Numbers 4 38

Numbers 4:38 kjv

And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers,

Numbers 4:38 nkjv

And those who were numbered of the sons of Gershon, by their families and by their fathers' house,

Numbers 4:38 niv

The Gershonites were counted by their clans and families.

Numbers 4:38 esv

Those listed of the sons of Gershon, by their clans and their fathers' houses,

Numbers 4:38 nlt

The Gershonite division was also listed by its clans and families.

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 38 Meaning

Numbers 4:38 states the precise count of those among the Merarite families who were enlisted for service in the Tabernacle. It emphasizes that this census was conducted by Moses and Aaron in strict obedience to a direct command from the Lord, delivered through Moses, affirming the divine origin and authorization of their assigned duties.

Numbers 4 38 Context

Numbers 4:38 is part of a detailed accounting of the Levites, specifically their enumeration and assignment of duties related to the Tabernacle's upkeep and transport during Israel's wilderness wanderings. The broader context of Numbers chapters 1-4 involves a census of the Israelite tribes, first for military service, and then a specific census of the Levites, from one month old and upwards, dedicated to the service of the Tabernacle in place of the firstborn of Israel. Chapter 4 then narrows the focus to Levite males between 30 and 50 years of age who were qualified for active service in dismantling, transporting, and reassembling the Tabernacle. This verse concludes the specific census for the Merarite clan (verses 29-37), who were responsible for the heaviest and most foundational parts of the Tabernacle structure. Historically, this precise organization reflects God's emphasis on order, holiness, and the meticulous care required in His presence during their journey towards the Promised Land.

Numbers 4 38 Word analysis

• These: (אֵלֶּה - elleh) Refers collectively to the sum total of individuals just described in Numbers 4:37, indicating the results of the specific counting for active service. It draws a clear demarcation of the group being concluded in the census.
• the ones counted: (הַפְּקֻדִים - hap'qudim) From the root פָּקַד (paqad), which means to visit, muster, appoint, or number. It implies not just a mere numerical tally, but a systematic enrollment for a specific purpose – in this context, active service in the Tabernacle. This act of "counting" signifies being overseen, identified, and commissioned for duty. It underscores God's meticulous care in knowing His people and their assigned roles.
• of the families: (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹת - l'mishpechot) From מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah), meaning clan, family, or tribal subdivision. This highlights the organizational structure within the Merarite tribe, demonstrating a detailed, lineage-based approach to the census rather than a general mass count. It acknowledges their distinct kinship units.
• of the sons of Merari: (לִבְנֵי מְרָרִי - liv'nei Merari) Merari was one of the three sons of Levi (along with Gershon and Kohath), giving rise to one of the main Levitical clans. Their designated duty (Num 3:36-37) was handling the heaviest components of the Tabernacle: the frames, bars, pillars, and bases. This precise naming underlines the highly specialized and specific roles assigned within God's divinely ordered service.
• whom Moses and Aaron counted: (אֲשֶׁר פָּקַד מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן - asher paqad Mosheh v'Aharon) Identifies the human agents divinely commissioned for this task. Moses, as the primary mediator and leader, and Aaron, as the High Priest, executed the census. Their involvement reinforces the authority and legitimacy of the count, ensuring it was performed according to God's will and by those He had appointed to lead His people. This partnership demonstrates shared leadership and accountability under God's ultimate authority.
• according to the commandment: (עַל פִּי - al pi) Literally "by the mouth of" or "at the command of." This crucial phrase signifies that the census was not an arbitrary human decision but a direct order from a superior authority. It establishes the divine imperative behind the actions, emphasizing obedience as the foundation of Israel's structure and service. It elevates the task beyond mere administration to sacred obedience.
• of the Lord: (יהוה - YHWH) The sacred, covenantal name of God. This specifies the ultimate source of the command, identifying it as emanating from the sovereign God who had entered into a covenant relationship with Israel. It imbues the census and the Merarites' service with divine holiness and purpose. The YHWH reinforces divine authority over human will.
• by the hand of Moses: (בְּיַד מֹשֶׁה - b'yad Mosheh) Reinforces Moses' role as the faithful servant and mediator through whom God communicated His commands to the people. It signifies divine agency operating through human means, asserting that the instructions for this detailed service came directly from God and were accurately conveyed by His chosen prophet. This emphasizes the divine origination and accurate transmission of the command.

Words-group analysis

• "whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses": This extended phrase is crucial as it emphatically establishes the divine authority and faithful execution behind the Merarite census. The repetition of "according to the commandment of the Lord" and "by the hand of Moses" throughout Numbers 4 (cf. vv. 37, 41, 45, 49) acts as a recurring refrain, ensuring that readers understand that every detail of the Tabernacle's operation, including the meticulous census, was directly mandated by God Himself and faithfully carried out by His appointed leaders. It highlights divine initiative, human obedience, and authorized mediation, stressing the sacred and unchangeable nature of these regulations. This underscores that the meticulous order of the wilderness sanctuary was not humanly contrived but divinely instituted.

Numbers 4 38 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of the phrase "according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses" in Numbers 4 is a literary and theological device known as a "reiteration formula" or "authorial bracket." It serves to powerfully impress upon the reader the absolute divine authority behind every detail of the Tabernacle service and the meticulous administration of the census. This consistency underlines accountability – both for those being counted and for Moses and Aaron, who were charged with executing God's specific instructions without deviation. It prefigures the New Testament concept of all true ministry stemming from Christ's headship and according to His will, not human invention.

Numbers 4 38 Commentary

Numbers 4:38 stands as a concise summation within a highly detailed section of the Pentateuch, affirming the completion of the Merarite census for Tabernacle service. Its significance lies in its threefold emphasis: precise divine organization, the specific role of the Levites, and the obedience of God's appointed leaders. God is not a God of randomness but of perfect order, as demonstrated by the exact numbering and assignment of duties for the sacred work. The Levites, particularly the Merarites, were not simply an auxiliary group, but divinely chosen for physically arduous yet holy work. The repeated assertion that the counting was "according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses" removes any doubt about the origin of these directives, firmly rooting them in God's sovereign will rather than human design. This commitment to precise instruction, relayed through faithful leadership, established a pattern for all service and worship, underscoring that reverence for God's holiness demands adherence to His ordained ways. This principle continues to resonate in the New Covenant, where believers are called to serve God's purposes (Rom 12:1-2) with diligence and order (1 Cor 14:33, 40), as they are part of a spiritual house (1 Pet 2:5) being built by divine design.