Numbers 4:22

KJV

Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;

KJV (with Strong's)

Take {H5375} also the sum {H7218} of the sons {H1121} of Gershon {H1648}, throughout the houses {H1004} of their fathers {H1}, by their families {H4940};

Complete Jewish Bible

"Take a census of the descendants of Gershon also, by clans and families;

Berean Standard Bible

“Take a census of the Gershonites as well, by their families and clans,

American Standard Version

Take the sum of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ houses, by their families;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 4:22 records a divine directive to Moses and Aaron, commanding a precise census of the Gershonite clan within the tribe of Levi. This instruction emphasizes the meticulous organization required for their sacred duties related to the Tabernacle, ensuring every male capable of service, from 30 to 50 years old, was properly identified and accounted for according to their ancestral lineage and familial divisions, underscoring God's demand for order and accountability in His service.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 4:22 is situated within a broader section of the Book of Numbers (chapters 1-4) that meticulously details the organization of Israel's camp and the specific roles of the Levites in relation to the Tabernacle. Following a general census of the fighting men of Israel in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The Census of Israel"), and the arrangement of the tribes around the Tabernacle in [Numbers 2](/numbers/2 "Numbers 2 - Arrangement of the Tribes"), God turns His attention to the tribe of Levi, who were set apart for sacred service instead of military duty. Chapter 3 outlines the general duties of the Levites and their three main families—Kohath, Gershon, and Merari—and their dedication to the Lord. Chapter 4 then narrows the focus, providing detailed instructions for the census of those Levites specifically aged 30 to 50, who were eligible for active service in transporting and maintaining the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness journey. Verses 1-15 deal with the Kohathites, who handled the most holy objects. Verses 21-28 concern the Gershonites, with verse 22 initiating their specific census, followed by their duties in verses 24-28. Finally, verses 29-33 address the Merarites. This precise ordering highlights God's meticulousness in establishing His worship and the practical logistics of His presence among His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for Numbers 4:22 is the wilderness journey of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, as they prepared to move from Mount Sinai. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, censuses were often conducted for military purposes, taxation, or labor organization. However, the Levitical census in Numbers was unique in its sacred purpose: to identify and organize those responsible for the holy work of the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle itself was the portable dwelling place of God, the center of Israel's spiritual life, symbolizing God's presence among His people (as commanded in [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - Command to Build the Tabernacle")). The Levites, unlike other tribes, received no territorial inheritance but were sustained by tithes and offerings, signifying their full dedication to divine service. The detailed instructions for the Gershonites, who were responsible for the Tabernacle's coverings, curtains, and hangings (as seen in [Numbers 4:24-26](/numbers/4-24 "Numbers 4:24-26 - Duties of the Gershonites")), underscore the immense value and sanctity placed on God's dwelling. This meticulous organization ensured the integrity and purity of their worship, reflecting a divine order that permeated every aspect of Israelite life.
* **Key Themes:** This passage, and indeed the entire section of [Numbers 1-4](/numbers/1-4 "Numbers 1-4 - Organization of Israel and the Levites"), powerfully communicates several core theological themes. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Order and Holiness**. God is not a God of chaos but of meticulous arrangement, particularly concerning His presence and worship. The detailed census and assignment of duties reflect His holy nature, demanding precision and reverence in all matters pertaining to the Tabernacle. Another significant theme is **Sacred Service and Responsibility**. The Levites, and specifically the Gershonites here, are set apart for a unique and vital role, emphasizing that service to God is a privilege that comes with specific duties and accountability. This foreshadows the New Testament understanding of spiritual gifts and diverse roles within the body of Christ, where each member has a function ([1 Corinthians 12:4-7](/1_corinthians/12-4 "1 Corinthians 12:4-7 - Diversity of Gifts, Unity in Spirit")). Finally, the passage highlights the theme of **God's Presence Among His People**. The entire elaborate organization of the camp and the Levites' duties serves the ultimate purpose of maintaining the purity and accessibility of the Tabernacle, which symbolized God's dwelling with Israel ([Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - Command to Build the Tabernacle")). The careful counting ensures that His presence is honored and properly attended to.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take also the sum (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ rôʼsh'_):** This phrase, combining H5375 (_nâsâʼ_, "to lift") and H7218 (_rôʼsh_, "the head"), forms a common biblical idiom for conducting a census or "taking a head count." Beyond mere enumeration, it implies a recognition and valuing of each individual. In this context, it signifies that each Gershonite male was not just a number but a person uniquely identified and designated for sacred service by divine command, highlighting their individual significance within the collective and the divine authority behind their appointment.
* **Gershon (Hebrew, _Gêrᵉshôwn'_):** From H1648, identifying the firstborn son of Levi and the progenitor of one of the three major Levitical clans (along with Kohath and Merari). The specific mention of Gershon here directs the census to this particular lineage, underscoring the specialized and hereditary nature of the Levitical service. Their descendants were allocated distinct duties related to the Tabernacle, specifically concerning its coverings, curtains, and hangings, as detailed later in [Numbers 4:24-26](/numbers/4-24 "Numbers 4:24-26 - Duties of the Gershonites").
* **Families (Hebrew, _mishpâchâh'_):** From H4940, referring to a "family," "clan," or "circle of relatives." The instruction to count "by their families" indicates a precise, hierarchical, and ancestral method of organization. This underscores the importance of lineage and familial identity in Israelite society, particularly for the Levites, whose roles were hereditary. This meticulous record-keeping ensured accountability, proper delegation of duties, and the preservation of their unique identity and purpose within God's meticulously ordered system.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon":** This opening command directly instructs Moses and Aaron to conduct a census specifically for the male descendants of Gershon. The phrase "take the sum" (Hebrew: _nasa rosh_) implies a careful, deliberate counting, not just a casual estimate. It signifies a divine mandate for precision and order in identifying those designated for service, highlighting the importance of each individual within the collective.
* **"throughout the houses of their fathers":** This phrase specifies the primary organizational unit for the census. "Houses of their fathers" refers to the patriarchal households or ancestral lineages within the Gershonite clan. It indicates that the counting was to be done according to established family lines, emphasizing the hereditary nature of their service and the importance of maintaining clear genealogical records for accountability and proper assignment of duties.
* **"by their families":** This further refines the organizational structure for the census. "Families" (Hebrew: _mishpachah_) refers to the smaller, more immediate family units or sub-clans within the larger "houses of their fathers." This level of detail underscores the meticulousness required by God in organizing His servants. It ensures that every single eligible male within the Gershonite clan was accounted for, leaving no room for oversight or ambiguity in their sacred responsibilities.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Repetition** and **Precision** as key literary devices. The repeated emphasis on "sum," "houses of their fathers," and "families" throughout Numbers 4, and specifically in verse 22, highlights the meticulous and comprehensive nature of the divine command. This **Repetition** serves to underscore the absolute necessity of order and accountability in sacred service. The device of **Precision** is evident in the detailed breakdown of the census by specific family lines, moving from the general "sons of Gershon" to the more specific "houses of their fathers" and then "by their families." This escalating specificity reflects God's demand for exactness in all matters pertaining to His Tabernacle and the people serving it. Furthermore, the very act of a **Census** itself, as a literary and administrative act, functions as a device to convey divine order, divine ownership, and the setting apart of a people for a specific purpose. It is not merely a practical count but a theological statement about God's sovereign organization of His chosen people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 4:22 profoundly illustrates God's character as a God of order, precision, and purpose. His meticulous instructions for the census of the Gershonites, and indeed all the Levites, reveal that divine service is not haphazard but requires careful organization, accountability, and the specific assignment of roles. This passage underscores the principle that every individual within God's plan has a designated place and responsibility, and that even seemingly mundane tasks related to sacred worship are to be carried out with utmost diligence and care. It speaks to the holiness of service and the importance of recognizing and equipping those called to specific ministries.

* [Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - Census for Atonement Money")
* [1 Corinthians 12:4-7](/1_corinthians/12-4 "1 Corinthians 12:4-7 - Diversity of Gifts, Unity in Spirit")
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for the Equipping of the Saints")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 4:22, though rooted in ancient Israel's Tabernacle service, offers timeless principles for believers today. It reminds us that God is a God of order, and He desires that His people, and His church, operate with intentionality and structure. Just as each Gershonite was counted and assigned a specific role, so too does God call every believer into a unique and vital place within the body of Christ. Our service, whether grand or seemingly small, contributes to the overall health and mission of the church. This verse challenges us to consider our own place within God's kingdom: Are we identified, equipped, and faithfully carrying out the responsibilities God has entrusted to us? Do we approach our service with the same diligence and respect for divine order that was demanded of the Gershonites? It encourages us to embrace our individual callings, understanding that our contributions, no matter how humble, are essential for the flourishing of God's work in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulousness of God's instructions in Numbers 4:22 challenge my own approach to organization and detail in my service to God and others?**
* **In what ways do I recognize and embrace my unique "family" or "household" within the broader body of Christ, and what specific responsibilities might God be calling me to fulfill?**
* **How can the principle of accountability, evident in the census, be applied to my spiritual life and my commitments within my faith community?**

### FAQ
**Why was this census of the Gershonites, and Levites in general, so specific and detailed?**

Answer: The census of the Gershonites, and indeed all the Levites, was highly specific and detailed because their service was uniquely sacred and critical to the proper functioning of the Tabernacle, God's dwelling place among His people. Unlike other tribes, the Levites were not counted for military service but for holy service. The detailed census ensured that every eligible male (aged 30-50, as specified in [Numbers 4:3](/numbers/4-3 "Numbers 4:3 - Age for Service")) was identified, organized by family, and assigned precise duties for the transport and maintenance of the Tabernacle and its sacred articles. This meticulousness reflected God's demand for order, purity, and accountability in all matters pertaining to His worship, ensuring that the holy things were handled correctly and reverently, and that responsibilities were clearly delegated to avoid chaos or sacrilege.

**What were the specific duties of the Gershonites compared to the other Levitical families?**

Answer: The Gershonites were one of the three major Levitical families, alongside the Kohathites and Merarites, each with distinct responsibilities for the Tabernacle. While the Kohathites were responsible for the most holy articles of the Tabernacle, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, and the Altars (as detailed in [Numbers 4:4-15](/numbers/4-4 "Numbers 4:4-15 - Duties of the Kohathites")), the Gershonites were tasked with the lighter, more textile-based components. Their specific duties, outlined in [Numbers 4:24-26](/numbers/4-24 "Numbers 4:24-26 - Duties of the Gershonites"), included carrying the Tabernacle curtains, the Tent of Meeting and its covering, the hangings of the court, the curtain for the door of the gate of the court, and their cords and instruments. The Merarites, on the other hand, were responsible for the heavier, structural elements like the frames, bars, pillars, and bases of the Tabernacle (see [Numbers 4:31-32](/numbers/4-31 "Numbers 4:31-32 - Duties of the Merarites")). This division of labor ensured efficiency, specialization, and proper care for every part of the sacred dwelling.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 4:22, with its emphasis on meticulous organization for sacred service, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ and the New Covenant community. While the Old Testament Levites were counted and assigned specific duties for the physical Tabernacle, Christ Himself is the true [Tabernacle](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the dwelling place of God among humanity, and the [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest") who perfectly fulfills all priestly functions. In the New Covenant, all believers are called to be a "holy priesthood" and a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Holy Priesthood") and [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), no longer serving a physical tent but participating in the spiritual temple of God. Just as the Gershonites had specific roles, so too does the Holy Spirit equip every believer with unique spiritual gifts for the building up of the body of Christ ([1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Gifts of the Spirit")). The meticulous order seen in Numbers foreshadows the divine design for the church, where every member is vital, accounted for, and purposed for service, contributing to the unified mission of proclaiming the gospel and manifesting God's presence in the world. The careful counting of the Gershonites underscores the value God places on each individual's contribution to His redemptive plan, now fully realized in the diverse and unified service of Christ's followers.

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

Numbers 3:21

Of Gershon [was] the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these [are] the families of the Gershonites.

Numbers 3:18

And these [are] the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei.

Numbers 3:24

And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites [shall be] Eliasaph the son of Lael.