites

American Standard Version:

All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the princes of Israel numbered, by their families, and by their fathers’ houses,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

All those that were numbered{H6485} of the Levites{H3881}, whom Moses{H4872} and Aaron{H175} and the chief{H5387} of Israel{H3478} numbered{H6485}, after their families{H4940}, and after the house{H1004} of their fathers{H1},

Cross-References (KJV):


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Commentary for Numbers 4:46



Numbers 4:46 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 the fourth book of the Pentateuch, traditionally ascribed to Moses, and it details the census, laws, and events that occurred during the 40-year period of wilderness wanderings.

In the verse, we see the continuation of a census that Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel conducted among the Levites, the tribe designated for priestly duties. This census was not for military purposes but to organize the Levites for their responsibilities in carrying the tabernacle and its sacred objects as the Israelites traveled. The numbering was done according to their families and ancestral houses, emphasizing the importance of lineage and heritage in the allocation of religious duties.

The historical context of this verse is significant because it reflects the organization and structure of the Israelite community during a formative period in their history. The Levites were exempt from the general military census and were set apart for the service of the tabernacle, which was central to Israel's religious life. The detailed account of the numbering of the Levites underscores the meticulous care with which the Israelites were to approach their religious obligations, a theme that recurs throughout the Pentateuch.

In summary, Numbers 4:46 captures a moment in Israel's history where the religious and social structures were being firmly established. The verse highlights the special status of the Levites, their division according to familial lines, and their unique role in the religious life of the nation, which was crucial for the maintenance of the covenant relationship between God and the people of Israel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. 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.
  2. Strong's Number: H3881
    There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לֵוִיִּי
    Transliteration: Lêvîyîy
    Pronunciation: lay-vee-ee'
    Description: or לֵוִי; patronymically from לֵוִי; a Levite or descendant of Levi; Leviite.
  3. Strong's Number: H4872
    There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
    Transliteration: Môsheh
    Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
    Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
  4. Strong's Number: H175
    There are 480 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אַהֲרוֹן
    Transliteration: ʼAhărôwn
    Pronunciation: a-har-one'
    Description: of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses; Aaron.
  5. Strong's Number: H5387
    There are 120 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָשִׂיא
    Transliteration: nâsîyʼ
    Pronunciation: naw-see'
    Description: or נָשִׂא; from נָשָׂא; properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist; captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour.
  6. Strong's Number: H3478
    There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
    Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
    Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
    Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
  7. 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).
  8. 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).
  9. 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-'.

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