Numbers 3:39

All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, [were] twenty and two thousand.

All that were numbered {H6485} of the Levites {H3881}, which Moses {H4872} and Aaron {H175} numbered {H6485} at the commandment {H6310} of the LORD {H3068}, throughout their families {H4940}, all the males {H2145} from a month {H2320} old {H1121} and upward {H4605}, were twenty {H6242} and two {H8147} thousand {H505}.

The total number of L'vi'im whom Moshe and Aharon counted by their clans, all the males a month old and over, was 22,000.

The total number of Levites that Moses and Aaron counted by their clans at the LORD’s command, including all the males a month old or more, was 22,000.

All that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of Jehovah, by their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand.

Commentary

Numbers 3:39 provides the summary count of the Levite males in the wilderness census, a critical detail in God's meticulous organization of the Israelite camp and the sacred service of the Tabernacle.

Context of the Verse

This verse concludes the specific enumeration of the tribe of Levi, as detailed throughout Numbers chapter 3. Unlike the other tribes of Israel, whose males twenty years and older were counted for military service (as seen in Numbers 1:3), the Levites were uniquely counted "from a month old and upward." This distinct criterion underscores their special purpose: they were set apart for holy service to the LORD, rather than for warfare. Moses and Aaron carried out this numbering precisely "at the commandment of the LORD," emphasizing the divine authority and intention behind this intricate structure of the Israelite community during their wilderness journey.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Order and Precision: The precise count of the Levites (twenty-two thousand), along with the specific age range for their census, highlights God's meticulous planning and desire for order in the worship and community life of His people. Every detail of Israel's journey and religious practice was divinely ordained, reflecting God's perfect design.
  • The Unique Role of the Levites: This verse, within the broader context of Numbers 3, defines the Levites' distinct calling. They were chosen by God to assist the priests (Aaron and his sons) in the administration and service of the Tabernacle. Their duties included bearing its components, setting it up, and dismantling it during Israel's nomadic travels, thereby "keeping the charge of the tabernacle" (Numbers 3:7) and protecting its holiness.
  • Substitution for the Firstborn: A profound theological theme connected to this enumeration is the Levites' role as a divine substitute for the firstborn sons of Israel. Numbers 3:12-13 explicitly states that the Levites were taken by God in place of all the firstborn males of Israel, whom God had claimed for Himself after sparing them during the Passover in Egypt (Exodus 13:2). This demonstrates God's ownership, provision, and the principle of redemption.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "at the commandment of the LORD" (Hebrew: al pi Adonai) is a foundational and frequently repeated phrase throughout the book of Numbers. It serves to underscore that these actions, including the census and the assignment of duties, were not human initiatives or arbitrary decisions but direct, authoritative instructions from God. The term "numbered" (Hebrew: paqad) in this context implies more than a mere statistical count; it signifies a divine act of surveying, setting apart, and organizing for a specific purpose.

Practical Application and Significance

Numbers 3:39, and the detailed account of the Levite census, reminds us that God is a God of order who assigns specific roles and responsibilities within His kingdom. Just as the Levites had a unique and vital calling to serve the Tabernacle, believers today are called to serve God in various capacities within the church and the broader world. Every member of God's spiritual house, the body of Christ, has a significant part to play (1 Corinthians 12:27). This verse also points to the overarching biblical theme of substitutionary service, a concept fully realized in Jesus Christ, who perfectly offered Himself as the ultimate servant and sacrifice for humanity's redemption (Mark 10:45).

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 26:62 (4 votes)

    And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.

  • Numbers 4:47 (2 votes)

    From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation,

  • Numbers 4:48 (2 votes)

    Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore.

  • Matthew 7:14 (2 votes)

    Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.