Numbers 3:24 meaning, Cross Ref, ai commentary KJV NIV ESV NLT

Numbers 3:24 kjv

And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael.

Numbers 3:24 nkjv

And the leader of the father's house of the Gershonites was Eliasaph the son of Lael.

Numbers 3:24 niv

The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael.

Numbers 3:24 esv

with Eliasaph, the son of Lael as chief of the fathers' house of the Gershonites.

Numbers 3:24 nlt

The leader of the Gershonite clans was Eliasaph son of Lael.

Numbers 3 24 Cross References

Verse	Text	Reference
Num 3:23	The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle...	Introduces the Gershonite clan's position.
Num 3:21-22	Of Gershon were the family of the Libnites... those that were counted were 7,500.	Precedes with the census and family names.
Num 4:24-28	This is the service of the families of the Gershonites...	Details the specific duties of the Gershonites.
Num 3:30	The chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan...	Parallel structure for another Levitical clan.
Num 3:35	The chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari was Zuriel...	Parallel structure for the third Levitical clan.
Num 1:16	These were chosen from the assembly, leaders of their ancestral tribes...	Principles of appointed leaders in the tribes.
Num 7:1-83	Details the offerings of the chiefs for the dedication of the altar.	Leaders making specific contributions.
Num 10:14	...leading the first division, tribe of the sons of Judah...	Leadership in camp movement.
Exod 18:25	Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people..	Establishing appointed leaders.
Deut 1:15	So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men...	Leaders appointed by God's servant Moses.
Josh 7:18	...then Joshua had him brought near man by man, and he took Achan...	Clan-based identification and responsibility.
1 Chron 23:7-11	Of the Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei.	Later organization of Gershonite families.
1 Chron 23:24-32	These are the sons of Levi according to their father's houses... duties...	Defines Levitical duties and their organization.
1 Cor 14:33	For God is not a God of disorder but of peace...	Principle of divine order and structure.
Heb 5:4	No one takes this honor for himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.	Principle of divinely appointed authority.
Rom 13:1	Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.	Respect for established authority.
Eph 4:11-12	So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets... to equip his people...	Divine appointment of leaders in the church.
Titus 1:5	The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders...	Appointment of leaders in early church.
1 Pet 5:2-3	Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care... not lording it over.	Proper exercise of leadership within God's people.
Gen 17:5	No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.	Significance of names as divinely ordained.
1 Sam 2:30	...for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me will be disdained.	God's honor to those serving Him in obedience.
Mal 3:18	You will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.	God's distinction among those who serve Him.

Numbers 3 verses

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Numbers 3 24 Meaning

Numbers 3:24 identifies Eliasaph, son of Lael, as the divinely appointed chief of the Gershonite clan. This verse highlights God's meticulous ordering of the Israelite camp and Tabernacle service, assigning specific leaders to the Levites, who were consecrated for sacred duties. It underscores the importance of hierarchical structure and divinely sanctioned authority in carrying out the Lord's commands.

Numbers 3 24 Context

Numbers 3 provides a detailed account of the Levitical census and the assignment of their specific duties in serving the Tabernacle. Following the initial general census of Israel's fighting men (Num 1), this chapter focuses solely on the Levites, who were set apart as a substitute for the firstborn of Israel to minister to the Lord. It systematically lists the sons of Levi (Gershon, Kohath, Merari), their clans, and their numerical strength. Numbers 3:24 specifically introduces the designated head of the Gershonite clan, Eliasaph, emphasizing the precise, divinely ordained structure for managing the sacred components of the Tabernacle and its services, a sharp contrast to the disorganized or self-appointed religious practices prevalent among surrounding pagan cultures. This structure ensures reverence, order, and accountability in their holy duties.

Numbers 3 24 Word analysis

And the chief (וְנָשִׂיא - ve-nasi):
- And: Connects this verse to the preceding verses describing the Gershonite families and their placement.
- chief: Hebrew nasi (נָשִׂיא). More than just a simple leader; it implies a "prince" or an "elevated" one, often chosen by divine designation or by a large group. This term denotes significant authority, indicating he was the divinely recognized and authorized head of this particular tribal division, accountable for the order and service of his clan.
of the house of the father (בֵּית־אָב - beit-av):
- Refers to a patriarchal household or ancestral house, a key administrative and social unit within Israelite society. It denotes a family lineage tracing back to a common male ancestor, signifying the smallest recognized unit within a larger clan (mishpachah). The specific leader governs this ancestral line within the Gershonite framework.
of the families (מִשְׁפָּחוֹת - mishpachot):
- Hebrew mishpachot, meaning "clans" or "families" in a broader sense than beit-av. It refers to a major subdivision of a tribe, encompassing several beit-av units. Eliasaph's authority extended over all these subclans within the Gershonite lineage.
of the Gershonites (הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּי - ha-Gershunni):
- Descendants of Gershon, the eldest son of Levi (Exod 6:16). Their specific role involved the care and transport of the Tabernacle's coverings, curtains, and ropes (Num 4:24-26). This name identifies the specific group Eliasaph led.
shall be Eliasaph (אֶלְיָסָף - Elyasaf):
- Hebrew name Elyasaf (אֶלְיָסָף). Literally means "God has added" or "God has gathered." The name itself is a statement of God's direct involvement in His people and His divine purpose in raising leaders for His service. It highlights God's sovereignty in appointment.
the son of Lael (בֶּן־לָאֵל - ben La'el):
- son of Lael: Hebrew La'el (לָאֵל) means "to God" or "of God." This paternal lineage grounds Eliasaph's authority within the established tribal and clan structures of Israel. It emphasizes that this appointment wasn't arbitrary but placed within a recognized family, possibly hinting at their devotion "to God."

Words-group by words-group analysis

"And the chief of the house of the father": This phrase emphasizes the hierarchical structure chosen by God. The "chief" (nasi) indicates a prince-like leader, not just an ordinary head, highlighting divine appointment. The "house of the father" defines the specific family unit he leads, grounding his authority in a patriarchal lineage within the broader clan structure.
"of the families of the Gershonites": This broadens Eliasaph's sphere of influence from a specific paternal house to the entire extended clan of the Gershonites, responsible for the lighter Tabernacle coverings and hangings. It pinpoints the exact group within the Levites that this specific chief would govern, demonstrating God's meticulous organizational design for the Tabernacle service.
"shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael": This directly names the individual divinely appointed to this significant leadership role. The inclusion of his father's name, "Lael," meaning "to God," potentially underscores a familial devotion or spiritual orientation "to God" as a characteristic fitting for leaders in sacred service. The very name Eliasaph, "God has added," subtly proclaims divine agency in this appointment.

Numbers 3 24 Bonus section

The specificity of identifying "Eliasaph the son of Lael" not only places him within a verifiable lineage but also hints at the potential significance of the names themselves. "Lael" ("to God") suggests a heritage oriented towards the Divine, which might have predisposed the family for service. "Eliasaph" ("God has added") reflects God's action in choosing and empowering this individual. This is a common biblical theme where names carry prophetic or descriptive weight, particularly for those in positions of leadership or significance. The system of appointing chiefs for each Levitical family (Gershonite, Kohathite, Merarite) highlights a core principle of distributed leadership under one overall authority (Moses and later the High Priest), ensuring both accountability and the proper management of varied sacred tasks within the unified Tabernacle ministry. This was crucial for maintaining holiness and preventing defilement in their approach to God.

Numbers 3 24 Commentary

Numbers 3:24 serves as a precise administrative record within God's meticulously designed structure for the Israelite community and Tabernacle service. It names Eliasaph, son of Lael, as the leader over the Gershonite families, demonstrating divine particularity in selecting those entrusted with sacred responsibility. This detail emphasizes God's nature as a God of order and not chaos (1 Cor 14:33), where every aspect of worship and community life is systematically arranged. Eliasaph's appointment was not by human democratic choice but by divine decree, passed through Moses, reflecting a pattern of divinely sanctioned leadership (Heb 5:4). His role would have been critical for the effective setup, movement, and maintenance of the Tabernacle components, embodying the principle that spiritual duties require structured authority for proper execution.