CINXE.COM

<!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 3:15 "Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/3-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/04_Num_03_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 3:15 - The Registration of the Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/3-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/3-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.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/3-14.htm" title="Numbers 3:14">◄</a> Numbers 3:15 <a href="/numbers/3-16.htm" title="Numbers 3:16">►</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/3.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/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Count the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Record the names of the members of the tribe of Levi by their families and clans. List every male who is one month old or older.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“List the sons of Levi, by fathers’ houses and by clans; every male from a month old and upward you shall list.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Number the children of Levi by their fathers’ houses, by their families; you shall number every male from a month old and above.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Count the sons of Levi by their fathers’ households, by their families; every male from a month old and upward you shall count.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Number the sons of Levi by their fathers&#8217 households, by their families; every male from a month old and upward you shall number.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Number the sons of Levi by their fathers’ households, by their families; every male from a month old and upward you shall number.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Number the sons of Levi by their fathers’ households, by their families; every male from a month old and upward you shall number.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Number the sons of Levi by their fathers’ households, by their families (clans). You shall number every male from a month old and upward.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Register the Levites by their ancestral families and their clans. You are to register every male one month old or more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Register the Levites by their ancestral houses and their clans. You are to register every male one month old or more.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Number the children of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"Now I want you to count the men and boys in the Levi tribe by families and by clans. Include every one at least a month old." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Number the children of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Count the Levites by households and families. Count every male who is at least one month old."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />to register the Levites by clans and families, enrolling every male a month old or older, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Number the descendants of Levi according to their ancestral houses and tribes, numbering every male from a month old and above."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Number the Levites by their clans and their families; every male from a month old and upward you are to number."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Count the descendants of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families. You shall count every male from a month old and upward."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Count the children of Levi by their fathers’ houses, by their families. You shall count every male from a month old and upward.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Number the sons of Levi by the house of their fathers, by their families; every male from a son of a month and upward—you number them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Number the sons of Levi by the house of their fathers, by their families; every male from a son of a month and upward thou dost number them.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Review the sons of Levi according to the house of their fathers, according to their families: every male from the son of a month and above shalt thou review them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Number the sons of Levi by the houses of their fathers and their families, every male from one month and upward. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“Number the sons of Levi by the houses of their fathers and their families, every male from one month and above.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Enroll the Levites by their ancestral houses and clans, enrolling every male of a month or more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Enroll the Levites by ancestral houses and by clans. You shall enroll every male from a month old and upward.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families; every male from a month old and upward, you shall number them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />“Count the sons of Levi for the house of their fathers by their families; you shall count them, every male from a son of a month and above.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Number the children of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families; every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Take the number of the sons of Levi, according to the houses of their families, according to their divisions; number ye them every male from a month old and upwards.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/3-15.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=759" 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/3.htm">The Registration of the Levites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14</span>Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying, <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6485.htm" title="6485: pə·qōḏ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- 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/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></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 Levites</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·ṯām (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">by their families</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: lə·ḇêṯ (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4940.htm" title="4940: lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām (Prep-l:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- From shaphah; a family, i.e. Circle of relatives; figuratively, a class, a species or sort; by extens. A tribe or people.">and clans.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6485.htm" title="6485: tip̄·qə·ḏêm (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 3mp) -- To attend to, visit, muster, appoint. A primitive root; to visit; by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.">You are to count</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/2145.htm" title="2145: zā·ḵār (N-ms) -- Male. From zakar; properly, remembered, i.e. A male.">male</a> <a href="/hebrew/2320.htm" title="2320: ḥō·ḏeš (N-ms) -- New moon, a month. From chadash; the new moon; by implication, a month.">a month</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: mib·ben- (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">old</a> <a href="/hebrew/4605.htm" title="4605: wā·ma‘·lāh (Conj-w:: Adv:: 3fs) -- From alah; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.">or more.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>So Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he had been commanded.…<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="/exodus/12-37.htm">Exodus 12:37</a></span><br />The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/38-26.htm">Exodus 38:26</a></span><br />a beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years of age or older who had crossed over to be numbered, a total of 603,550 men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2-3</a></span><br />“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. / You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/1-47.htm">Numbers 1:47-50</a></span><br />The Levites, however, were not numbered along with them by the tribe of their fathers. / For the LORD had said to Moses: / “Do not number the tribe of Levi in the census with the other Israelites. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2-3</a></span><br />“Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families, / men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/8-24.htm">Numbers 8:24-26</a></span><br />“This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years of age or older shall enter to perform the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting. / But at the age of fifty, they must retire from performing the work and no longer serve. / After that, they may assist their brothers in fulfilling their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves are not to do the work. This is how you are to assign responsibilities to the Levites.”<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="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">1 Chronicles 23:24-27</a></span><br />These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD. / For David had said, “The LORD, the God of Israel, has given rest to His people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever. / 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/23-3.htm">1 Chronicles 23:3</a></span><br />The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">1 Chronicles 23:24</a></span><br />These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/24-3.htm">1 Chronicles 24:3-5</a></span><br />With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. / Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than those of Ithamar, they were divided accordingly. There were sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar and eight from the descendants of Ithamar. / Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/31-17.htm">2 Chronicles 31:17</a></span><br />and to the priests enrolled according to their families in the genealogy, as well as to the Levites twenty years of age or older, according to their responsibilities and divisions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/8-15.htm">Ezra 8:15</a></span><br />Now I assembled these exiles at the canal that flows to Ahava, and we camped there three days. And when I searched among the people and priests, I found no Levites there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/7-63.htm">Nehemiah 7:63-65</a></span><br />And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). / These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. / The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shall you number them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/3-22.htm">Numbers 3:22,28,34,39,40,43</a></b></br> Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, <i>even</i> those that were numbered of them <i>were</i> seven thousand and five hundred… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/18-15.htm">Numbers 18:15,16</a></b></br> Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, <i>whether it be</i> of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem… </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/3-12.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/1-42.htm">Clans</a> <a href="/numbers/1-49.htm">Count</a> <a href="/numbers/2-34.htm">Families</a> <a href="/numbers/2-34.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/numbers/3-8.htm">House</a> <a href="/numbers/2-32.htm">Households</a> <a href="/numbers/2-34.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/numbers/3-6.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/numbers/3-12.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/1-18.htm">Month</a> <a href="/numbers/2-33.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/1-45.htm">Upward</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/3-38.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/3-18.htm">Clans</a> <a href="/numbers/3-40.htm">Count</a> <a href="/numbers/3-18.htm">Families</a> <a href="/numbers/3-20.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/numbers/3-20.htm">House</a> <a href="/numbers/3-20.htm">Households</a> <a href="/numbers/3-20.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/numbers/3-17.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/numbers/3-22.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/3-22.htm">Month</a> <a href="/numbers/3-16.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/3-22.htm">Upward</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-1.htm">The sons of Aaron</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-5.htm">The Levites are given to the priests instead of the firstborn</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-14.htm">Are numbered by their families</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-21.htm">The families, number, and charge of the Gershonites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-27.htm">Of the Kohathites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-33.htm">Of the Merarites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-38.htm">The place and charge of Moses and Aaron</a></span><br><span class="reftext">40. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-40.htm">The firstborn are freed by the Levites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">44. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-44.htm">The balances are refunded</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/3.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/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Number the Levites by their families and clans.</b><br>The Levites were set apart for special service to God, distinct from the other tribes of Israel. This command to number them by families and clans emphasizes the importance of their genealogical records, which ensured the purity and continuity of their priestly duties. The Levites were descendants of Levi, one of Jacob's sons, and their division into families and clans reflects the tribal structure of ancient Israel. This organization was crucial for maintaining order and assigning specific roles within the tabernacle service. The Levites' role as priests and temple workers foreshadows the priesthood of all believers in the New Testament, as seen in <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a>.<p><b>You are to count every male a month old or more.</b><br>Counting males from one month old indicates the dedication of the Levites from a very young age, signifying their lifelong commitment to God's service. This early age of counting contrasts with the military census of other tribes, which typically began at age 20. The focus on males highlights the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where men were primarily responsible for religious duties. This early dedication can be seen as a type of Christ, who was dedicated to God from birth and fulfilled His priestly role through His life and sacrifice. The Levites' service points to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus, who intercedes for believers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, who is instructed by God to take a census of the Levites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a></b><br>The brother of Moses and the first high priest, whose descendants are part of the Levitical priesthood.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/levites.htm">Levites</a></b><br>The tribe set apart for religious duties and service to the Tabernacle, distinct from the other tribes of Israel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, among whom the Levites serve a unique role.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/wilderness_of_sinai.htm">Wilderness of Sinai</a></b><br>The location where the Israelites are camped and where God gives Moses these instructions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Moses' obedience in numbering the Levites demonstrates the importance of following God's specific instructions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereign_choice.htm">God's Sovereign Choice</a></b><br>The selection of the Levites for special service illustrates God's sovereign choice and purpose for each tribe and individual.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/service_and_dedication.htm">Service and Dedication</a></b><br>The Levites' role emphasizes the value of service and dedication to God, a calling for all believers to serve in their unique capacities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_leadership.htm">Spiritual Leadership</a></b><br>The Levites' responsibilities point to the need for spiritual leadership and the importance of supporting those in ministry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/identity_and_purpose.htm">Identity and Purpose</a></b><br>Understanding one's identity and purpose in God's plan is crucial, as seen in the Levites' distinct role among the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_it_feasible_to_count_all_males_1+_month.htm">Numbers 3:15 – Is it realistic to gather and count every male from one month old and upward in a nomadic environment? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_levite_genealogies_match_history.htm">Numbers 3 - Do the Levite genealogies align with any known historical or archaeological evidence outside the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_numbers_26_genealogies_align_or_differ.htm">Do the detailed genealogies in Numbers 26 align consistently with other biblical genealogies, or are there discrepancies that suggest later editing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/which_numbers_are_accurate__nehemiah_or_ezra.htm">If the numbers in Nehemiah 7 differ from parallel lists in Ezra, which set of figures is historically accurate, and why do they conflict?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">From a month old and upward . . . --</span>The males of the other tribes had been numbered "from twenty years old and upward" (<a href="/numbers/1-3.htm" title="From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: you and Aaron shall number them by their armies.">Numbers 1:3</a>). The firstborn males, however, among all the children of Israel, in whose place the Levites were taken, wer-directed to be numbered "from a month old and upward" (<a href="/numbers/3-40.htm" title="And the LORD said to Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.">Numbers 3:40</a>; <a href="/numbers/3-43.htm" title="And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and three score and thirteen.">Numbers 3:43</a>); and this was the age afterwards fixed for their redemption (<a href="/numbers/18-16.htm" title="And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shall you redeem, according to your estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.">Numbers 18:16</a>).<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/3-15.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">“Register</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּקֹד֙</span> <span class="translit">(pə·qōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - 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 Levites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֣י</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 /><br /><span class="word">by their families</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבֹתָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and clans.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4940.htm">Strong's 4940: </a> </span><span class="str2">A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You are to count</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּפְקְדֵֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(tip̄·qə·ḏêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural<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">every</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">male</span><br /><span class="heb">זָכָ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(zā·ḵār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2145.htm">Strong's 2145: </a> </span><span class="str2">Remembered, a male</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a month old</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(mib·ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or more.”</span><br /><span class="heb">וָמַ֖עְלָה</span> <span class="translit">(wā·ma‘·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4605.htm">Strong's 4605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/3-15.htm">Numbers 3:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/3-15.htm">Numbers 3:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/3-15.htm">Numbers 3:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/3-15.htm">Numbers 3:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/3-15.htm">Numbers 3:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/3-15.htm">Numbers 3:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/3-15.htm">Numbers 3:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/3-15.htm">Numbers 3:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/3-15.htm">Numbers 3:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/3-15.htm">Numbers 3:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/3-15.htm">OT Law: Numbers 3:15 Count the children of Levi by their (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/3-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 3:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 3:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/3-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 3:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 3:16" /></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>