Numbers 4 36

Numbers 4:36 kjv

And those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.

Numbers 4:36 nkjv

and those who were numbered by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.

Numbers 4:36 niv

counted by clans, were 2,750.

Numbers 4:36 esv

and those listed by clans were 2,750.

Numbers 4:36 nlt

and the total number came to 2,750.

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 36 Meaning

Numbers 4:36 specifies the exact count of men from the Merarite clan, aged thirty to fifty, who were qualified and mustered for the direct and physical service of transporting the tabernacle's substantial structural components during Israel's wilderness journeys. This enumeration signifies a divinely ordered selection and a precise allocation of duties necessary for the sacred and mobile sanctuary.

Numbers 4 36 Context

Numbers chapter 4 meticulously details the specific duties of the three Levitical clans—the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites—who were responsible for disassembling, transporting, and reassembling the tabernacle components during Israel's wilderness wanderings. Each clan had distinct assignments to ensure the sanctity and orderliness of the holy dwelling. This verse specifically concludes the census for the Merarite clan, following the earlier counts of the Kohathites and Gershonites. The broader historical context is Israel's journey from Sinai, where God had established the covenant, provided the law, and commanded the construction of His dwelling place among them. The rigorous organization of the Levites highlights God's demand for reverence, order, and precise obedience in all matters related to His holy presence.

Numbers 4 36 Word analysis

• And their numbered ones (וּפְקֻדֵיהֶם - u’f’qudeihem): From the Hebrew root פָּקַד (paqad), meaning "to muster, count, visit, inspect, appoint." This is more than a simple headcount; it signifies a divinely commanded registration, an intentional appointment, and an inspection for qualification. It implies accountability and specific inclusion for sacred service, highlighting that these individuals were not self-appointed but identified by God's decree.
• of the families (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹת - le'mishpechot): From מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah), meaning "clan" or "family." This emphasizes the divinely ordained structure of Israel, where service roles were distributed along genealogical lines, linking the individual's sacred duty to their heritage and collective responsibility within their specific clan.
• of the sons (בְּנֵי - b'nei): A common construct signifying "sons of" or "descendants of," indicating the lineage.
• of Merari (מְרָרִי - M’rari): Merari was the youngest of Levi's three sons. His descendants were uniquely entrusted with the heaviest and most structurally integral parts of the tabernacle: the frames, bars, pillars, and sockets (Numbers 4:31-32). Though "Merari" itself might be linked to bitterness (מַר - mar), symbolizing the arduous nature of their service, their role was fundamental to the tabernacle's physical integrity.
• according to all that entered into the service (לְכֹל הַבָּא בָּעֲבֹדָה - l'khol ha'ba ba'avodah): "Entered" (בָּא - ba) signifies active initiation and eligibility, not just a general presence. "Service" (עֲבֹדָה - avodah) denotes diligent, dedicated work, often labor-intensive, particularly in a context of serving God or a master. Here, it is consecrated work specifically tied to the sacred tasks of the Tabernacle, requiring full commitment and vigor.
• for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation (לַעֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - la'avodat ohel mo'ed): "Work" again uses avodah, stressing the practical, physical aspect of their ministry. "Tabernacle of Meeting" or "Tabernacle of Congregation" (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - ohel mo'ed) is the focal point where God met with His people, signifying the supreme importance and holy nature of the object of their labor. Their demanding physical service facilitated divine communion.
• were six hundred and twenty (שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת וְעֶשְׂרִים - shesh me'ot v'esrim): The precise number underscores God's meticulous ordering and the accountability of His people. It highlights the exact manpower allocated for a critical and weighty task.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari": This phrase encapsulates the structured, authoritative, and lineage-based approach to Levitical service. It highlights that participation was not voluntary or self-appointed but mandated through a divine census that identified specific individuals within their assigned tribal and family groups, establishing a clear line of responsibility.
• "according to all that entered into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation": This clarifies the precise qualification and purpose of their count. It was a census for active duty, defining those mature and able enough to begin and consistently perform the arduous, consecrated labor required for the holy Tabernacle. This was not a passive status but an enrollment for dedicated physical and spiritual exertion on behalf of God's dwelling.

Numbers 4 36 Bonus section

• The Merarites, despite having the smallest number of active servants (620) compared to the Kohathites (2750) and Gershonites (2630), were responsible for the largest and heaviest physical components of the Tabernacle, necessitating specialized wagons and oxen provided by the tribal chiefs (Num 7:8). This highlights that importance in God's service is not always correlated with sheer numbers or visible grandeur but with the essential nature and arduousness of the task.
• The stringent age range (30-50 years) for full-time Tabernacle service emphasized that these weighty responsibilities required both the full vigor of early adulthood and the accumulated wisdom and discipline gained through experience, ensuring competence and reliability in handling holy objects.
• This passage illustrates a key aspect of God's design for community and worship: the specific gifting and assignment of diverse tasks within the unified body, ensuring every necessary function is meticulously covered for the common purpose of glorifying God and sustaining His presence.

Numbers 4 36 Commentary

Numbers 4:36 provides a concise yet profound insight into God's detailed ordering of sacred service. It meticulously accounts for 620 Merarite men, specifically within the prime age of physical strength and mature judgment (30 to 50 years old), designated to bear the exceptionally heavy and fundamental components of the Tabernacle—its solid structure of boards, bars, pillars, and sockets. This precise enumeration underscores that nothing in God's worship or divine arrangement is arbitrary or left to chance. Every individual counted had a vital, albeit laborious, role to play in facilitating the presence of God among His people in the wilderness. The dedication of these specific Levites reflects a core principle of divine service: it requires physical capability, mature spiritual understanding, specific assignment, and a disciplined commitment to meticulous order. This dedication ensured the reverence, stability, and mobility of the sacred dwelling, making possible the journey and ongoing covenant relationship with God.