Numbers 4:36

KJV

And those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.

KJV (with Strong's)

And those that were numbered {H6485} of them by their families {H4940} were two thousand {H505} seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} and fifty {H2572}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Registered by their families, they numbered 2,750.

Berean Standard Bible

And those numbered by their clans totaled 2,750.

American Standard Version

and those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 4:36 meticulously records the final tally of the Kohathite clan, specifying that two thousand seven hundred and fifty males, aged between thirty and fifty, were counted and designated for the sacred service of transporting the Tabernacle's most holy furnishings. This precise statistic underscores God's divine order, His meticulous attention to detail, and the careful preparation of His people for their weighty responsibilities in the wilderness journey, highlighting the indispensable role of every individual in His grand design.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers chapter 4 provides a detailed exposition of the specific duties assigned to the three main Levite clans—the Kohathites, the Gershonites, and the Merarites—who were consecrated for service related to the Tabernacle. Following the broader census of the entire Israelite community documented in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel") and [Numbers 3](/numbers/3 "Numbers 3 - The Levites' Role"), this chapter narrows its focus to the functional organization of the Levites, particularly those within the prime age range of thirty to fifty years, as mandated in [Numbers 4:3](/numbers/4-3 "Numbers 4:3 - Age for Tabernacle Service"). Numbers 4:36 specifically concludes the census for the Kohathites, who were entrusted with the most sacred and dangerous task: carrying the holy objects of the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, and the altars, as delineated in [Numbers 4:4-15](/numbers/4-4-15 "Numbers 4:4-15 - Kohathite Duties and Responsibilities"). The preceding verses, [Numbers 4:34-35](/numbers/4-34-35 "Numbers 4:34-35 - Numbering of the Kohathites"), describe the precise execution of this census by Moses and Aaron, leading directly to the summary statement of their total number in verse 36.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Numbers recounts Israel's forty-year sojourn through the wilderness, a formative period characterized by divine instruction, spiritual discipline, and practical organization for a nomadic people. The Tabernacle, serving as God's portable dwelling place among His people, was the focal point of their existence, symbolizing His tangible presence and guiding their movements. The detailed census of the Levites, including the specific age parameters for service, transcended mere administration; it was a critical preparation for the arduous and spiritually weighty work of dismantling, transporting, and reassembling the Tabernacle. In a society where tribal identity, familial lineage, and communal responsibility were paramount, the meticulous counting "by their families" (a recurring theme throughout [Numbers](/numbers/1 "The Book of Numbers")) ensured accountability, preserved tribal integrity, and reinforced the hereditary nature of the Levites' unique priestly and service roles. This intricate organization was indispensable for maintaining order, preventing chaos, and ensuring the reverent and proper handling of sacred objects in the challenging and often dangerous wilderness environment.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 4:36 contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Order and Holiness**, illustrating God's meticulous nature and His demand for precision in all matters related to His worship and presence. The exact numbering of the Kohathites for their specific duties underscores the theme of **Divine Calling and Equipping**, demonstrating that God not only calls individuals to serve but also ensures they are sufficient in number and adequately prepared for their assigned tasks. This verse also highlights the theme of **Stewardship and Responsibility**, as each "numbered" individual was entrusted with a vital and sacred responsibility related to the presence of God among His people. Furthermore, it subtly foreshadows the New Testament concept of the body of Christ, where every member is uniquely gifted and essential for the functioning of the whole, reflecting God's design for communal, ordered service, as seen in [1 Corinthians 12](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts and the Body of Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** The Hebrew verb פָּקַד (_pâqad_, H6485) is a multifaceted term that means "to visit," "to inspect," "to muster," "to appoint," or "to count." In this context, it signifies an official enrollment or census, specifically for the purpose of assigning and preparing individuals for sacred service. It implies a deliberate, precise act of divine accounting, where each person is not merely tallied but also recognized, designated, and consecrated for a specific role within God's meticulously ordered plan. This is not a casual count but an authoritative registration for holy duty, emphasizing the divine initiative and oversight.
* **Families (Hebrew, _mishpâchâh'_):** The Hebrew word מִשְׁפָּחָה (_mishpâchâh_, H4940) refers to a family, clan, or extended household. Its inclusion here underscores the deeply structured, tribal organization of ancient Israel and, specifically, the Levites. Service was not an individualistic endeavor but was deeply rooted in one's familial and clan identity, reinforcing the communal nature of their sacred responsibilities and ensuring that duties were passed down through established and recognized lineages. This also provided a framework for accountability and order within the larger community.
* **Two thousand seven hundred and fifty (Hebrew, _ʼeleph_ H505, _shebaʻ_ H7651, _mêʼâh_ H3967, _chămishshîym_ H2572):** This precise numerical figure is profoundly significant. It highlights the meticulousness of God's instructions and the exactitude with which they were carried out by Moses and Aaron. The specificity of the number, down to the last individual, indicates a complete and accurate count, ensuring that sufficient and precisely quantified manpower was available for the physically demanding and spiritually weighty tasks assigned to the Kohathites. This level of detail underscores divine foresight, provision, and the inherent value of each person within the divine plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And those that were numbered of them":** This opening phrase identifies the subjects of the census: the Kohathites, the specific Levite clan whose active members are being tallied. The act of "numbering" (from _pâqad_) indicates a divinely commanded and executed census, not merely a human administrative task. It signifies a process of identification, selection, and designation for sacred service, highlighting God's active and intentional involvement in organizing His people for His purposes.
* **"by their families":** This clause emphasizes the structured and orderly nature of the census. The counting was conducted strictly according to established familial and clan divisions, reinforcing the tribal identity and the hereditary nature of the Levites' service. This method ensured that every eligible male within the designated age range from each Kohathite family was accurately accounted for, maintaining a clear system of organization and accountability.
* **"were two thousand seven hundred and fifty":** This is the precise total number of Kohathite males, aged 30 to 50, who were qualified and designated for active Tabernacle service. This exact figure, rather than a rounded approximation, underscores the divine precision and the sufficiency of the workforce appointed for the weighty task of transporting the holy components of the Tabernacle. It ensures that God's dwelling place could be moved reverently, efficiently, and with the necessary manpower, reflecting His perfect planning.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device evident in Numbers 4:36, and indeed throughout the census accounts in the book of Numbers, is **Precision** or **Exactitude**. The specific numerical count ("two thousand seven hundred and fifty") is not a generalized or rounded figure but an exact tally. This meticulous detail emphasizes the absolute precision of God's divine order and the faithful, accurate execution of His commands by Moses and Aaron. This precision underscores the profound importance of every individual within the divine plan and highlights the sufficiency of the appointed workforce for the sacred tasks. Additionally, there is an element of **Repetition** in the broader context of Numbers 4, as similar census summaries are systematically provided for the Gershonites and Merarites following the Kohathites. This consistent structural pattern reinforces the overarching theme of divine organization and the systematic assignment of distinct duties to each Levite clan, highlighting the comprehensive and orderly nature of God's administration over His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 4:36, though a seemingly simple statistic, profoundly illustrates several core theological truths. It speaks to God's inherent nature as a God of order, precision, and intentionality, demonstrating His meticulous care in organizing His people for His specific purposes. The precise numbering of the Kohathites for their sacred duties underscores the principle of divine calling and equipping—God not only calls individuals to service but also ensures they are sufficient in number and perfectly prepared for the task at hand. This verse highlights the importance of faithful stewardship, as each "numbered" individual was entrusted with a vital and weighty responsibility related to the very presence of God among His people. It also subtly foreshadows the New Testament concept of the body of Christ, where every member is uniquely gifted and essential for the functioning of the whole, reflecting God's design for communal, ordered, and purposeful service.

* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God Is a God of Order")
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for the Equipping of the Saints")
* [Romans 12:4-5](/romans/12-4-5 "Romans 12:4-5 - Many Members, One Body in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 4:36, while detailing an ancient census, offers timeless and profound principles for believers today. Just as God meticulously "numbered" and organized the Kohathites for their specific and vital role in serving the Tabernacle, so too does He orchestrate and equip His people for service under the New Covenant. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is a God of order, not chaos, and that diligence, thorough preparation, and clear roles are foundational to effective ministry and spiritual flourishing. It encourages us to recognize that every believer is "counted" and possesses a unique and indispensable place within the body of Christ. No spiritual gift is too small, no task too insignificant, when performed with faithfulness and for God's glory. We are called to prayerfully identify, diligently develop, and faithfully steward the spiritual gifts and talents God has entrusted to us, understanding that we are part of a larger, divinely ordered plan to advance His kingdom and manifest His presence in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine precision evident in Numbers 4:36 challenge my own approach to order, diligence, and accountability in my personal life and service to God?**
* **In what specific ways am I actively using my unique gifts and talents, which God has "numbered" and bestowed upon me, for the building up and strengthening of His church?**
* **How can I better recognize, affirm, and celebrate the diverse roles and contributions of others within the body of Christ, understanding that every "number" and every member is essential to the whole?**

### FAQ
**Why was the age range for Levite service specifically 30 to 50 years old?**

Answer: The age range of 30 to 50 years for active Tabernacle service, as meticulously outlined in [Numbers 4:3](/numbers/4-3 "Numbers 4:3 - Age for Tabernacle Service"), was chosen for a combination of practical and spiritual reasons. Practically, this period generally represents the peak of a man's physical strength, endurance, and vigor, which were essential for the strenuous and demanding duties of dismantling, carrying, and reassembling the heavy and cumbersome components of the Tabernacle. Spiritually and experientially, individuals in this age bracket would have attained a significant level of maturity, wisdom, and a deeper understanding of the profound sacredness of their duties, having lived through various life experiences and observed the divine commands over a longer period. This specific age range ensured that those entrusted with handling the holy objects were not only physically capable but also spiritually prepared, responsible, and reverent in their sacred calling.

**What was the significance of counting the Levites "by their families"?**

Answer: Counting the Levites "by their families" (or clans) was profoundly significant within the ancient Israelite context, reflecting the foundational structure of their society. This method, emphasized throughout the census accounts in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel") and [Numbers 4](/numbers/4 "Numbers 4 - Duties of the Levites"), underscored the tribal and familial organization of Israelite society. For the Levites, it reinforced the hereditary nature of their priestly and service roles, ensuring that the sacred duties were passed down through specific, designated lineages within the Kohathite, Gershonite, and Merarite clans. This approach also provided a clear system of accountability and organization, allowing for the precise assignment of tasks and responsibilities to specific family units. This meticulous familial accounting was crucial for maintaining order, preventing confusion, and ensuring the reverent and efficient operation of the Tabernacle and the wilderness encampment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 4:36, with its meticulous counting and equipping of the Kohathites for sacred service related to the Tabernacle, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. The Old Testament Tabernacle, with its specific rituals, designated spaces, and consecrated servants, was a divinely appointed shadow, pointing forward to the ultimate reality found in Christ. Jesus is the quintessential High Priest, who, through His perfect and once-for-all sacrifice, fulfilled and transcended the need for a physical Tabernacle and its intricate services, as powerfully articulated in [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ, Our High Priest and His Perfect Sacrifice"). Under the New Covenant, the "numbering" for service is no longer confined to a specific tribe, lineage, or age group, nor is it for the physical transport of a tent and its furnishings. Instead, through Christ's redemptive work, all believers are "numbered" and called into a "royal priesthood" and a "holy nation" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood and Holy Nation")), empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to serve God and build up His spiritual temple, which is the Church ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Built on the Foundation of Christ")). The precise organization and assignment of duties seen in Numbers foreshadows the divine order and functional diversity within the body of Christ, where every member, though diverse in gifting and role, is essential, "numbered" for a unique purpose, and indispensable in advancing God's kingdom ([1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ and Its Many Members")). Our service now is spiritual, offered through Christ, who perfectly accomplished the work of reconciliation, making us all acceptable and fully equipped to participate in His ongoing mission to glorify God and spread His truth.

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.