Numbers 4 40

Numbers 4:40 kjv

Even those that were numbered of them, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty.

Numbers 4:40 nkjv

those who were numbered by their families, by their fathers' house, were two thousand six hundred and thirty.

Numbers 4:40 niv

counted by their clans and families, were 2,630.

Numbers 4:40 esv

those listed by their clans and their fathers' houses were 2,630.

Numbers 4:40 nlt

and the total number came to 2,630.

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 40 Meaning

Numbers 4:40 recounts the successful completion of the census for the Merarite clan of the Levites. It states that all males from Merari's descendants, aged twenty years and older, who were capable of fulfilling their assigned duties in the Tabernacle's service, were accurately enumerated according to their family and paternal house. This specific tally prepared them for their vital role in transporting the heavy structural components of the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness journey.

Numbers 4 40 Context

Numbers chapter 4 details the specific duties of the three Levite clans—Kohath, Gershon, and Merari—regarding the care, dismantling, and transport of the Tabernacle during Israel’s wilderness wanderings. While the general Israelite census in Numbers 1 enumerated men capable of military service, the Levites were separated and counted for their unique sacred service to God (Num 1:49). Numbers 4:40 specifically refers to the completion of the Merarites' census. They were responsible for carrying the heaviest components of the Tabernacle—the frames, bars, pillars, and bases (Num 3:36; 4:31-32). Their duties required significant strength and organization, aligning with the phrase "all who could go out to war" not in a combat sense, but in the context of demanding, disciplined service akin to a military campaign for the LORD's sanctuary. This detailed enumeration underscores God's meticulous order, planning, and the distinct, yet equally vital, roles for every segment of His people.

Numbers 4 40 Word analysis

• All those that were numbered: The Hebrew p’qudei (פְּקֻדֵי) means "the numbered ones" or "the appointed ones." This highlights that the counting was not merely an inventory but an act of divine appointment for a specific purpose or service. The word implies divine oversight and establishment of order.
• of the families of the sons of Merari: Merari (מְרָרִי) means "bitterness" but refers to Levi's third son (Gen 46:11). This specifies the particular clan. Their assigned task of carrying the Tabernacle's heavy, unwieldy structure might metaphorically align with "bitterness" due to its arduous nature, emphasizing the rigor required for their duty.
• according to their families, by their fathers’ houses: This phrasing (Hebrew: le-mishp’khoteihem le-veit avoteihem) underscores the meticulous, hierarchical, and genealogical basis of the Israelite census. It ensured a systematic, organized count that honored traditional lineage and facilitated specific assignment of duties within a family structure.
• from twenty years old and above: This was the established age (Hebrew: mibben esrim shanah va-malah) in Israel for eligibility for full public service, military duty, and adult responsibilities. For the Levites, it signified a mature male capable of handling demanding work. While active transport duty for Levites later adjusted to 25 or 30 (Num 8:24, but 1 Chr 23:24 returns to 20 for non-transport service), this initial enumeration from 20 reflected readiness and eligibility for duty in the spiritual "army."
• all who could go out to war: The phrase "go out to war" (Hebrew: kol ha-yotzei la-tzava’) usually refers to military service. However, for the Levites, who were exempt from the physical army, "war" (Hebrew: tzava’) takes on a spiritual or functional meaning: going out to perform the strenuous, disciplined, and essential "service" for the Tabernacle. This sacred duty was just as rigorous and vital for the nation's well-being and spiritual purity as military engagement was for its physical protection.
• were numbered: This repetition emphasizes the completion and validation of the count. It reinforces the thoroughness and divine authority behind the census for the Merarites, marking their official enrollment for duty.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "All those that were numbered... were numbered": The repetition frames the count as a definitive and accomplished task. It speaks to divine precision and the comprehensive nature of the enrollment. This emphasizes God’s orderliness in organizing His people for service.
• "of the families of the sons of Merari... according to their families, by their fathers’ houses": This entire phrase highlights the highly structured, lineage-based organization of ancient Israel. It reinforces the importance of tribal and familial identity, not merely for identification but for assigning specific roles and responsibilities that often passed down through generations.
• "from twenty years old and above, all who could go out to war": This is the qualifying criteria. It describes the group as mature, capable, and fit for significant responsibilities. For the Levites, "going out to war" speaks to their preparedness for the rigorous, physically demanding, and spiritually significant work of dismantling and transporting the holy dwelling, requiring discipline, strength, and unwavering commitment.

Numbers 4 40 Bonus section

The distinct roles of the Levite clans (Kohath, Gershon, Merari) offer a powerful typology for the church today. The Kohathites dealt with the most holy items (the ark, table, lampstand), symbolizing a focus on the deepest spiritual truths and the person of Christ. The Gershonites carried the curtains and coverings, representing the outward adornment, presentation, and evangelistic witness. The Merarites, with their burden of boards, pillars, and bases, signify those who labor in the often-unseen, physically demanding, or foundational aspects of ministry, such as administration, facility management, and practical support. Each role, regardless of its visible glory, was crucial for the overall function and transport of God's dwelling place, demonstrating the equal value and indispensable nature of every calling within the body of Christ. This verse reminds us that true "warfare" in God's Kingdom is often diligent, methodical, and self-sacrificial service, prepared and sustained by divine ordinance.

Numbers 4 40 Commentary

Numbers 4:40 concisely brings to a close the census for the Merarite clan, confirming their readiness for specialized service to God. The inclusion of the "twenty years old and above" threshold signifies the expectation of maturity and capability for sacred work, just as it did for military service in the wider Israelite community. The metaphor "all who could go out to war" beautifully reinterprets military strength into the demanding discipline and dedication required for transporting the heavy Tabernacle components. This highlights that their spiritual "warfare" was the methodical, rigorous execution of their duties, ensuring God's presence remained central to the Israelite camp. It underscores a key biblical principle: God equips and calls His people, irrespective of their varied talents, to distinct but interconnected roles in His Kingdom, all requiring discipline, faithfulness, and a heart devoted to His will. Their specific duties ensured the practical portability and continuity of worship for the nation, a silent yet powerful witness to God's presence among them.