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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>1 Chronicles 23:3 The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_chronicles/23-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/13_1Ch_23_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Chronicles 23:3 - The Divisions of the Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000." /><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'; 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and the number of individual males was thirty-eight thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_chronicles/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the Levites were counted from thirty years old and upward, and their number by head count of men was thirty-eight thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward, and their number by census of men was 38,000.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_chronicles/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward, and their number by census of men was 38,000.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_chronicles/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward, and their number by census of men was 38,000.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_chronicles/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The Levites thirty years old and upward were counted, and their number man by man was 38,000.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_chronicles/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites thirty years old or more were counted; the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand by headcount.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_chronicles/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites 30 years old or more were counted; the total number of men was 38,000 by headcount.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_chronicles/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_chronicles/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He then counted the Levite men who were at least 30 years old, and the total was 38,000. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_chronicles/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_chronicles/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Every male Levite who was at least 30 years old was counted. There were 38,000.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_chronicles/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He took a census of all the male Levites aged thirty or older. The total was thirty-eight thousand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_chronicles/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />descendants of Levi 30 years old and above were counted for a total of 38,000. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_chronicles/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</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="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_chronicles/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The Levites who were thirty years old and up were counted; there were 38,000 men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_chronicles/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_chronicles/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_chronicles/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The Levites were counted from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_chronicles/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the Levites are numbered from a son of thirty years and upward, and their number, for their counted heads, is of thirty-eight thousand mighty men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_chronicles/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the Levites are numbered from a son of thirty years and upward, and their number, by their polls, is of mighty men thirty and eight thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_chronicles/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the Levites will be numbered from the son of thirty years and above: and their number, for their craniums, for the men, thirty and eight thousand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_chronicles/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years, and upwards: and there were found of them thirty-eight thousand men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_chronicles/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward. And there were found thirty-eight thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_chronicles/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The Levites thirty years old and above were counted, and their total number was found to be thirty-eight thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_chronicles/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The Levites, thirty years old and upward, were counted, and the total was thirty-eight thousand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_chronicles/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_chronicles/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Levites were numbered from a son of thirty years and above, and the number of men by head of each man was thirtyeight thousand.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_chronicles/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_chronicles/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Levites numbered <i>themselves</i> from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls amounted to thirty and eight thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_chronicles/23-3.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/wtNNY-qpWWI?start=6355" 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/1_chronicles/23.htm">The Divisions of the Levites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>Then he gathered all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: hal·wî·yim (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">The Levites</a> <a href="/hebrew/7970.htm" title="7970: šə·lō·šîm (Number-cp) -- Thirty. Or shloshiym; multiple of shalowsh; thirty; or thirtieth.">thirty</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.).">years of age</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4605.htm" title="4605: wā·mā·‘ə·lāh (Conj-w:: Adv:: 3fs) -- From alah; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.">or older</a> <a href="/hebrew/5608.htm" title="5608: way·yis·sā·p̄ə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To count, recount, relate. ">were counted,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4557.htm" title="4557: mis·pā·rām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Number, tally. From caphar; a number, definite or indefinite; also narration.">and the total number</a> <a href="/hebrew/1397.htm" title="1397: liḡ·ḇā·rîm (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- Man. From gabar; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply.">of men</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/7970.htm" title="7970: šə·lō·šîm (Number-cp) -- Thirty. Or shloshiym; multiple of shalowsh; thirty; or thirtieth.">38,000</a> <a href="/hebrew/8083.htm" title="8083: ū·šə·mō·w·nāh (Conj-w:: Number-ms) -- Or shmowneh; feminine shmonah; or shmownah; apparently from shamen through the idea of plumpness; a cardinal number, eight; also eighth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’ā·lep̄ (Number-ms) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1538.htm" title="1538: lə·ḡul·gə·lō·ṯām (Prep-l:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- A skull, head, poll (of persons). By reduplication from galal; a skull; by implication, a head."></a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>“Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges,…<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/4-3.htm">Numbers 4:3</a></span><br />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 8:24-25</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.<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/28-13.htm">1 Chronicles 28:13</a></span><br />for the divisions of the priests and Levites, for all the work of service in the house of the LORD, and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/28-21.htm">1 Chronicles 28:21</a></span><br />The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the service of the house of God, and every willing man of every skill will be at your disposal for the work. The officials and all the people are fully at your command.”<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/3-8.htm">Ezra 3:8</a></span><br />In the second month of the second year after they had arrived at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, and the rest of their associates including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began the work. They appointed Levites twenty years of age or older to supervise the construction of the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-17.htm">1 Timothy 5:17</a></span><br />Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-23.htm">Luke 1:23</a></span><br />And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-2.htm">Acts 6:2-4</a></span><br />So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them / and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-1.htm">1 Peter 5:1-2</a></span><br />As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: / Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-13.htm">1 Corinthians 9:13-14</a></span><br />Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.<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/7-23.htm">Hebrews 7:23</a></span><br />Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-6.htm">Hebrews 9:6</a></span><br />When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.</p><p class="hdg">the Levites</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2,3,23,30,35,43,47</a></b></br> Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers, … </p><p class="hdg">thirty and eight</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/4-48.htm">Numbers 4:48</a></b></br> Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_chronicles/23-1.htm">Age</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-5.htm">Census</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-6.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-38.htm">Eight</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-2.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-2.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/19-8.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/22-16.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/1-22.htm">Polls</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/19-7.htm">Thirty</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-14.htm">Thirty-Eight</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/22-14.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-20.htm">Total</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-30.htm">Upward</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">Age</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">Census</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-11.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">Eight</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-9.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-26.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/26-6.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-27.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">Polls</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-6.htm">Thirty</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-45.htm">Thirty-Eight</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/3-11.htm">Total</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">Upward</a><div class="vheading2">1 Chronicles 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-1.htm">David in his old age makes Solomon king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-2.htm">The number and distribution of the Levites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-7.htm">The families of the Gershonites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-12.htm">The sons of Kohath</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-21.htm">The sons of Merari</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">The office of the Levites</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/1_chronicles/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_chronicles/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_chronicles/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted</b><br>In the context of ancient Israel, the Levites were a tribe set apart for religious duties, particularly those related to the tabernacle and later the temple. The age of thirty was significant as it marked the beginning of a Levite's full service in the temple, aligning with the age when priests began their duties (<a href="/numbers/4-3.htm">Numbers 4:3</a>). This age requirement underscores the maturity and experience needed for the sacred responsibilities they were to undertake. The counting of the Levites reflects a structured approach to temple service, ensuring that those who served were adequately prepared and capable.<p><b>and the total number of men was 38,000</b><br>The specific number of 38,000 Levites indicates a substantial workforce dedicated to the service of the temple. This large number highlights the importance of the temple in the life of Israel and the extensive operations required to maintain it. Historically, this census would have been crucial for organizing the various duties among the Levites, such as musicians, gatekeepers, and those responsible for the maintenance of the temple. This organization is further detailed in the subsequent verses of <a href="/1_chronicles/23.htm">1 Chronicles 23</a>. The counting of the Levites also reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to multiply the descendants of Levi, as seen in <a href="/genesis/46-11.htm">Genesis 46:11</a> and <a href="/exodus/1.htm">Exodus 1:1-5</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/l/levites.htm">Levites</a></b><br>A tribe of Israel set apart for religious duties and service in the temple. They were descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The king of Israel who organized the Levites for their temple duties. He played a crucial role in establishing the worship practices of Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/temple_service.htm">Temple Service</a></b><br>The context of this verse is the preparation for the temple service, which was central to Israelite worship and religious life.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/census.htm">Census</a></b><br>The counting of the Levites was a significant event, reflecting the organization and structure necessary for temple service.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/thirty_years_old_and_upward.htm">Thirty Years Old and Upward</a></b><br>This age requirement indicates a level of maturity and readiness for the responsibilities of temple service.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_order_in_worship.htm">The Importance of Order in Worship</a></b><br>God values order and structure in worship, as seen in the organization of the Levites. This principle can be applied to how we approach worship and service in the church today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/maturity_and_readiness_for_service.htm">Maturity and Readiness for Service</a></b><br>The age requirement of thirty years signifies the need for maturity and readiness in serving God. This teaches us to seek spiritual maturity and readiness before taking on significant responsibilities in ministry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_levites_as_a_model_for_service.htm">The Role of the Levites as a Model for Service</a></b><br>The Levites' dedication to temple service serves as a model for our own commitment to serving God and His people. We are called to serve with dedication and faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_being_set_apart.htm">The Significance of Being Set Apart</a></b><br>Just as the Levites were set apart for God's work, believers today are called to be set apart for His purposes, living lives that reflect His holiness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_chronicles_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_1_chronicles_24's_priest_claim_plausible.htm">Is the claim in 1 Chronicles 24 of David having enough priests to fill 24 separate divisions historically plausible? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_38,000_levites_realistic_then.htm">In 1 Chronicles 23:3, is the reported total of 38,000 Levites realistic given the historical population estimates of the era? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_for_the_large_choir.htm">2 Chronicles 5:12–13 – Can the enormous Levitical choir and musical ensemble be supported by any historical or logistical data, given ancient population and resource limits? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_gatekeeper_numbers_realistic_for_israel.htm">1 Chronicles 26:13–19: How realistic are the high numbers of gatekeepers given the estimated population sizes of ancient Israel? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_chronicles/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">Now</span> <span class= "bld">. . .</span> <span class= "bld">and</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> after the council had agreed upon it.<p><span class= "bld">The Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward.</span>--A census like that which Moses instituted (<a href="/numbers/4-3.htm" title="From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.">Numbers 4:3</a>; <a href="/numbers/4-23.htm" title="From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shall you number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.">Numbers 4:23</a>; <a href="/numbers/4-30.htm" title="From thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old shall you number them, every one that enters into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.">Numbers 4:30</a>, &c.), of all Levites "from thirty years old and upward unto fifty years," for the work of the Tabernacle.<p><span class= "bld">By their polls, man by man.</span>--Lit., <span class= "ital">As to their skulls, as to men.</span> The second phrase defines the first, and excludes women and children.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_chronicles/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward.</span> The thing which Joab had rightly resisted (<a href="/1_chronicles/21-3.htm">1 Chronicles 21:3-6</a>) and shrunk from doing was now rightly done. There was now a practical and a legitimate object for doing it. This consideration helps to determine what it was that "displeased the Lord" in the former general census of David. In connection with this clause, <a href="/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">1 Chronicles 27:23</a> should be noted, where we read, "But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the Lord had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens." The period from the age of thirty years up to fifty (<a href="/numbers/4-3.htm">Numbers 4:3, 23, 35, 39</a>) was fixed under Moses, for those "that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation" (<a href="/numbers/4-47.htm">Numbers 4:47</a>). It is not certain, however, that this census did not inquire, in point of fact, respecting some below this limit of age. For we may note ver. 24 in the first place, and this is partly explained by <a href="/numbers/8-23.htm">Numbers 8:23-25</a>. The number "thirty and eight thousand" of our present verse may be compared with the "eight thousand and five hundred and four score" of <a href="/numbers/4-47.htm">Numbers 4:47, 48</a>. It is to be observed how promptly the national council did on this occasion commence with the arrangement of the ministers of religion, "the Levites." As we read (<a href="/numbers/4-3.htm">Numbers 4:3</a>) of "thirty years" of age as the appointed age for the commencement of their ministry, and (<a href="/numbers/7-3.htm">Numbers 7:3</a>) of the present or "offering" of "six covered waggons and twelve oxen," which the twelve "princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, princes of the tribes," offered "before the Lord," which greatly lessened the laborious work of the Levites; so we find the commencing age reduced from time to time, to "twenty-five" years (<a href="/numbers/8-24.htm">Numbers 8:24</a>), and to "twenty years" of age, as in our present chapter (vers. 24-28). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_chronicles/23-3.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">The Levites</span><br /><span class="heb">הַלְוִיִּ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hal·wî·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural<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">thirty</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(šə·lō·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7970.htm">Strong's 7970: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thirty, thirtieth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">years of age</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבֶּ֛ן</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">and older</span><br /><span class="heb">וָמָ֑עְלָה</span> <span class="translit">(wā·mā·‘ə·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 /><br /><span class="word">were counted,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּסָּֽפְרוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yis·sā·p̄ə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5608.htm">Strong's 5608: </a> </span><span class="str2">To count, recount, relate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the total number</span><br /><span class="heb">מִסְפָּרָ֤ם</span> <span class="translit">(mis·pā·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4557.htm">Strong's 4557: </a> </span><span class="str2">A number, definite, indefinite, narration</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of men</span><br /><span class="heb">לִגְבָרִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(liḡ·ḇā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1397.htm">Strong's 1397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A valiant man, warrior, a person simply</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">38,000</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(šə·lō·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7970.htm">Strong's 7970: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thirty, thirtieth</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">1 Chronicles 23:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">1 Chronicles 23:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">1 Chronicles 23:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">1 Chronicles 23:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">1 Chronicles 23:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">1 Chronicles 23:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">1 Chronicles 23:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">1 Chronicles 23:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">1 Chronicles 23:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">1 Chronicles 23:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">OT History: 1 Chronicles 23:3 The Levites were numbered from thirty years (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Chronicles 23:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 23:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Chronicles 23:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 23:4" /></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>