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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 1:49 "Do not number the tribe of Levi in the census with the other Israelites.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/1-49.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/04_Num_01_49.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 1:49 - The Exemption of the Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not number the tribe of Levi in the census with the other Israelites." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/1-48.htm" title="Numbers 1:48">◄</a> Numbers 1:49 <a href="/numbers/1-50.htm" title="Numbers 1:50">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the census of the other Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Do not include the tribe of Levi in the registration; do not count them with the rest of the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Only the tribe of Levi you shall not list, and you shall not take a census of them among the people of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not number the tribe of Levi in the census with the other Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor take a census of them among the children of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Only the tribe of Levi you shall not count, nor shall you take their census among the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor shall you take their census among the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor shall you take their census among the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor shall you take their census among the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor shall you take their census among the sons of Israel [since they are unavailable to go to war].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not register or take a census of the tribe of Levi with the other Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not register or take a census of the tribe of Levi with the other Israelites. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Only the tribe of Levi thou shall not number, neither shalt thou take the sum of them among the children of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When you count the Israelites, do not include those from the Levi tribe. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Only the tribe of Levi thou shalt not number, neither shalt thou take the sum of them among the children of Israel:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Don't register the tribe of Levi or include them in the census with the other Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"When you take a census of the men fit for military service, do not include the tribe of Levi. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Be sure not to number or count the tribe of Levi with the rest of the Israelis. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Do not number the tribe of Levi in the census with the other Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Only the tribe of Levi you must not number or count with the other Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, neither shall you take a census of them among the children of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Only the tribe of Levi you shall not count, neither shall you take a census of them among the children of Israel; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Only the tribe of Levi you do not number, and you do not take up their census in the midst of the sons of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Only, the tribe of Levi thou dost not number, and their sum thou dost not take up in the midst of the sons of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />But the tribe of Levi thou shalt not review, and their head thou shalt not take in the midst of the sons of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Number not the tribe of Levi, neither shalt thou put down the sum of them with the children of Israel: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“Do not number the tribe of Levi, neither shall you take a total of them with the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The tribe of Levi alone you shall not enroll nor include in the census along with the other Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Only the tribe of Levi you shall not enroll, and you shall not take a census of them with the other Israelites.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The tribe of Levi you shall not number and their computation you shall not take among the sons of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Howbeit the tribe of Levi thou shalt not number, neither shalt thou take the sum of them among the children of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />See, thou shalt not muster the tribe of Levi, and thou shalt not take their numbers, in the midst of the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/1-49.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=352" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/1.htm">The Exemption of the Levites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">48</span>For the LORD had said to Moses: <span class="reftext">49</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">“</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6485.htm" title="6485: ṯip̄·qōḏ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To attend to, visit, muster, appoint. A primitive root; to visit; by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.">number</a> <a href="/hebrew/4294.htm" title="4294: maṭ·ṭêh (N-msc) -- Or mattah; from natah; a branch; figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising, ruling, throwing, or walking.">the tribe</a> <a href="/hebrew/3878.htm" title="3878: lê·wî (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him. From lavah; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob.">of Levi</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rō·šām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">in the census</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: ṯiś·śā (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: bə·ṯō·wḵ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the other Israelites.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></a> </span><span class="reftext">50</span>Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/2-33.htm">Numbers 2:33</a></span><br />But the Levites were not counted among the other Israelites, as the LORD had commanded Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/26-62.htm">Numbers 26:62</a></span><br />The registration of the Levites totaled 23,000, every male a month old or more; they were not numbered among the other Israelites, because no inheritance was given to them among the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-8.htm">Deuteronomy 10:8</a></span><br />At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-1.htm">Deuteronomy 18:1-2</a></span><br />The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/13-14.htm">Joshua 13:14</a></span><br />To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/18-7.htm">Joshua 18:7</a></span><br />The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-49.htm">1 Chronicles 6:49</a></span><br />But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the Most Holy Place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-26.htm">1 Chronicles 23:26</a></span><br />So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-32.htm">1 Chronicles 23:32</a></span><br />So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-28.htm">Ezekiel 44:28</a></span><br />In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-5.htm">Hebrews 7:5</a></span><br />Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-12.htm">Hebrews 7:12-14</a></span><br />For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well. / He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. / For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-27.htm">Hebrews 7:27</a></span><br />Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/8-3.htm">Hebrews 8:3-5</a></span><br />And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer. / Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law. / The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-6.htm">Hebrews 9:6-7</a></span><br />When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Only you shall not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/2-33.htm">Numbers 2:33</a></b></br> But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/26-62.htm">Numbers 26:62</a></b></br> 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.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/1-2.htm">Census</a> <a href="/numbers/1-45.htm">Children</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-52.htm">Count</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-26.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-27.htm">Include</a> <a href="/numbers/1-45.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/1-45.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/numbers/1-47.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/numbers/1-47.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/numbers/1-47.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/1-2.htm">Sum</a> <a href="/numbers/1-47.htm">Tribe</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/4-2.htm">Census</a> <a href="/numbers/1-53.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/3-15.htm">Count</a> <a href="/numbers/13-28.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/numbers/28-22.htm">Include</a> <a href="/numbers/1-52.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/1-52.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/numbers/3-6.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/numbers/2-17.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/numbers/2-4.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/4-2.htm">Sum</a> <a href="/numbers/2-5.htm">Tribe</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/1-1.htm">God commands Moses to number the people</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/1-5.htm">The princes of the tribes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/1-17.htm">The number of every tribe</a></span><br><span class="reftext">47. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/1-47.htm">The Levites are exempted for the service of the Lord</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not number the tribe of Levi</b><br>The Levites were set apart for specific religious duties and were not to be included in the general census of the Israelites. This separation underscores their unique role as priests and caretakers of the tabernacle. The Levites' exclusion from the census highlights their consecration to God, as seen in <a href="/exodus/32-26.htm">Exodus 32:26-29</a>, where they stood with Moses during the golden calf incident. This distinction foreshadows the New Testament concept of believers as a "royal priesthood" (<a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a>), set apart for God's service.<p><b>in the census</b><br>The census was primarily for military purposes, counting men able to go to war (<a href="/numbers/1-3.htm">Numbers 1:3</a>). The Levites, however, were exempt from military service, emphasizing their dedication to spiritual rather than physical battles. This separation illustrates the principle that God's work requires different roles and functions, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/12-4.htm">1 Corinthians 12:4-6</a>, where various gifts are given for the common good.<p><b>with the other Israelites</b><br>The Levites' exclusion from the census with the other tribes signifies their distinct position among the Israelites. While the other tribes were counted for war, the Levites were counted separately for their service in the tabernacle (<a href="/numbers/3-15.htm">Numbers 3:15</a>). This distinction is a reminder of the diverse roles within the body of Christ, where each member has a unique function (<a href="/romans/12-4.htm">Romans 12:4-8</a>). The Levites' role also points to Christ, our High Priest, who mediates between God and humanity (<a href="/hebrews/4-14.htm">Hebrews 4:14-16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. He is responsible for conducting the census as instructed by God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tribe_of_levi.htm">The Tribe of Levi</a></b><br>One of the twelve tribes of Israel, set apart for specific religious duties and not included in the military census. Their role was primarily spiritual and priestly.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_census.htm">The Census</a></b><br>A divinely commanded counting of the Israelite men able to go to war, excluding the Levites, to organize the community for their journey and battles ahead.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting for the events of Numbers, where the Israelites wandered for 40 years after their exodus from Egypt, learning to trust and obey God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tabernacle.htm">The Tabernacle</a></b><br>The portable dwelling place for the presence of God among His people, which the Levites were responsible for maintaining and transporting.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>God's instructions to Moses were specific and purposeful. Obedience to God's commands, even when they seem unusual, is crucial for His plans to unfold.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_levites.htm">The Role of the Levites</a></b><br>The Levites were set apart for a holy purpose, reminding us that God calls each of us to specific roles within His kingdom. We should seek to understand and fulfill our God-given roles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_priorities_over_worldly_duties.htm">Spiritual Priorities Over Worldly Duties</a></b><br>The exclusion of the Levites from the military census highlights the priority of spiritual responsibilities over worldly tasks. We must prioritize our spiritual duties and service to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereign_choice.htm">God's Sovereign Choice</a></b><br>God's selection of the Levites underscores His sovereignty in choosing whom He wills for His purposes. We should trust in His wisdom and timing in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/will_i_show_mercy.htm">Why is Dan excluded from Revelation's 144,000 list?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_numbers_1_figures_match_smaller_counts.htm">Are these large census numbers in Numbers 1 consistent with other passages that suggest significantly smaller populations?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_exclude_levites_in_numbers_1_47-53.htm">What rationale is given for excluding Levites from the census in Numbers 1:47-53, and how does this affect the overall population count?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_numbers_1_46's_600,000_men_credible.htm">How credible is the claim in Numbers 1:46 that over 600,000 fighting-age men--implying a total population of more than two million--could have gathered in the Sinai Desert?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/1-49.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">register</span><br /><span class="heb">תִפְקֹ֔ד</span> <span class="translit">(ṯip̄·qōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6485.htm">Strong's 6485: </a> </span><span class="str2">To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the tribe</span><br /><span class="heb">מַטֵּ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(maṭ·ṭêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4294.htm">Strong's 4294: </a> </span><span class="str2">A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Levi</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵוִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(lê·wî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendant of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the census</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹאשָׁ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(rō·šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּת֖וֹךְ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯō·wḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bisection, the centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the other Israelites.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/1-49.htm">Numbers 1:49 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/1-49.htm">Numbers 1:49 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/1-49.htm">Numbers 1:49 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/1-49.htm">Numbers 1:49 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/1-49.htm">Numbers 1:49 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/1-49.htm">Numbers 1:49 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/1-49.htm">Numbers 1:49 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/1-49.htm">Numbers 1:49 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/1-49.htm">Numbers 1:49 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/1-49.htm">Numbers 1:49 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/1-49.htm">OT Law: Numbers 1:49 Only the tribe of Levi you shall (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/1-48.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 1:48"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 1:48" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/1-50.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 1:50"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 1:50" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>