Numbers 4 34

Numbers 4:34 kjv

And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and after the house of their fathers,

Numbers 4:34 nkjv

And Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites by their families and by their fathers' house,

Numbers 4:34 niv

Moses, Aaron and the leaders of the community counted the Kohathites by their clans and families.

Numbers 4:34 esv

And Moses and Aaron and the chiefs of the congregation listed the sons of the Kohathites, by their clans and their fathers' houses,

Numbers 4:34 nlt

So Moses, Aaron, and the other leaders of the community listed the members of the Kohathite division by their clans and families.

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 34 Meaning

Numbers 4:34 details the commencement of a divinely commanded census specific to the Kohathite clan of Levi. It specifies the leadership responsible for this count—Moses, Aaron, and the appointed chiefs of the congregation—and clarifies that the numbering was conducted meticulously by family and ancestral households. This meticulous registry served to identify and organize the Levites for their distinct and sacred service in transporting the most holy articles of the Tabernacle, ensuring order and accountability in their sacred duties.

Numbers 4 34 Context

Numbers chapter 4 is dedicated to outlining the specific duties of the three Levitical clans—Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites—in relation to the Tabernacle's transport during Israel's wilderness wanderings. Unlike the general census for military service (Numbers 1) or the enumeration of all Levites (Numbers 3), chapter 4 focuses specifically on those Levite males aged 30 to 50, who were qualified and able to bear the heavy sacred objects. Verse 34 introduces the counting of the Kohathites, who held the most sacred responsibility: the direct carrying of the ark, the table of showbread, the lampstand, altars, and other holy vessels, after they had been covered by Aaron and his sons. The meticulous numbering by clan and father's house ensured every eligible male was identified, their specific task assigned, and accountability established for the preservation of holiness and order during the highly significant movement of God's dwelling place.

Numbers 4 34 Word analysis

• So (וַיִּפְקֹד - Vayyipqod): Literally "and he numbered" or "and he mustered" or "and he visited." The initial "waw" connective links it to the preceding commands. The verb paqad implies more than mere counting; it often conveys the idea of inspecting, overseeing, charging with duty, or holding an accountability. Here, it signifies a precise, authoritative inspection for sacred service. Its use reinforces the serious, divinely commanded nature of the census for priestly work.
• Moses (מֹשֶׁה - Mosheh): The divinely appointed leader, mediator of the covenant, and direct recipient of God's commands. His inclusion emphasizes the divine authority behind this census, not merely human initiative. His role underscores the spiritual significance of the activity.
• and Aaron (וְאַהֲרֹן - v'Aharon): The High Priest, representative of the priestly order and holiness. Aaron's presence highlights the sacred nature of the task and its direct connection to the priestly ministry. He embodies the practical aspects of tabernacle service.
• and the chiefs (וּנְשִׂיאֵי - u'nesiyei): Literally "and the princes" or "leaders." These were representative heads of the tribes of Israel, acting as assistants and validating the process. Their involvement ensures the transparency, legitimacy, and collective endorsement by the entire congregation of Israel. It also signifies a shared responsibility in the divine command.
• of the congregation (הָֽעֵדָה - ha'edah): Referring to the entire community or assembly of Israel. This term emphasizes the communal aspect of their worship and organization. The census was not an arbitrary action but a well-ordered process overseen by communal representatives, reflecting the Lord's dealings with His people as a whole.
• numbered (אֶת־בְּנֵי֙ קְהָ֔ת - et b'nei Qehat): The direct object marker "et" preceding "sons of Kohath." The "numbered" here continues the sense of "inspected for duty."
• the sons (בְּנֵי֙ - b'nei): Descendants, signifying direct lineage and generational responsibility within the covenant community.
• of the Kohathites (קְהָ֔ת - Qehat): One of the three major clans descended from Levi, singled out for specific, high-responsibility duties related to the holiest objects of the Tabernacle. Their unique sacred trust is what necessitates this specialized census.
• by their clans (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם - l'mishp'chotam): From mishpachah, referring to a large family group or sub-tribe. This emphasizes organizational precision. It ensured that individuals were counted within their recognized extended family units, preventing omissions or double-counting, and maintaining the tribal structure.
• and fathers' houses (וּלְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם׃ - u'l'beit avotam): Even smaller, more specific ancestral households within the larger clans. This level of detail speaks to the extreme exactness and comprehensive nature required by God for this sacred service. It highlights the divine emphasis on order, lineage, and precise identification for sacred duty.

Words-group analysis

• "Moses and Aaron and the chiefs of the congregation": This triumvirate represents the highest levels of spiritual and temporal authority within Israel, acting in unified leadership. It demonstrates that the command originated from God (through Moses), executed by the spiritual head (Aaron), and supported by the community's elected representatives. This ensures broad compliance and acknowledgment of the census's legitimacy and divine sanction. It establishes a model of ordered authority and shared responsibility in service to God.
• "numbered the sons of the Kohathites": The verb paqad used with "sons of Kohath" directly ties the act of counting to their specific purpose: to ready them for their sacred work. It signifies not just an enumeration but an enrollment, an activation for consecrated duty, emphasizing that every eligible Kohathite was recognized and accountable for his particular, weighty service.
• "by their clans and fathers' houses": This phrase stresses the profound emphasis on order, structure, and genealogical integrity within God's chosen people. It demonstrates a hierarchical, precise method of organization down to the smallest recognized family unit, crucial for ensuring accountability, identifying individual responsibilities, and maintaining the purity of service in a holy tent in a holy manner. It underscores God's delight in orderliness in all matters of worship and ministry.

Numbers 4 34 Bonus section

The act of numbering, paqad, here implies a divine accounting—God takes notice of those consecrated for His service. This is not merely an administrative task but an enrollment for divine appointment. The specific age range (30-50 for full service as seen in 4:3) signifies spiritual maturity, physical capability, and wisdom acquired through experience—qualities essential for handling the weighty responsibilities of God's sacred articles. This detailed census prevented unauthorized individuals from handling holy things, thereby safeguarding against divine wrath and maintaining the purity required for encountering the divine presence. The shared leadership of Moses, Aaron, and the tribal chiefs foreshadows a pattern of collective oversight for major communal undertakings, even under direct divine command, demonstrating the importance of consensus and delegation in spiritual administration.

Numbers 4 34 Commentary

Numbers 4:34 presents a snapshot of the highly organized and divinely mandated system for sacred service within ancient Israel. The meticulous numbering of the Kohathites, personally overseen by Moses, Aaron, and the community leaders, highlights the paramount importance God placed on order, accountability, and the proper identification of those entrusted with holy tasks. This was not a general population count, but a targeted census of mature, able-bodied men within a specific Levitical clan, preparing them for the incredibly sensitive work of transporting the Tabernacle's most sacred furniture. The granular detail, "by their clans and fathers' houses," underscores the divine expectation for precision and structural integrity in the administration of worship. This detailed order was essential to maintain the sanctity of God's presence, prevent errors that could lead to spiritual defilement or death, and ensure the effective, coordinated movement of the very dwelling place of God. In essence, it shows that true worship and service to God require deliberate preparation, precise organization, and dedicated individuals acting under recognized authority.