Numbers 3 28

Numbers 3:28 kjv

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.

Numbers 3:28 nkjv

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.

Numbers 3:28 niv

The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. The Kohathites were responsible for the care of the sanctuary.

Numbers 3:28 esv

According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, there were 8,600, keeping guard over the sanctuary.

Numbers 3:28 nlt

There were 8,600 males one month old or older among these Kohathite clans. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary,

Numbers 3 verses

Numbers 3 28 Meaning

Numbers 3:28 precisely records the census of the Kohathite clan of Levites, numbering eight thousand six hundred males who were one month old and above. These individuals were specially designated and entrusted with the crucial responsibility of meticulously guarding, carrying, and attending to the most sacred furnishings and holy articles within the sanctuary (the Tabernacle).

Numbers 3 28 Context

Numbers chapter 3 details the divinely mandated census of the tribe of Levi, distinguishing them from the general census of other Israelite tribes. While other tribes were counted for military service from twenty years old and upward, the Levites were counted from one month old, highlighting their unique dedication for exclusive service to the Tabernacle. This chapter meticulously assigns specific roles to the three main Levite families: Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites. Verse 28 focuses on the Kohathites, who were uniquely entrusted with the most sensitive and sacred task—handling and transporting the Tabernacle's holy vessels and furnishings, including the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, and the Altars, emphasizing the precision and reverence required in their duties. This meticulous ordering of numbers and roles underscored God's demand for orderliness and holiness in the administration of His dwelling place.

Numbers 3 28 Word analysis

• In the number of all the males (מִסְפַּר כָּל־זָכָר, mispar kol zakhar): The term "number" refers to an exact count or census. "All males" emphasizes that this specific count encompassed every male Kohathite, without exception based on fitness for battle, but purely for the purpose of tribal record and readiness for future Tabernacle service, emphasizing a thorough, comprehensive tally within their distinct divine appointment.
• from a month old and upward (מִבֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ וָמָעְלָה, miben chodesh u'ma'lah): This distinct age criterion of one month and older for the Levites highlights their complete consecration from the earliest possible stage of life. Unlike other tribes mustered for war (Num 1:3) at twenty years old, Levites were set apart for sacred service from infancy, signifying a complete and unique dedication to God's service and belonging to Him from birth.
• were eight thousand six hundred (שְׁמֹנַת אֲלָפִים וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת, shemonah alafim veshesh me'ot): This specific numerical figure provides the exact tally of the male Kohathites, detailing God's precise and ordered structure for His tabernacle service personnel. The precise accounting points to God's divine organization and forethought in establishing the roles and responsibilities within the Israelite community, specifically for their spiritual function.
• keeping the charge of the sanctuary (שֹׁמְרֵי מִשְׁמֶרֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ, shomrei mishmeret ha-kodesh): This phrase describes the solemn and profound duty of the Kohathites. "Keeping the charge" (shomrei mishmeret) signifies being guardians, overseers, or faithful stewards of a sacred trust or responsibility. "Sanctuary" (ha-kodesh) specifically refers to the most holy elements of the Tabernacle and its contents (the Ark, altars, table, lampstand). Their duty involved not merely passive protection, but active and reverent care, carrying, and maintenance, given the inherent holiness and danger of God's direct presence, as tragically demonstrated in other biblical accounts (e.g., Uzzah in 2 Sam 6:6-7). This duty required meticulous obedience and purity.

• Words-group by Words-group Analysis:
• In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward: This opening phrase precisely defines the criteria for the Kohathite census, underscoring that their entire male lineage, regardless of physical maturity for warfare, was consecrated from near birth to God's exclusive service. This sets them apart from the rest of Israel, signifying a foundational, pervasive dedication to spiritual duties across generations.
• eight thousand six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary: This phrase links the statistical outcome of the census directly to the sacred purpose and profound responsibility of those counted. It's not merely a demographic count but identifies the exact personnel consecrated and assigned to the grave duty of maintaining and transporting the physical embodiment of God's holy presence among His people, emphasizing stewardship over the holiest items.

Numbers 3 28 Bonus section

• The overall total number of male Kohathites recorded in Numbers 3:28 (8,600) is a larger figure than the 2,750 Kohathites counted in Numbers 4:36 who were specifically aged 30 to 50, which was the age range for active, burden-bearing service. This highlights that while all Kohathite males were counted as consecrated to God for His service from infancy, only a subset was physically mature and designated for the most strenuous and critical tasks of bearing the holy objects. The younger and older Levites had other supporting roles or were in training.
• The meticulous accounting of Levite families and their assigned duties throughout Numbers emphasizes God's precision in divine order and the sacred nature of His Tabernacle and worship. This points to the principle that God desires an orderly and well-organized approach to ministry and spiritual responsibilities.
• The Kohathites carrying the sacred vessels served as a vivid object lesson for Israel. It visually reinforced the concept of holiness, the separation required for those handling God's presence, and the importance of adhering to divine protocols to avoid sacrilege, which was often met with severe judgment. This foresight in design pointed to a deep respect for the holiness of God.

Numbers 3 28 Commentary

Numbers 3:28 precisely states that 8,600 Kohathite males, aged one month and above, were responsible for guarding the sanctuary. This meticulous census highlights God's demand for order and accountability in sacred service. The Levites, particularly the Kohathites, were separated from other tribes from infancy, demonstrating their full consecration for spiritual duties rather than military ones. Their specific "charge of the sanctuary" involved handling the Tabernacle's most sacred articles—a task of immense gravity and potential peril, demanding utmost reverence and obedience to divine instructions. This commitment prefigured the importance of careful stewardship of spiritual truth and worship in the New Covenant.