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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 3:28 The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. They were responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/3-28.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/04_Num_03_28.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 3:28 - The Kohathites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. 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The Kohathites were responsible for the care of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />There were 8,600 males one month old or older among these Kohathite clans. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, there were 8,600, keeping guard over the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. They were responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, <i>were</i> eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />According to the number of all the males, from a month old and above, <i>there were</i> eight thousand six hundred keeping charge of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the counting of every male from a month old and upward, <i>there were</i> 8,600, performing the duties of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />In the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, there were 8,600, performing the duties of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />In the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, <i>there were</i> 8,600, performing the duties of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />In the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, <i>there were</i> 8,600, keeping the responsibility of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The males who were numbered, every male from a month old and upward <i>totaled</i> 8,600, attending to the duties of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Counting every male one month old or more, there were 8,600 responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Counting every male one month old or more, there were 8,600 responsible for the duties of the sanctuary. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, there were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and they had 8,600 men and boys at least one month old. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, there were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The number of all the males at least one month old was 8,600. They were in charge of the holy place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The total number of males one month old or older that were enrolled was 8,600. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />all the males a month old and above numbered 8,600. They were tasked to the care of the sanctuary. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. They were responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Counting every male from a month old and upward, there were 8,600. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, there were eight thousand six hundred, keeping the requirements of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />In the number of all the males from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />According to the number of all the males from a month old and upward, there were eight thousand six hundred keeping the requirements of the sanctuary. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />In number, all the males, from a son of a month and upward, [are] eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the holy place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> In number, all the males, from a son of a month and upward, are eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />According to the number of every male, from the son of a month and above, eight thousand six hundred, watching the watches of the holy place.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />All of the male sex from one month and upward, eight thousand six hundred: they shall have the guard of the sanctuary, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />all those of the male gender, from one month and above: eight thousand six hundred. They shall keep watch over the Sanctuary,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Their enrollment, registering every male of a month or more, was eight thousand three hundred. They were the ones who performed the duties of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Counting all the males, from a month old and upward, there were eight thousand six hundred, attending to the duties of the sanctuary.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Their number according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, was eight thousand and six hundred, looking after the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And their number in the number of every male from a son of a month and above: eight thousand and six hundred keeping the watch of Holiness.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, eight thousand and six hundred, keepers of the charge of the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Every male from a month old and upward, eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charges of the holy things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/3-28.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=849" 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 Kohathites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27</span>From Kohath came the clans of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites; these were the clans of the Kohathites. <span class="reftext">28</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4557.htm" title="4557: bə·mis·par (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Number, tally. From caphar; a number, definite or indefinite; also narration.">The number</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.">of all</a> <a href="/hebrew/2145.htm" title="2145: zā·ḵār (N-ms) -- Male. From zakar; properly, remembered, i.e. A male.">the males</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·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 more</a> <a href="/hebrew/8083.htm" title="8083: šə·mō·naṯ (Number-msc) -- Or shmowneh; feminine shmonah; or shmownah; apparently from shamen through the idea of plumpness; a cardinal number, eight; also eighth.">was 8,600.</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’ă·lā·p̄îm (Number-mp) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8337.htm" title="8337: wə·šêš (Conj-w:: Number-fs) -- Masculine shishshah; a primitive number; six (see suws) beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. Sixth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3967.htm" title="3967: mê·’ō·wṯ (Number-fp) -- Hundred. Or metyah; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: šō·mə·rê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">They were responsible for</a> <a href="/hebrew/4931.htm" title="4931: miš·me·reṯ (N-fsc) -- Fem. Of mishmar; watch, i.e. The act, or The sentry, the post; obj. Preservation, or Safe; fig. Observance, i.e. Duty or A usage or party.">the duties</a> <a href="/hebrew/6944.htm" title="6944: haq·qō·ḏeš (Art:: N-ms) -- Apartness, sacredness. From qadash; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity.">of the sanctuary.</a> </span><span class="reftext">29</span>The clans of the Kohathites were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle,…<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/6-16.htm">Exodus 6:16-19</a></span><br />These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years. / The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, by their clans. / The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/28-1.htm">Exodus 28:1</a></span><br />“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/32-26.htm">Exodus 32:26-29</a></span><br />So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him. / He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’” / The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/8-6.htm">Leviticus 8:6-13</a></span><br />Then Moses presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. / He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He tied the woven band of the ephod around him and fastened it to him. / Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. ...<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/3-3.htm">Joshua 3:3-4</a></span><br />and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it. / But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark. Do not go near it, so that you can see the way to go, since you have never traveled this way before.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-48.htm">1 Chronicles 6:48-49</a></span><br />Their fellow Levites were assigned to every kind of service of the tabernacle, the house of God. / 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/23-13.htm">1 Chronicles 23:13</a></span><br />The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/29-11.htm">2 Chronicles 29:11</a></span><br />Now, my sons, do not be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, to minister before Him, and to burn incense.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/12-24.htm">Nehemiah 12:24-26</a></span><br />The leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, along with their associates, who stood across from them to give praise and thanksgiving as one section alternated with the other, as prescribed by David the man of God. / Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates. / They served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the priest and scribe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/99-6.htm">Psalm 99:6</a></span><br />Moses and Aaron were among His priests; Samuel was among those who called on His name. They called to the LORD and He answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-10.htm">Ezekiel 44:10-16</a></span><br />Surely the Levites who wandered away from Me when Israel went astray, and who wandered away from Me after their idols, will bear the consequences of their iniquity. / Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and ministering there. They shall slaughter the burnt offerings and other sacrifices for the people and stand before them to minister to them. / Because they ministered before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I swore with an uplifted hand concerning them that they would bear the consequences of their iniquity, declares the Lord GOD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4-7</a></span><br />Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. / True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-6.htm">Matthew 2:6</a></span><br />‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.</p><p class="hdg">eight thousand</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/4-35.htm">Numbers 4:35,36</a></b></br> From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation: … </p><p class="hdg">keeping</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/3-7.htm">Numbers 3:7,31</a></b></br> And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/13-6.htm">Attending</a> <a href="/numbers/3-25.htm">Care</a> <a href="/numbers/3-25.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/numbers/3-25.htm">Duties</a> <a href="/numbers/2-24.htm">Eight</a> <a href="/numbers/3-13.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/numbers/3-22.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/exodus/2-19.htm">Keepers</a> <a href="/exodus/34-7.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/numbers/3-10.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/numbers/3-27.htm">Kohathites</a> <a href="/numbers/3-22.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/3-22.htm">Males</a> <a href="/numbers/3-22.htm">Month</a> <a href="/numbers/3-22.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/3-22.htm">Numbering</a> <a href="/leviticus/8-35.htm">Performing</a> <a href="/numbers/3-7.htm">Requirements</a> <a href="/numbers/3-25.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/numbers/3-10.htm">Sanctuary</a> <a href="/numbers/2-32.htm">Six</a> <a href="/numbers/3-22.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/numbers/3-22.htm">Upward</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/4-20.htm">Attending</a> <a href="/numbers/3-31.htm">Care</a> <a href="/numbers/3-31.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/numbers/3-31.htm">Duties</a> <a href="/numbers/4-48.htm">Eight</a> <a href="/numbers/3-31.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/numbers/3-34.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/numbers/3-32.htm">Keepers</a> <a href="/numbers/3-38.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/numbers/3-32.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/numbers/3-29.htm">Kohathites</a> <a href="/numbers/3-34.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/3-34.htm">Males</a> <a href="/numbers/3-34.htm">Month</a> <a href="/numbers/3-34.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/3-34.htm">Numbering</a> <a href="/numbers/8-26.htm">Performing</a> <a href="/numbers/3-32.htm">Requirements</a> <a href="/numbers/3-31.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/numbers/3-31.htm">Sanctuary</a> <a href="/numbers/3-34.htm">Six</a> <a href="/numbers/3-34.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/numbers/3-34.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>The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600.</b><br>This phrase refers to the census of the Levites, specifically the Kohathite clan, as part of the organization of the Israelite camp. The Levites were set apart for service to God, and this census was crucial for determining their roles and responsibilities. The age of "a month old or more" indicates that even infants were counted, emphasizing the importance of every male in the service of the sanctuary. The number 8,600 reflects the size of the Kohathite clan, which was one of the three main divisions of the Levites, alongside the Gershonites and Merarites. This census is part of a broader narrative where God organizes the Israelites for their journey and worship, highlighting the importance of order and structure in worship.<p><b>They were responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.</b><br>The Kohathites had specific responsibilities related to the sanctuary, which included the care and transportation of the most sacred objects of the tabernacle, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, and the altars. This role required a high level of sanctity and reverence, as these items were central to Israel's worship and represented God's presence among His people. The duties of the sanctuary were a foreshadowing of the priestly work of Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as our High Priest, mediating between God and humanity. The Kohathites' service underscores the theme of holiness and the need for dedicated individuals to maintain the sanctity of worship, a principle that carries through to the New Testament church.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_levites.htm">The Levites</a></b><br>A tribe set apart for the service of the Tabernacle, responsible for its care and the duties associated with worship.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctuary.htm">The Sanctuary</a></b><br>The sacred place where God's presence dwelled among the Israelites, requiring careful maintenance and reverence.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses_and_aaron.htm">Moses and Aaron</a></b><br>Leaders of the Israelites, responsible for organizing the Levites and ensuring the proper worship of God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_census.htm">The Census</a></b><br>A counting of the Levite males, emphasizing the importance of order and structure in the service of God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tabernacle.htm">The Tabernacle</a></b><br>The portable dwelling place for the divine presence, central to Israelite worship and community life.<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 detailed organization of the Levites.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_service_in_the_community_of_faith.htm">The Role of Service in the Community of Faith</a></b><br>The Levites' dedication to the sanctuary reminds us of the importance of serving within our faith communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sacredness_of_god's_presence.htm">The Sacredness of God's Presence</a></b><br>The responsibilities of the Levites underscore the holiness of God's presence and the reverence required in worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generational_responsibility.htm">Generational Responsibility</a></b><br>The census of males a month old or more indicates the ongoing responsibility of each generation to uphold the worship and service of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_readiness_and_dedication.htm">Spiritual Readiness and Dedication</a></b><br>Just as the Levites were set apart for service, believers today are called to be spiritually ready and dedicated to God's work.<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/why_did_korah_oppose_moses_and_aaron.htm">Why did Korah rebel against Moses and Aaron?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_herod_the_great.htm">Who was Ithamar in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/priests_vs._levites__role_differences.htm">How do priests and Levites differ in their roles?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_22,000_levites_plausible_then.htm">Numbers 3:39 - How plausible is the total of exactly 22,000 Levites, given population estimates of that era?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 28.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Eight thousand and six hundred.</span> The four families of the Kohathites, of which that of Amram was one, must have contained about 18,000 souls. Moses and Aaron were sons of Amram, and they seem to have had but two sons apiece at this time. If, therefore, the family of the Amramites was at all equal in numbers to the other three, they must have had more than 4000 brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces. It is urged in reply that Amram lived 137 years, and may have had many other children, and that the variations in the comparative rates of increase are so great and so unaccountable that it is useless to speculate upon them. There is, however, a more serious difficulty connected with the genealogy of Moses and Aaron, as given here and elsewhere. If they were the great-grandchildren of Levi on their father's side, and his grandchildren on their mother's side, it is impossible to maintain the obvious meaning of <a href="/exodus/12-40.htm">Exodus 12:40</a>. Either the genealogy must be lengthened, or the time must be very much shortened for the sojourning in Egypt. The known and undoubted habit of the sacred writers to omit names in their genealogies, even in those which seem most precise, lessens the difficulty of the first alternative, whereas every consideration of numbers, including those in this passage, increases the difficulty of the second. To endeavour to avoid either alternative, and to force the apparent statements of Scripture into accord by assuming a multiplicity of unrecorded and improbable miracles at every turn (as, e.g., that Jochebed, the mother of Moses, was restored to youth and beauty at an extreme old age), is to expose the holy writings to contempt. It is much more reverent to believe, either that the genealogies are very imperfect, or that the numbers in the text have been very considerably altered. Every consideration of particular examples, still more the general impression left by the whole narrative, favours the former as against the latter alternative. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/3-28.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 number</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמִסְפַּר֙</span> <span class="translit">(bə·mis·par)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<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 all</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">the males</span><br /><span class="heb">זָכָ֔ר</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">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">was 8,600.</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמֹנַ֤ת</span> <span class="translit">(šə·mō·naṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8083.htm">Strong's 8083: </a> </span><span class="str2">A cardinal number, eight, eighth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They were responsible for</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁמְרֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(šō·mə·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the duties</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת</span> <span class="translit">(miš·me·reṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4931.htm">Strong's 4931: </a> </span><span class="str2">A guard, watch, charge, function</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the sanctuary.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qō·ḏeš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6944.htm">Strong's 6944: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sacred place, thing, sanctity</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/3-28.htm">Numbers 3:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/3-28.htm">Numbers 3:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/3-28.htm">Numbers 3:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/3-28.htm">Numbers 3:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/3-28.htm">Numbers 3:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/3-28.htm">Numbers 3:28 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/3-28.htm">Numbers 3:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/3-28.htm">Numbers 3:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/3-28.htm">Numbers 3:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/3-28.htm">Numbers 3:28 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/3-28.htm">OT Law: Numbers 3:28 According to the number of all (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/3-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 3:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 3:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/3-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 3:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 3:29" /></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>