Numbers 3 16

Numbers 3:16 kjv

And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.

Numbers 3:16 nkjv

So Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.

Numbers 3:16 niv

So Moses counted them, as he was commanded by the word of the LORD.

Numbers 3:16 esv

So Moses listed them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.

Numbers 3:16 nlt

So Moses listed them, just as the LORD had commanded.

Numbers 3 verses

Numbers 3 16 Meaning

Numbers 3:16 establishes the immediate consequence and faithful execution of God's prior command to Moses regarding the numbering of the Levites. It underscores that Moses acted precisely according to the explicit instructions and sovereign will of the Lord, organizing and counting this specific tribe dedicated to sacred service. The verse emphasizes divine initiative and human obedience in establishing order for the wilderness Tabernacle and the nation of Israel.

Numbers 3 16 Context

Numbers chapter 3 introduces a distinct census for the tribe of Levi, different from the general military census of chapters 1-2. This census is specific to male Levites from one month old and upward (Num 3:15), because they were set apart for service to the Tabernacle. This was a substitution for all the firstborn males of Israel (Num 3:11-13), who were initially consecrated to God as a remembrance of the Passover deliverance. Therefore, the Levites were dedicated to sacred duties: assisting Aaron and his sons (the priests), dismantling, transporting, and reassembling the Tabernacle, and guarding its holiness. Verse 16 directly follows God's command to Moses to number them and provides an assurance that Moses faithfully carried out this intricate, divinely ordained task, ensuring proper order and structure for the sacred community centered around God's dwelling place in the wilderness.

Numbers 3 16 Word analysis

• So (וַיִּפְקֹד - va·yiph·qōd): This word functions as a conjunctive, indicating a direct consequence or continuation of the preceding divine instruction (Num 3:15). It connects God's command with Moses' immediate action. The Hebrew verb is pakad (פָּקַד), which means not just "to count" or "number," but often carries a deeper connotation of "to visit," "to muster," "to appoint," "to oversee," or "to charge." Here, it signifies a divine act of mustering and organizing the Levites with a specific purpose and assignment, emphasizing God's careful organization of His people for sacred service.
• Moses (מֹשֶׁה - Mōsheh): The designated leader and mediator between God and Israel. His name is consistently mentioned to highlight his authoritative role in executing divine commands. He acts not on his own initiative but as a faithful servant carrying out the Lord's will.
• numbered them (וַיִּפְקֹד אֹתָם - va·yiph·qōd ʾō·ṯām): This repeats the verb pakad, emphasizing the thoroughness and purposefulness of the counting. "Them" refers to the male Levites who were to be distinguished by their families and households. This counting was for the purpose of their sacred duties.
• according to the word (עַל פִּי - ʿal pî): Literally translates to "at the mouth of" or "by the mouth of." This idiomatic phrase powerfully conveys the direct, verbal, and authoritative nature of the divine instruction. It leaves no room for human interpretation, modification, or error. Moses received precise, clear instructions.
• of the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the sacred covenant name of God, revealing Him as the personal, faithful, and supreme sovereign God of Israel. It emphasizes that the command originates from the ultimate, unchanging divine authority, guaranteeing its legitimacy and importance.
• as he was commanded (כַּאֲשֶׁר צֻוָּה - kaʾăšer ṣūv·wāh): The passive voice here ("he was commanded") further underscores that Moses was not acting on his own will but was under divine compulsion and instruction. The phrase reinforces the concept of obedience, showing Moses' full alignment with the divine will. It emphasizes that the execution was exact, without deviation or omission, ensuring that the act was fully sanctioned by God.
• Word-group analysis:
  • "So Moses numbered them": This phrase establishes the immediate, obedient action taken by Moses. It marks the commencement of the specific Levitical census as directed by God.
  • "according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded": This entire phrase serves as a divine affirmation clause, frequently used throughout the Pentateuch (especially in Exodus and Numbers) to confirm that the detailed instructions from God were fulfilled with absolute fidelity by His chosen servant. It underlines the precision and authority inherent in God's commands and Moses' perfect execution thereof. This formulation eradicates any doubt about the divine sanction behind the acts being described.

Numbers 3 16 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of phrases like "according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded" throughout the Pentateuch (especially in the sections detailing the Tabernacle construction and arrangements, e.g., Exod 39:42, 40:16) serves as a theological affirmation. This literary device emphasizes God's sovereign initiative and meticulous design, contrasting sharply with human fallibility and self-reliance. It demonstrates that the entire structure, personnel, and service of the Tabernacle—the heart of Israelite worship—were not products of human ingenuity or tradition but direct divine mandates. This meticulous recording of obedience validates the divine authority behind Israel's laws and practices. In Christian theology, this strict adherence foreshadows Christ's perfect obedience to the Father's will (John 4:34; Phil 2:8), establishing His mediatorial role and redemptive work. The census also differentiates a divinely ordered assembly (Israel and the Levites) from chaotic or self-appointed religious systems prevalent in pagan cultures of the time.

Numbers 3 16 Commentary

Numbers 3:16 serves as a pivotal summary statement, highlighting Moses' absolute and precise obedience to God's directive. This verse is not merely a descriptive action but a profound theological statement. It confirms that the detailed organization and census of the Levites were carried out meticulously as God willed, reflecting His orderly nature and meticulous concern for the holy service. Moses' action is portrayed as a perfect response to divine command, emphasizing that legitimate authority and successful outcomes in God's kingdom stem from unwavering faithfulness to His word. It underscores the sanctity and order required for proper worship and communal life in ancient Israel, established under direct divine supervision. This set an example for the Israelites and future generations, demonstrating that effective spiritual leadership involves faithfully executing what God has commanded, without addition or subtraction.