Numbers 26:57

KJV

¶ And these [are] they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites.

KJV (with Strong's)

And these are they that were numbered {H6485} of the Levites {H3881} after their families {H4940}: of Gershon {H1648}, the family {H4940} of the Gershonites {H1649}: of Kohath {H6955}, the family {H4940} of the Kohathites {H6956}: of Merari {H4847}, the family {H4940} of the Merarites {H4848}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those counted among the Levi, by their families, were: of Gershon, the family of the Gershuni, of K'hat, the family of the K'hati; and of M'rari, the family of the M'rari.

Berean Standard Bible

Now these were the Levites numbered by their clans: The Gershonite clan from Gershon, the Kohathite clan from Kohath, and the Merarite clan from Merari.

American Standard Version

And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites; of Merari, the family of the Merarites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:57 records the census of the Levites, distinct from the military census of the other tribes, identifying them by their three primary family divisions: the Gershonites, the Kohathites, and the Merarites. This enumeration, occurring on the plains of Moab before Israel's entry into Canaan, underscores God's meticulous order in preparing His people for their future inheritance and continued worship, emphasizing the unique and indispensable role of the Levitical tribe in the sacred service of the tabernacle.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:57 is situated within the second census of Israel, taken nearly 40 years after the first census recorded in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"). This census, conducted in the plains of Moab, served a dual purpose: to ascertain the number of men eligible for military service and, crucially, to prepare for the equitable distribution of the Promised Land based on tribal population sizes, as outlined in [Numbers 26:54](/numbers/26-54 "Numbers 26:54 - Land Distribution by Population"). Verses [26:57-62](/numbers/26-57 "Numbers 26:57-62 - The Levite Census") specifically detail the numbering of the Levites, highlighting their unique status and role apart from the other tribes. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites were not counted for warfare or land inheritance but for their sacred duties related to the tabernacle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, on the cusp of the Israelites' entry into the land of Canaan, marking the end of their wilderness wanderings. This census represents a new generation, as the previous generation, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, had perished due to their disobedience and unbelief (as recounted in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Judgment")). Culturally, the meticulous numbering of clans and families was vital for tribal identity, social organization, and the allocation of responsibilities. For the Levites, their distinct role as custodians of the tabernacle and mediators of worship was paramount, ensuring the continuity of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. Their exclusion from military service and land inheritance was a unique divine provision, emphasizing their full devotion to sacred duties.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several overarching themes in Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Order and Organization**. God's meticulous attention to detail, from the numbering of individuals to the assignment of specific roles within the Levitical families, demonstrates His sovereign and orderly nature in establishing the framework for His people's national and spiritual life. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Distinct Roles and Responsibilities** within the community of faith. The division of the Levites into Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites, each with specialized duties related to the tabernacle's components (as detailed in [Numbers 3](/numbers/3 "Numbers 3 - Duties of the Levites")), highlights that different parts of God's work require diverse gifts and dedicated service. Lastly, the census of the Levites, despite the failures of the previous generation, signifies the **Continuity of Covenant Service**. It ensures that the sacred duties of worship and mediation would persist, preparing the new generation to inherit the promises and maintain the spiritual life of the nation in the Promised Land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Levites (Hebrew, לֵוִי, _Levi_):** Refers to the descendants of Levi, one of Jacob's sons, who were divinely chosen and set apart from the other tribes of Israel for sacred service to God. Their unique status meant they did not receive a territorial inheritance in Canaan but were supported by tithes and offerings from the other tribes. Their primary function was to minister to the Lord in the tabernacle, and later the temple, carrying out duties related to its care, transport, and the sacrificial system.
* **Families (Hebrew, מִשְׁפְּחֹת, _mishpachot_):** This term denotes the clans or subdivisions within a larger tribe, emphasizing lineage and kinship groups. In the context of the Levites, these "families" were not merely genealogical distinctions but functional units, each assigned specific, non-overlapping responsibilities in the service of the tabernacle. This highlights the structured and organized nature of their sacred duties, ensuring that every aspect of the sanctuary's operation was meticulously covered by designated groups.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And these [are] they that were numbered of the Levites after their families:"** This introductory clause sets the stage for the specific census of the tribe of Levi, distinguishing it from the general census of fighting men that preceded it in Numbers 26. It emphasizes that the Levites, though part of Israel, were counted according to a different purpose—their familial divisions for sacred service rather than military readiness. The phrase "after their families" immediately signals that the enumeration will focus on their internal clan structure, which was crucial for their assigned roles.
* **"of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites:"** This identifies the first of Levi's three sons, Gershon, and his descendants, the Gershonites. As detailed elsewhere (e.g., [Numbers 3:25-26](/numbers/3-25 "Numbers 3:25-26 - Duties of the Gershonites")), this family was primarily responsible for the lighter, textile components of the tabernacle, including its coverings, curtains, and hangings, and their transport. Their duties were essential for the aesthetic and protective elements of the sanctuary.
* **"of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites:"** This names Kohath, Levi's second son, and his descendants, the Kohathites. This family bore the most sacred and sensitive responsibilities, as they were tasked with carrying the holy vessels of the tabernacle, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Menorah, and the Altars (see [Numbers 3:31](/numbers/3-31 "Numbers 3:31 - Duties of the Kohathites")). Moses and Aaron themselves belonged to the Kohathite family, underscoring the immense spiritual significance and direct access to the holiest objects entrusted to them.
* **"of Merari, the family of the Merarites."** This refers to Merari, Levi's third son, and his descendants, the Merarites. Their duties involved the heavier, structural components of the tabernacle, including its frames, bars, pillars, sockets, and pegs (as described in [Numbers 3:36-37](/numbers/3-36 "Numbers 3:36-37 - Duties of the Merarites")). Their work was foundational for the physical stability, assembly, and disassembly of the portable sanctuary, ensuring it could be erected and moved according to divine command.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:57 primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Repetition** to convey its message. The verse systematically lists the three primary Levitical families, providing a clear and ordered account of the tribal subdivisions. The repeated phrase "the family of the [X]-ites" (e.g., "the family of the Gershonites") serves to emphasize the distinct lineage and corporate identity of each clan within the larger tribe of Levi. This **Emphasis on Lineage** is crucial, as it underpins the specific, divinely appointed roles and responsibilities assigned to each group. The meticulous naming and categorization reflect a broader biblical pattern of divine order and precision, particularly in matters pertaining to sacred service and the covenant community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:57, by detailing the distinct families of the Levites and their unique roles, profoundly illustrates God's commitment to order, purpose, and the specialized gifting within His covenant community. The very structure of the Levitical service—where each family had a specific, non-overlapping, and essential function—prefigures the New Testament understanding of the church as the body of Christ, where diverse members contribute unique gifts for the common good and the building up of the whole. This divine blueprint for ordered service underscores that every task, whether carrying the holiest objects or the heaviest frames, was vital for the proper functioning of the tabernacle and, by extension, the spiritual life of Israel. It speaks to the theological truth that God is a God of order, not chaos, and that He delights in His people serving Him with intentionality and according to their divine appointments.

* [1 Corinthians 12:4-7](/1_corinthians/12-4 "1 Corinthians 12:4-7 - Diversity of Gifts, Unity in Spirit")
* [Romans 12:4-8](/romans/12-4 "Romans 12:4-8 - Gifts for Service")
* [Ephesians 4:11-13](/ephesians/4-11 "Ephesians 4:11-13 - Gifts for Building Up the Body")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:57 invites us to reflect on the profound truth that every role within God's kingdom, no matter how seemingly small or grand, is significant and divinely purposed. Just as the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites each had indispensable tasks for the tabernacle's operation, so too does every believer possess unique gifts and a vital calling within the body of Christ. This verse challenges us to embrace our specific responsibilities with diligence and humility, recognizing that our individual contributions, when offered in unity, enable the collective work of God's church to flourish. It encourages us to look beyond perceived prestige and instead value the essential nature of all service, understanding that God delights in order, faithfulness, and the harmonious functioning of His people. Our lives, like the Levitical families, are meant to be ordered and purposed for His glory, contributing to the ongoing spiritual health and mission of His people in the world today.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous organization of the Levitical families challenge my understanding of order and purpose in my own service to God?**
* **What specific gifts or responsibilities do I believe God has entrusted to me, and how am I faithfully stewarding them for the good of His church?**
* **In what ways can I better appreciate and affirm the diverse roles and contributions of others within my faith community, recognizing their essential part in God's work?**

### FAQ

**Why were the Levites counted separately and not for military service or land inheritance?**

Answer: The Levites were counted separately and exempted from military service and land inheritance because they were set apart by God for a unique and sacred purpose: to serve Him directly in the tabernacle (and later the temple). As detailed in [Numbers 3:12-13](/numbers/3-12 "Numbers 3:12-13 - Levites Consecrated to the Lord"), God took the Levites as His own, in place of the firstborn of all the tribes, to perform the duties of the sanctuary. Their primary inheritance was the Lord Himself, and they were sustained by the tithes and offerings of the other tribes. This distinct calling ensured that a dedicated group was always available to maintain the spiritual life of the nation, oversee the sacrificial system, and mediate between God and the people, without the distractions of warfare or agricultural pursuits.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous organization and distinct roles of the Levitical families, as enumerated in Numbers 26:57, find their ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. The entire system of the tabernacle, with its priests and Levites, was a shadow pointing to the reality of Christ. The Levites' service, particularly the Kohathites' sacred duty of carrying the Ark of the Covenant, foreshadowed Christ's role as the ultimate carrier of God's presence and the mediator of the new covenant. He is not merely a priest from the tribe of Levi but a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek ([Hebrews 7:11-17](/hebrews/7-11 "Hebrews 7:11-17 - A Priest Like Melchizedek")). Through His perfect sacrifice and resurrection, Christ has inaugurated a new covenant where the need for a separate priestly class is superseded. Now, all believers are constituted as a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), empowered by the Holy Spirit to offer spiritual sacrifices ([Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices of Praise and Good Deeds")) and serve God directly. The order and purpose seen in the Levitical structure are now realized in the diverse yet unified body of Christ, where every member is gifted and called to participate in the ongoing mission of God, with Christ Himself as the head and the true sanctuary ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 46:11

And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

1 Chronicles 6:1

¶ The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Exodus 6:16

And these [are] the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi [were] an hundred thirty and seven years.

Exodus 6:19

And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these [are] the families of Levi according to their generations.

1 Chronicles 6:16

The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

1 Chronicles 6:30

Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.

Numbers 3:1

¶ These also [are] the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day [that] the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai.