Numbers 3 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Numbers 3 meaning explained in AI Summary

Duties of the Levites

Priestly Assistants: This chapter elaborates on the duties of the Levites. They are divided into three main families – Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites – each with specific tasks related to transporting the tabernacle and its furnishings.
Aaron and His Sons: The chapter emphasizes the unique role of Aaron and his sons as priests. They are responsible for the care of the most sacred items in the tabernacle, such as the Ark of the Covenant.

This chapter details the organization of the Levites for their sacred service in the Tabernacle.

Key Points:

The Levites are chosen: God designates the Levites, descendants of Levi, to serve in the Tabernacle instead of the firstborn sons of Israel, whom He consecrated to Himself after the Passover (Exodus 13). This substitution occurs because the Levites remained faithful during the golden calf incident.
Three Levitical families and their duties: The chapter outlines the specific roles of the three main Levitical families:
- Gershonites (descendants of Gershon): Responsible for the Tabernacle's coverings, curtains, hangings, and transport.
- Kohathites (descendants of Kohath): Responsible for the most sacred objects, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the altar of incense, and the lampstand.
- Merarites (descendants of Merari): Responsible for the Tabernacle's frames, bars, pillars, sockets, and other structural components.
Leadership and oversight: Aaron and his sons, from the Kohathite family, are appointed as priests, while the other Levites assist them in their duties. Eleazar, Aaron's son, is given specific responsibility for the oil, incense, and other offerings.
Numbering the Levites: A census is taken of all Levite males one month old and above. The total number is 22,000.
Redemption of the firstborn: Since there are more firstborn Israelite males (22,273) than Levites, a redemption price of five shekels is set for each excess firstborn. This money is given to Aaron and his sons.

Overall, Numbers Chapter 3 emphasizes the sacredness of the Tabernacle and the importance of order and dedication in serving God. The detailed organization of the Levites highlights their crucial role in maintaining the Israelites' relationship with God.

Numbers 3 bible study ai commentary

Numbers 3 details the divine appointment, census, and specific roles of the Levites, establishing them as a special tribe set apart for the service of the Tabernacle. They are presented as God's chosen substitutes for the firstborn of all Israel, forming a sacred buffer between God's holiness and the people. The chapter concludes by arranging the monetary redemption for the surplus of Israelite firstborns, solidifying the principles of substitution and holy order that are foundational to Israel's covenant life.

Numbers 3 Context

The events of Numbers 3 take place while the Israelites are encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, approximately one year after the Exodus from Egypt. Having received the Law and constructed the Tabernacle, the community is now being organized for its life and worship. This chapter moves from the general military census of chapters 1-2 to the specific, sacred census of the priestly tribe. Culturally, priesthoods in the Ancient Near East (e.g., Egypt, Mesopotamia) were often powerful, landed aristocracies. Israel's system, where the Levites are "given" to the priests and sustained by the offerings of the people rather than land ownership (with the exception of designated cities), presented a polemical contrast. It established a priesthood dependent on God and the faithfulness of the covenant community, not on its own political or economic power.

Numbers 3:1-4

These are the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the LORD spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests. But Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father.

In-depth-analysis

The phrase "generations of Aaron and Moses" (toledot) is unusual. Typically, toledot (generations, descendants) introduces a genealogy. While Moses is named first out of respect, the genealogy that follows is solely Aaron's, cementing the fact that the priesthood is an Aaronic, not a Mosaic, inheritance.
The legitimacy of Aaron's line is immediately established: they are the "anointed priests" (ha-kohanim ha-meshuchim), consecrated for their unique office.
The immediate mention of the death of Nadab and Abihu serves as a stark and powerful warning. Their story, detailed in Leviticus 10, illustrates that access to God and service in the sanctuary is a serious matter with fatal consequences for disobedience. "Unauthorized fire" (esh zarah) signifies worship on human terms rather than God's commanded terms.
This tragedy explains why the priestly duties fall exclusively to Eleazar and Ithamar, setting the stage for the need for Levitical assistance.

Bible references

Leviticus 10:1-2: "Nadab and Abihu... offered unauthorized fire before the LORD... So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them..." (The historical event being referenced).
Exodus 28:1: "Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests..." (The initial divine call of the Aaronic priesthood).
Hebrews 5:4: "And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was." (The NT principle of divinely appointed, not self-appointed, priesthood).

Cross references

Exo 6:23 (Aaron's family); Lev 8 (anointing of priests); Num 16:40 (reminder of Nadab/Abihu); Num 26:60-61 (recounting the story); 1 Chr 24:1-2 (priestly genealogies).

Numbers 3:5-10

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. They shall keep all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle. You shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are wholly given to him from among the people of Israel. And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. But if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.”

In-depth-analysis

Hierarchical Structure: A clear structure is defined: God -> Moses -> Aaron and Sons (Priesthood) -> Levites (Ministers to the Priests) -> Congregation. The Levites are assistants to the priests, not priests themselves.
Word: "Give the Levites" - The Hebrew verb nathan (give) is used repeatedly. The Levites are nethunim, the "given ones." They are a gift from the people of Israel to God, and a gift from God back to the Aaronic priesthood for service.
Dual Function: Their role is twofold: 1) "Minister to him" (assist the priests). 2) "Keep guard" (shamar mishmereth), acting as a buffer between the holy Tabernacle and the congregation, preventing unauthorized access.
The Law of Exclusion: "If any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death." The "outsider" (zar) here means any non-priest (including Levites) encroaching on priestly duties, or any non-Levite encroaching on holy ground. This protects the holiness of God and the lives of the people.

Bible references

Numbers 8:19: "And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons... to make atonement for the people of Israel, so that there may be no plague among the people of Israel when they come near the sanctuary." (Explicitly states their role in protection and atonement).
Numbers 18:2-7: "They shall be joined to you and minister to you... but they shall not come near the vessels of the sanctuary or the altar, lest they, and you, die." (Clearly defines the boundaries between priestly and Levitical duties).
1 Chronicles 23:28-32: "Their duty was to stand by the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD... and to assist." (Describes the fulfillment of these roles in the Temple era).

Cross references

Num 1:51-53 (Levitical buffer zone); Deut 10:8 (separating the tribe); Eph 4:11-12 (gifting of roles for ministry).

Numbers 3:11-13

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine, for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD.”

In-depth-analysis

The Great Substitution: This is the theological heart of the chapter. God claims ownership of all of Israel's firstborn males as a result of sparing them during the tenth plague in Egypt (the Passover).
Redemption Principle: Instead of requiring every family to dedicate their firstborn son to lifelong sanctuary service (a practice that would disrupt the entire tribal and economic structure), God accepts one entire tribe—Levi—as a substitute for all the firstborn.
"Mine": The repetition of "shall be mine" (li yiheyu) emphasizes God's sovereign claim. The Levites belong to God in a unique and special way. This concept is foundational to understanding their role and separation.

Bible references

Exodus 13:2, 12: "Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel... is mine." (The original command that is now being functionally modified).
Numbers 8:17-18: "For all the firstborn among the people of Israel are mine... I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn." (A direct restatement and clarification of this principle).
Luke 2:22-23: "And when the time came for their purification... they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, 'Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord')." (Shows this law's observance in the time of Jesus).

Cross references

Exo 12:29 (death of Egypt's firstborn); Exo 34:19-20 (laws of the firstborn); Heb 12:23 (the church of the firstborn).

Numbers 3:14-39

This section details the census and duties of the three Levitical clans.

...

The Census (v. 14-20)

Starting Age: The census begins from "a month old and upward." This differs starkly from the military census of Israelites from "twenty years old" (Num 1:3). Their value to God is not based on their strength for war but on their very existence as consecrated substitutes. Even an infant male Levite counted toward this substitution.

Gershonites (v. 21-26)

Numbers: 7,500 males.
Location: West side of the Tabernacle.
Duty: Responsible for the Tabernacle's "soft goods": the coverings, curtains, screens, and their cords. These were the outer layers, the fabrics that formed the tent itself.

Kohathites (v. 27-32)

Numbers: 8,600 males.
Location: South side of the Tabernacle.
Duty: Responsible for the most sacred objects inside the tent: the Ark, the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altars, and the sacred vessels. This was the most privileged and dangerous duty, hence their oversight by Eleazar, the chief priest's son.

Merarites (v. 33-37)

Numbers: 6,200 males.
Location: North side of the Tabernacle.
Duty: Responsible for the Tabernacle's "hardware" or structural frame: the boards, bars, pillars, bases, and all related equipment. They carried the heaviest load.

Moses, Aaron, and Sons (v. 38)

Location: East side of the Tabernacle, at the entrance. This was the most critical position, the place of honor and supreme authority.
Duty: They camped at the front to guard the entrance to the sanctuary, performing the priestly duties themselves and preventing any unauthorized person from entering.

Total Census (v. 39)

The final tally is given as 22,000. This presents a well-known mathematical discrepancy, as the sum of the clans is 7,500 + 8,600 + 6,200 = 22,300.
Polemics: Scholars and rabbinic tradition resolve this by postulating that the 300 "extra" Levites were firstborns themselves. Since they were already obligated to God by birthright, they could not serve as substitutes for other firstborns. Therefore, they were omitted from the substitutionary count, leaving an even 22,000 "eligible" Levites for the exchange.

Bible references

Numbers 4:1-33: This chapter expands significantly on these duties, providing details about how the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites were to pack and transport their assigned objects.
1 Chronicles 6:1-53: Provides extensive genealogies for these three Levitical clans.
Joshua 21:1-42: Lists the 48 cities given to the Levites throughout the tribes of Israel, fulfilling God's provision for them in the Promised Land.

Cross references

1 Chr 9 (Levitical duties in Jerusalem); 1 Chr 15 (Levites carrying the Ark); Neh 11 (Levites after the exile).

Numbers 3:40-51

And the LORD said to Moses, “List all the firstborn males of the people of Israel, from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names. And you shall take the Levites for me—I am the LORD—instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel... So Moses listed all the firstborn among the people of Israel, as the LORD commanded him. And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those listed, were 22,273... And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel... and the money by which the excess number of them is redeemed you shall give to Aaron and his sons.” So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the Levites. From the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the money, 1,365 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary. And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

In-depth-analysis

The Final Tally: A census of all non-Levite firstborn males reveals 22,273 individuals.
The Transaction: God orchestrates a direct, one-for-one exchange: the 22,000 eligible Levites "redeem" 22,000 of the Israelite firstborns.
Redemption Price: The remaining 273 firstborns (22,273 - 22,000) have no Levitical substitute. They must be redeemed monetarily. The price is set at five shekels per head.
Word: The price is a pidyon, a redemption price. This reinforces the idea that what is consecrated to God must either be dedicated to Him or bought back.
Total and Recipient: The total sum of 1,365 shekels (273 x 5) is collected and given to Aaron and his sons, not kept by Moses or the Levites. This serves both to provide for the priesthood and to underscore their authority as the ultimate recipients of that which is dedicated to God.

Bible references

Exodus 30:13-16: "...a half shekel... as an offering to the LORD... to make atonement for your souls." (Establishes the principle of atonement money by the "shekel of the sanctuary").
Numbers 18:16: "And their redemption price... you shall fix at five shekels of silver..." (Specifies the five-shekel price for redeeming a firstborn human, which is applied here).
1 Peter 1:18-19: "...you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you... not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ..." (The NT uses this Old Testament concept of monetary redemption as a shadow or type to explain the infinitely greater value of Christ's spiritual redemption).

Cross references

Lev 27:6, 27 (redemption values); Neh 10:32 (post-exilic commitment to temple tax).

Numbers chapter 3 analysis

Order as Holiness: The precise arrangement of the camp, with the Tabernacle at the center, the priests at the entrance, and the Levitical clans forming a protective perimeter, is a physical representation of spiritual reality. Proximity to the center equates to proximity to God's presence, which requires a greater degree of consecration and comes with greater responsibility and danger.
Substitution as a Core Doctrine: The entire chapter is built on the principle of substitution. The Levites substitute for the firstborn, a system of representation that protects both God's holiness and Israel's social structure. This prefigures the ultimate substitutionary work of Christ, who stands in the place of all believers.
Corporate Identity: Unlike the military census which counted individuals as soldiers, the Levitical census counted them from one month old. Their value was in their corporate identity as the chosen tribe, not their individual function. This highlights that their role was an issue of status and being, not just doing.
Dependence on God: The Levites (and priests) did not receive a tribal land allotment like the others. Their inheritance was the Lord Himself (Num 18:20), and their sustenance came from the tithes and offerings of the people. This system was designed to foster a continual dependence on God and on the covenant faithfulness of their brothers.

Numbers 3 summary

This chapter meticulously details God's selection of the tribe of Levi for sanctuary service. It establishes their subordinate, yet essential, role as assistants to the Aaronic priesthood and as a holy guard around the Tabernacle. Through a divine census, the Levites are formally substituted for the firstborn males of Israel, who were previously consecrated to God. The chapter concludes with the practical and symbolic act of redeeming the surplus Israelite firstborns with a monetary payment, cementing the Levitical system of representation and service at the heart of Israel's community.

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Numbers chapter 3 kjv

¹ These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai.
² And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
³ These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.
⁴ And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father.
⁵ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
⁶ Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.
⁷ 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.
⁸ And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.
⁹ And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.
¹⁰ And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
¹¹ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
¹² And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;
¹³ Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.
¹⁴ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
¹⁵ 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.
¹⁶ And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.
¹⁷ And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.
¹⁸ And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei.
¹⁹ And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
²⁰ And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.
²¹ Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
²² Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred.
²³ The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.
²⁴ And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael.
²⁵ And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
²⁶ And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof.
²⁷ And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.
²⁸ 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.
²⁹ The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward.
³⁰ And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.
³¹ And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.
³² And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.
³³ Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these are the families of Merari.
³⁴ And those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were six thousand and two hundred.
³⁵ And the chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail: these shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward.
³⁶ And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto,
³⁷ And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords.
³⁸ But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
³⁹ All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand.
⁴⁰ And the LORD said unto 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.
⁴¹ And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.
⁴² And Moses numbered, as the LORD commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel.
⁴³ 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 threescore and thirteen.
⁴⁴ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
⁴⁵ Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD.
⁴⁶ And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;
⁴⁷ Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:)
⁴⁸ And thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons.
⁴⁹ And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites:
⁵⁰ Of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
⁵¹ And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers chapter 3 nkjv

¹ Now these are the records of Aaron and Moses when the LORD spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.
² And these are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab, the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
³ These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he consecrated to minister as priests.
⁴ Nadab and Abihu had died before the LORD when they offered profane fire before the LORD in the Wilderness of Sinai; and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests in the presence of Aaron their father.
⁵ And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
⁶ "Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.
⁷ And they shall attend to his needs and the needs of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting, to do the work of the tabernacle.
⁸ Also they shall attend to all the furnishings of the tabernacle of meeting, and to the needs of the children of Israel, to do the work of the tabernacle.
⁹ And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are given entirely to him from among the children of Israel.
¹⁰ So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall attend to their priesthood; but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death."
¹¹ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
¹² "Now behold, I Myself have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the children of Israel. Therefore the Levites shall be Mine,
¹³ because all the firstborn are Mine. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They shall be Mine: I am the LORD."
¹⁴ Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying:
¹⁵ "Number the children of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families; you shall number every male from a month old and above."
¹⁶ So Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.
¹⁷ These were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
¹⁸ And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.
¹⁹ And the sons of Kohath by their families: Amram, Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
²⁰ And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites by their fathers' houses.
²¹ From Gershon came the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimites; these were the families of the Gershonites.
²² Those who were numbered, according to the number of all the males from a month old and above?of those who were numbered there were seven thousand five hundred.
²³ The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle westward.
²⁴ And the leader of the father's house of the Gershonites was Eliasaph the son of Lael.
²⁵ The duties of the children of Gershon in the tabernacle of meeting included the tabernacle, the tent with its covering, the screen for the door of the tabernacle of meeting,
²⁶ the screen for the door of the court, the hangings of the court which are around the tabernacle and the altar, and their cords, according to all the work relating to them.
²⁷ From Kohath came the family of the Amramites, the family of the Izharites, the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites; these were the families of the Kohathites.
²⁸ According to the number of all the males, from a month old and above, there were eight thousand six hundred keeping charge of the sanctuary.
²⁹ The families of the children of Kohath were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle.
³⁰ And the leader of the fathers' house of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.
³¹ Their duty included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered, the screen, and all the work relating to them.
³² And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was to be chief over the leaders of the Levites, with oversight of those who kept charge of the sanctuary.
³³ From Merari came the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari.
³⁴ And those who were numbered, according to the number of all the males from a month old and above, were six thousand two hundred.
³⁵ The leader of the fathers' house of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. These were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.
³⁶ And the appointed duty of the children of Merari included the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, its utensils, all the work relating to them,
³⁷ and the pillars of the court all around, with their sockets, their pegs, and their cords.
³⁸ Moreover those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tabernacle of meeting, were Moses, Aaron, and his sons, keeping charge of the sanctuary, to meet the needs of the children of Israel; but the outsider who came near was to be put to death.
³⁹ All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, by their families, all the males from a month old and above, were twenty-two thousand.
⁴⁰ Then the LORD said to Moses: "Number all the firstborn males of the children of Israel from a month old and above, and take the number of their names.
⁴¹ And you shall take the Levites for Me?I am the LORD?instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel."
⁴² So Moses numbered all the firstborn among the children of Israel, as the LORD commanded him.
⁴³ And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names from a month old and above, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.
⁴⁴ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
⁴⁵ "Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock. The Levites shall be Mine: I am the LORD.
⁴⁶ And for the redemption of the two hundred and seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who are more than the number of the Levites,
⁴⁷ you shall take five shekels for each one individually; you shall take them in the currency of the shekel of the sanctuary, the shekel of twenty gerahs.
⁴⁸ And you shall give the money, with which the excess number of them is redeemed, to Aaron and his sons."
⁴⁹ So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those who were redeemed by the Levites.
⁵⁰ From the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.
⁵¹ And Moses gave their redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers chapter 3 niv

¹ This is the account of the family of Aaron and Moses at the time the LORD spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai.
² The names of the sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
³ Those were the names of Aaron's sons, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests.
⁴ Nadab and Abihu, however, died before the LORD when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai. They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.
⁵ The LORD said to Moses,
⁶ "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.
⁷ They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community at the tent of meeting by doing the work of the tabernacle.
⁸ They are to take care of all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, fulfilling the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the tabernacle.
⁹ Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him.
¹⁰ Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests; anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is to be put to death."
¹¹ The LORD also said to Moses,
¹² "I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine,
¹³ for all the firstborn are mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether human or animal. They are to be mine. I am the LORD."
¹⁴ The LORD said to Moses in the Desert of Sinai,
¹⁵ "Count the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more."
¹⁶ So Moses counted them, as he was commanded by the word of the LORD.
¹⁷ These were the names of the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.
¹⁸ These were the names of the Gershonite clans: Libni and Shimei.
¹⁹ The Kohathite clans: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.
²⁰ The Merarite clans: Mahli and Mushi. These were the Levite clans, according to their families.
²¹ To Gershon belonged the clans of the Libnites and Shimeites; these were the Gershonite clans.
²² The number of all the males a month old or more who were counted was 7,500.
²³ The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle.
²⁴ The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael.
²⁵ At the tent of meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle and tent, its coverings, the curtain at the entrance to the tent of meeting,
²⁶ the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, and the ropes?and everything related to their use.
²⁷ To Kohath belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites; these were the Kohathite clans.
²⁸ The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. The Kohathites were responsible for the care of the sanctuary.
²⁹ The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle.
³⁰ The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan son of Uzziel.
³¹ They were responsible for the care of the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain, and everything related to their use.
³² The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible for the care of the sanctuary.
³³ To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites; these were the Merarite clans.
³⁴ The number of all the males a month old or more who were counted was 6,200.
³⁵ The leader of the families of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.
³⁶ The Merarites were appointed to take care of the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,
³⁷ as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs and ropes.
³⁸ Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, in front of the tent of meeting. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.
³⁹ The total number of Levites counted at the LORD's command by Moses and Aaron according to their clans, including every male a month old or more, was 22,000.
⁴⁰ The LORD said to Moses, "Count all the firstborn Israelite males who are a month old or more and make a list of their names.
⁴¹ Take the Levites for me in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites. I am the LORD."
⁴² So Moses counted all the firstborn of the Israelites, as the LORD commanded him.
⁴³ The total number of firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273.
⁴⁴ The LORD also said to Moses,
⁴⁵ "Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites are to be mine. I am the LORD.
⁴⁶ To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites,
⁴⁷ collect five shekels for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs.
⁴⁸ Give the money for the redemption of the additional Israelites to Aaron and his sons."
⁴⁹ So Moses collected the redemption money from those who exceeded the number redeemed by the Levites.
⁵⁰ From the firstborn of the Israelites he collected silver weighing 1,365 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.
⁵¹ Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, as he was commanded by the word of the LORD.

Numbers chapter 3 esv

¹ These are the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the LORD spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.
² These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
³ These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests.
⁴ But Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father.
⁵ And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
⁶ "Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.
⁷ They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle.
⁸ They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.
⁹ And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are wholly given to him from among the people of Israel.
¹⁰ And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. But if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death."
¹¹ And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
¹² "Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine,
¹³ for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD."
¹⁴ And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
¹⁵ "List the sons of Levi, by fathers' houses and by clans; every male from a month old and upward you shall list."
¹⁶ So Moses listed them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.
¹⁷ And these were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon and Kohath and Merari.
¹⁸ And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei.
¹⁹ And the sons of Kohath by their clans: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
²⁰ And the sons of Merari by their clans: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites, by their fathers' houses.
²¹ To Gershon belonged the clan of the Libnites and the clan of the Shimeites; these were the clans of the Gershonites.
²² Their listing according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward was 7,500.
²³ The clans of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle on the west,
²⁴ with Eliasaph, the son of Lael as chief of the fathers' house of the Gershonites.
²⁵ And the guard duty of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting involved the tabernacle, the tent with its covering, the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting,
²⁶ the hangings of the court, the screen for the door of the court that is around the tabernacle and the altar, and its cords ? all the service connected with these.
²⁷ To Kohath belonged the clan of the Amramites and the clan of the Izharites and the clan of the Hebronites and the clan of the Uzzielites; these are the clans of the Kohathites.
²⁸ According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, there were 8,600, keeping guard over the sanctuary.
²⁹ The clans of the sons of Kohath were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle,
³⁰ with Elizaphan the son of Uzziel as chief of the fathers' house of the clans of the Kohathites.
³¹ And their guard duty involved the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the vessels of the sanctuary with which the priests minister, and the screen; all the service connected with these.
³² And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was to be chief over the chiefs of the Levites, and to have oversight of those who kept guard over the sanctuary.
³³ To Merari belonged the clan of the Mahlites and the clan of the Mushites: these are the clans of Merari.
³⁴ Their listing according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward was 6,200.
³⁵ And the chief of the fathers' house of the clans of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. They were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.
³⁶ And the appointed guard duty of the sons of Merari involved the frames of the tabernacle, the bars, the pillars, the bases, and all their accessories; all the service connected with these;
³⁷ also the pillars around the court, with their bases and pegs and cords.
³⁸ Those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, were Moses and Aaron and his sons, guarding the sanctuary itself, to protect the people of Israel. And any outsider who came near was to be put to death.
³⁹ All those listed among the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron listed at the commandment of the LORD, by clans, all the males from a month old and upward, were 22,000.
⁴⁰ And the LORD said to Moses, "List all the firstborn males of the people of Israel, from a month old and upward, taking the number of their names.
⁴¹ And you shall take the Levites for me ? I am the LORD ? instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the people of Israel."
⁴² So Moses listed all the firstborn among the people of Israel, as the LORD commanded him.
⁴³ And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names, from a month old and upward as listed were 22,273.
⁴⁴ And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
⁴⁵ "Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle. The Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD.
⁴⁶ And as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites,
⁴⁷ you shall take five shekels per head; you shall take them according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahs ),
⁴⁸ and give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for those who are over."
⁴⁹ So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the Levites.
⁵⁰ From the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the money, 1,365 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary.
⁵¹ And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers chapter 3 nlt

¹ This is the family line of Aaron and Moses as it was recorded when the LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai:
² The names of Aaron's sons were Nadab (the oldest), Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
³ These sons of Aaron were anointed and ordained to minister as priests.
⁴ But Nadab and Abihu died in the LORD's presence in the wilderness of Sinai when they burned before the LORD the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded. Since they had no sons, this left only Eleazar and Ithamar to serve as priests with their father, Aaron.
⁵ Then the LORD said to Moses,
⁶ "Call forward the tribe of Levi, and present them to Aaron the priest to serve as his assistants.
⁷ They will serve Aaron and the whole community, performing their sacred duties in and around the Tabernacle.
⁸ They will also maintain all the furnishings of the sacred tent, serving in the Tabernacle on behalf of all the Israelites.
⁹ Assign the Levites to Aaron and his sons. They have been given from among all the people of Israel to serve as their assistants.
¹⁰ Appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood. But any unauthorized person who goes too near the sanctuary must be put to death."
¹¹ And the LORD said to Moses,
¹² "Look, I have chosen the Levites from among the Israelites to serve as substitutes for all the firstborn sons of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me,
¹³ for all the firstborn males are mine. On the day I struck down all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both of people and of animals. They are mine; I am the LORD."
¹⁴ The LORD spoke again to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai. He said,
¹⁵ "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."
¹⁶ So Moses listed them, just as the LORD had commanded.
¹⁷ Levi had three sons, whose names were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
¹⁸ The clans descended from Gershon were named after two of his descendants, Libni and Shimei.
¹⁹ The clans descended from Kohath were named after four of his descendants, Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
²⁰ The clans descended from Merari were named after two of his descendants, Mahli and Mushi. These were the Levite clans, listed according to their family groups.
²¹ The descendants of Gershon were composed of the clans descended from Libni and Shimei.
²² There were 7,500 males one month old or older among these Gershonite clans.
²³ They were assigned the area to the west of the Tabernacle for their camp.
²⁴ The leader of the Gershonite clans was Eliasaph son of Lael.
²⁵ These two clans were responsible to care for the Tabernacle, including the sacred tent with its layers of coverings, the curtain at its entrance,
²⁶ the curtains of the courtyard that surrounded the Tabernacle and altar, the curtain at the courtyard entrance, the ropes, and all the equipment related to their use.
²⁷ The descendants of Kohath were composed of the clans descended from Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
²⁸ There were 8,600 males one month old or older among these Kohathite clans. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary,
²⁹ and they were assigned the area south of the Tabernacle for their camp.
³⁰ The leader of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan son of Uzziel.
³¹ These four clans were responsible for the care of the Ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the various articles used in the sanctuary, the inner curtain, and all the equipment related to their use.
³² Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, was the chief administrator over all the Levites, with special responsibility for the oversight of the sanctuary.
³³ The descendants of Merari were composed of the clans descended from Mahli and Mushi.
³⁴ There were 6,200 males one month old or older among these Merarite clans.
³⁵ They were assigned the area north of the Tabernacle for their camp. The leader of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail.
³⁶ These two clans were responsible for the care of the frames supporting the Tabernacle, the crossbars, the pillars, the bases, and all the equipment related to their use.
³⁷ They were also responsible for the posts of the courtyard and all their bases, pegs, and ropes.
³⁸ The area in front of the Tabernacle, in the east toward the sunrise, was reserved for the tents of Moses and of Aaron and his sons, who had the final responsibility for the sanctuary on behalf of the people of Israel. Anyone other than a priest or Levite who went too near the sanctuary was to be put to death.
³⁹ When Moses and Aaron counted the Levite clans at the LORD's command, the total number was 22,000 males one month old or older.
⁴⁰ Then the LORD said to Moses, "Now count all the firstborn sons in Israel who are one month old or older, and make a list of their names.
⁴¹ The Levites must be reserved for me as substitutes for the firstborn sons of Israel; I am the LORD. And the Levites' livestock must be reserved for me as substitutes for the firstborn livestock of the whole nation of Israel."
⁴² So Moses counted the firstborn sons of the people of Israel, just as the LORD had commanded.
⁴³ The number of firstborn sons who were one month old or older was 22,273.
⁴⁴ Then the LORD said to Moses,
⁴⁵ "Take the Levites as substitutes for the firstborn sons of the people of Israel. And take the livestock of the Levites as substitutes for the firstborn livestock of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me; I am the LORD.
⁴⁶ There are 273 more firstborn sons of Israel than there are Levites. To redeem these extra firstborn sons,
⁴⁷ collect five pieces of silver for each of them (each piece weighing the same as the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs).
⁴⁸ Give the silver to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for the extra firstborn sons."
⁴⁹ So Moses collected the silver for redeeming the firstborn sons of Israel who exceeded the number of Levites.
⁵⁰ He collected 1,365 pieces of silver on behalf of these firstborn sons of Israel (each piece weighing the same as the sanctuary shekel).
⁵¹ And Moses gave the silver for the redemption to Aaron and his sons, just as the LORD had commanded.