Numbers 4 41

Numbers 4:41 kjv

These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD.

Numbers 4:41 nkjv

These are the ones who were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all who might serve in the tabernacle of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the LORD.

Numbers 4:41 niv

This was the total of those in the Gershonite clans who served at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the LORD's command.

Numbers 4:41 esv

This was the list of the clans of the sons of Gershon, all who served in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron listed according to the commandment of the LORD.

Numbers 4:41 nlt

So this was the total of all those from the Gershonite clans who were eligible to serve at the Tabernacle. Moses and Aaron listed them, just as the LORD had commanded.

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 41 Meaning

This verse serves as a concluding statement to the meticulously detailed census of the Merarite clan of the Levites, who were specifically designated by God for the transportation of the heavier components of the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness journeys. It confirms that the counting and allocation of duties for this specific Levitical family were not a human initiative but an act carried out precisely by Moses and Aaron in strict adherence to the divine commandment of the Lord.

Numbers 4 41 Context

Numbers chapter 4 is a continuation of God's meticulous instructions regarding the organization and service of the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness journey. Following the general census in chapter 1 and the initial Levite census in chapter 3, chapter 4 specifies the duties of each of the three major Levitical clans: the Kohathites, the Gershonites, and the Merarites, focusing on their responsibilities for transporting the various components of the Tabernacle. This verse concludes the specific section on the Merarites, whose assigned task was the heaviest: carrying the Tabernacle frames, pillars, bases, and pegs. The chapter's broader historical context is that of the wilderness encampment, emphasizing God's establishment of strict order, hygiene, and ritual purity for a people dwelling in His immediate presence. The meticulous details underscore the sacredness of God's dwelling and the precision required in handling all things related to His worship. This emphasis on divine order contrasted sharply with the chaotic, often impulsive, and unpredictable worship practices of contemporary pagan cultures.

Numbers 4 41 Word analysis

• "These": Hebrew: ’Ēlleh (אֵלֶּה). This demonstrative pronoun serves as a summing up word, referring back directly to the detailed enumeration of the Merarite families and the count of their qualified men (Numbers 4:34-40). It signifies the completion of a specific task or segment of a list.
• "are those that were numbered": Hebrew: hārāmūm (הַפְּקֻדִים), meaning "the counted ones" or "those who were mustered." The root pāqaḏ signifies to visit, number, review, appoint, or take a census. This implies not just a casual counting but an official registration, often for specific service or duty. It conveys intentionality and precise record-keeping.
• "of the families": Hebrew: mišpāḥōth (מִשְׁפְּחֹת). This highlights the clan divisions within the tribe of Merari, underscoring the ordered and genealogical structure God ordained for His people and the specific distribution of responsibilities based on family lineage.
• "of the sons of Merari": Hebrew: bnê Mərārî (בְּנֵי מְרָרִי). Merari was the youngest of Levi's three sons (the others being Kohath and Gershon). His descendants had the arduous task of transporting the substantial structural elements of the Tabernacle, symbolizing their unique contribution to God's dwelling.
• "whom Moses and Aaron numbered": Hebrew: ’ašer pāqaḏū (אֲשֶׁר פָּקְדוּ), referring to the human agents appointed to conduct the census. Moses, as the leader and law-giver, and Aaron, as the High Priest, were divinely authorized to oversee this process. Their names signify legitimate leadership and direct divine commission, contrasting with any self-appointed authority.
• "according to the commandment of the LORD": Hebrew: ‘al pî Adonai (עַל פִּי יְהוָה), literally "by the mouth of Yahweh" or "according to the utterance/word of the Lord." This crucial phrase elevates the entire numbering process from a mere human administrative act to a divine directive. It underscores the ultimate authority and source of all instructions concerning the Tabernacle and the organization of Israel's worship. It reinforces that all action was done in perfect submission to God's revealed will.

• "These are those... sons of Merari": This phrase encapsulates the demographic and identity of the group, providing a clear summary and closing statement to the specific census for Merari. It reflects the ordered and accountable nature of God's administration of His people.
• "Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the LORD": This is a core statement of obedience and divine authority. It verifies the legitimacy and accuracy of the census and the allocation of duties. It implies that every step taken was not of human ingenuity but rooted in God's specific revelation, emphasizing the foundational principle of obedience in Old Testament worship and service. The dual naming of Moses and Aaron highlights the leadership in both administrative and priestly aspects, operating under one supreme divine command. This setup provides an orderly model of how God's will is executed on earth through appointed leadership.

Numbers 4 41 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of the phrase "according to the commandment of the LORD" (or similar variations) throughout the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers serves as a literary and theological cornerstone. It emphasizes the direct divine origin and ultimate authority for the laws, ordinances, and structures being laid out for Israel. This repetition, though seemingly mundane, continually points to Yahweh as the sovereign architect of Israel's national and religious life. For the original audience, it provided unwavering assurance that their practices were divinely sanctioned, not merely human traditions or arbitrary rules. This consistent appeal to divine command served as a polemic against the often human-derived religious practices of surrounding nations, firmly rooting Israel's identity and worship in the revealed will of the one true God. The meticulous detail in these chapters, concluding with phrases like Numbers 4:41, indicates that God delights in order and intentionality, even in seemingly logistical matters, because they directly pertain to His glory and the reverence of His presence among His people.

Numbers 4 41 Commentary

Numbers 4:41 provides a definitive concluding affirmation of the Merarite census. Far from being a mere logistical detail, this verse profoundly underscores two critical aspects: the divine precision in all matters pertaining to the Lord's service, and the obedient execution of God's will by His appointed leaders. The numbering of the Merarites, with their specific and strenuous task of transporting the Tabernacle's heavy structural components, highlights God's particularity in assigning responsibilities. Every part of the sacred structure, and every person involved in its care, was known, counted, and designated by God. Moses and Aaron's role was to faithfully implement what the Lord commanded, serving as intermediaries who executed the divine plan, not devising their own. This reflects a fundamental truth in service to God: effective ministry flows from faithful obedience to His clear instructions, rather than from human ingenuity or ambition. It showcases that the Lord is a God of order and specific calling for each segment of His people.