Numbers 4:48

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Even those that were numbered {H6485} of them, were eight {H8083} thousand {H505} and five {H2568} hundred {H3967} and fourscore {H8084}.

Complete Jewish Bible

yielded a total of 8,580 persons.

Berean Standard Bible

And the number of men was 8,580.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 4:48 serves as the concluding summation of a meticulous census of the Levite clans, specifically detailing the grand total of men from the Kohathite, Gershonite, and Merarite families who met the stringent age requirements (typically 30 to 50 years old) for active service in the Tabernacle. This verse highlights the divine precision and organizational foresight inherent in God's wilderness economy, ensuring that every individual designated for sacred duty was accounted for and prepared for their vital role in transporting and maintaining the holy dwelling place of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 4:48 stands as the culmination of an intensely detailed section within the Book of Numbers, specifically chapters 1-4. The broader narrative of Numbers chronicles Israel's journey from Sinai through the wilderness, emphasizing divine order, meticulous organization, and the preparation of a holy people for entry into the Promised Land. Chapters 1-3 establish the general census of the twelve tribes for military purposes and then introduce the Levites as a distinct tribe set apart for sacred service, not warfare. Chapter 4 then narrows its focus exclusively to the Levites, detailing the specific duties and the required age parameters for service for each of the three major Levite families: the Kohathites, who were responsible for the most holy furnishings like the Ark of the Covenant; the Gershonites, tasked with the Tabernacle coverings and curtains; and the Merarites, who carried the framework, pillars, and bases. Verses like [Numbers 4:3](/numbers/4-3 "Numbers 4:3 - Age for Levite Service") introduce the age requirements, and the preceding verses [Numbers 4:36](/numbers/4-36 "Numbers 4:36 - Census of the Kohathites"), [Numbers 4:41](/numbers/4-41 "Numbers 4:41 - Census of the Gershonites"), and [Numbers 4:45](/numbers/4-45 "Numbers 4:45 - Census of the Merarites") provide the individual counts for each family. Verse 48 consolidates these individual totals into a single, comprehensive figure, underscoring the completeness of the divine inventory.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, censuses were often conducted for military conscription, taxation, or labor forces. However, the census of the Levites in Numbers 4 was unique. It was not for military service, as the Levites were exempt from general military duty (cf. [Numbers 1:49](/numbers/1-49 "Numbers 1:49 - Levites Not Numbered for War")). Instead, their numbering was specifically for sacred service related to the Tabernacle, which represented God's dwelling among His people. This meticulous counting reflected the immense importance of the Tabernacle and its components. As Israel journeyed through the wilderness, the Tabernacle had to be regularly dismantled, transported, and reassembled. This required an organized, dedicated, and physically capable workforce. The specific age range (30-50) for active service, as seen in [Numbers 4:3](/numbers/4-3 "Numbers 4:3 - Age for Levite Service"), indicated a period of physical strength, maturity, and accumulated wisdom, suitable for the demanding and precise tasks involved in handling holy objects. The very act of numbering these men underscored the divine order and the practical necessity of knowing exactly who was available and prepared for these crucial duties in a nomadic setting.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _paqad'_):** While often translated simply as "numbered" or "counted," the Hebrew verb _paqad_ carries a richer semantic range. It implies more than a mere statistical tally; it suggests an act of "visiting," "inspecting," "appointing," or "mustering" for a specific purpose. In this context, it signifies that these Levites were not just randomly counted but were divinely identified, inspected, and designated for their sacred duties. It speaks to God's active involvement in their selection and assignment, highlighting their special status and the divine oversight of their service.
* **Fourscore (English, _archaic_):** This term, found in the King James Version, is an archaic English word meaning "eighty." Its inclusion here simply reflects the KJV's linguistic style. In the original Hebrew, the number is explicitly stated as "eighty" (שמונים, _shmonim_). The use of such precise numerical figures throughout the census underscores the meticulousness of the divine record-keeping and the literal accuracy with which the Levite workforce was accounted for, leaving no ambiguity about the total number of eligible men.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Even those that were numbered of them":** This clause refers back to the preceding detailed counts of the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites who met the specific criteria for Tabernacle service. The phrase "of them" clearly indicates that the total is derived from the sum of the previously enumerated groups, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of this final tally. It highlights that this is not a new group, but the aggregate of those already identified and qualified.
* **"were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore":** This provides the precise numerical summation of all eligible Levite men from the three families, totaling 8,580. The exactness of the number underscores the divine precision and the thoroughness of the census. It signifies the complete and final accounting of the workforce dedicated to the sacred task of managing the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness journey, ensuring that the critical logistical and spiritual needs of the community were met through an organized and accountable system.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 4:48 is **Enumeration** and **Culmination**. The verse provides a precise numerical summary, serving as the final tally after a series of detailed counts for each Levite family. This meticulous **Enumeration** throughout Numbers 4 emphasizes divine order, precision, and the importance God placed on the organization of His people and their service. The exactness of the figures, down to the last individual, reinforces the concept of divine oversight and the specificity of each role within the Tabernacle ministry. The verse also functions as a **Culmination**, bringing closure to the extensive census records of the Levites, providing a definitive total that summarizes all the preceding individual counts. This literary technique offers a sense of completion and finality to this particular administrative section of the book.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 4:48, in its simple numerical summation, powerfully reinforces several profound theological and thematic truths. It speaks to God's inherent nature as a God of order, not chaos, demonstrating His meticulous attention to detail in the organization of His people and their sacred duties. The precise numbering of the Levites for specific service underscores the principle of dedicated service and accountability within the community of faith, where every individual has a divinely appointed role. This census was not merely an administrative exercise but a divine act of preparing a people for their journey and their worship, highlighting that effective ministry and communal life require structure, readiness, and the faithful stewardship of gifts and callings.

* [1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Gifts, Unity in the Spirit")
* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Order, Not Confusion")
* [Romans 12:4-5](/romans/12-4 "Romans 12:4-5 - Many Members, One Body")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific context of transporting a physical Tabernacle no longer applies to believers today, the enduring principles embedded in Numbers 4:48 remain profoundly relevant for our spiritual lives and the functioning of the church. This verse reminds us that God is a God of order and purpose, and He calls His people to be organized and intentional in their service. Just as the Levites were numbered and assigned specific tasks, so too are believers today gifted and called to contribute uniquely to the body of Christ. Every role, no matter how seemingly small, is vital for the effective functioning of God's kingdom. We are called to identify our spiritual gifts, embrace our God-given responsibilities, and serve with diligence and accountability, recognizing that our collective efforts build up the church and advance the gospel. This precision in counting also encourages us to be good stewards of our time, talents, and resources, ensuring that our lives are lived with purpose and dedication to God's glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous organization of the Levites for Tabernacle service challenge my own approach to spiritual disciplines or church involvement?**
* **In what ways do I recognize and value the diverse gifts and roles within my local church community, similar to how each Levite family had a distinct, vital function?**
* **What specific "service" or "task" might God be numbering me for in this season of my life, and how can I prepare myself to fulfill it with diligence and accountability?**
* **How does the concept of God's divine order, as seen in this census, bring comfort or conviction to my understanding of His sovereignty in my life and in the world?**

### FAQ

**Why was this specific census of Levites so important?**

Answer: This census was crucial because it identified and organized the specific workforce responsible for the Tabernacle's meticulous care, dismantling, transportation, and reassembly during Israel's wilderness journey. Unlike other tribes numbered for military service, the Levites were set apart for sacred duties, ensuring that the holy objects and structure of God's dwelling place were handled with the utmost precision and reverence. It ensured accountability, readiness, and divine order for a critical aspect of Israel's communal and spiritual life, as detailed in [Numbers 4](/numbers/4 "Numbers 4 - Duties of the Levites").

**What does "fourscore" mean in this verse?**

Answer: In the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, "fourscore" is an archaic English term that simply means eighty. Therefore, "eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore" translates to 8,580. This straightforward numerical summation emphasizes the precision of the census without complex linguistic nuances in the original Hebrew, highlighting the exactness of the divine record.

**How do these numbers relate to the overall Levite population?**

Answer: The number 8,580 in [Numbers 4:48](/numbers/4-48 "Numbers 4:48 - Total Levites for Service") represents only the Levite men between the ages of 30 and 50 who were eligible for active Tabernacle service. This is a subset of the total male Levite population. Earlier in Numbers, [Numbers 3:39](/numbers/3-39 "Numbers 3:39 - Total Levite Males") records the total number of male Levites from one month old and upward as 22,000. This distinction highlights that while all Levites were set apart, only a specific age group was designated for the demanding physical and spiritual responsibilities of handling the Tabernacle's components.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous numbering and dedicated service of the Levites, as summarized in Numbers 4:48, powerfully foreshadow the perfect and ultimate service rendered by Jesus Christ. The Levites were tasked with bearing the physical presence of God in the Tabernacle, a temporary dwelling place that symbolized God's desire to dwell among His people. This entire system, with its precise counts and specific duties, pointed to the need for a mediator and a perfect sacrifice. Jesus Christ is the true and eternal "Tabernacle" among us, for in Him "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He perfectly fulfills the Levites' role, not by carrying a physical tent, but by embodying the very presence of God and making true access to God possible. As the ultimate High Priest, Christ's service was not limited by age or physical strength, but was a singular, perfect, and eternal offering of Himself ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's One Sacrifice")). The Levites' diligent counting for service anticipates how Christ perfectly fulfills every requirement of God's redemptive plan, and through His finished work, He calls His new covenant people—the church—to a spiritual service that is no longer tied to a physical structure but to the spread of His kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")). Thus, the order and dedication seen in Numbers 4:48 find their ultimate meaning and fulfillment in the person and work of Christ, who perfectly accomplished all that the Old Testament system could only foreshadow.

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 3:39

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.

Matthew 7:14

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

Matthew 20:16

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Matthew 22:15

¶ Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in [his] talk.