Numbers 4 42

Numbers 4:42 kjv

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

Numbers 4:42 nkjv

Those of the families of the sons of Merari who were numbered, by their families, by their fathers' house,

Numbers 4:42 niv

The Merarites were counted by their clans and families.

Numbers 4:42 esv

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

Numbers 4:42 nlt

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

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 42 Meaning

This verse marks the completion of the enumeration of the Merarite clan of Levites, aged thirty to fifty, who were eligible for service in the Tabernacle. It specifically emphasizes that this counting, performed by Moses and Aaron, was not by human initiative but precisely according to the direct command and instruction received from the LORD through Moses. It highlights the divine origin and authoritative nature of the census and the detailed organization of service within ancient Israel.

Numbers 4 42 Context

Numbers chapter 4 meticulously details the specific duties of the three major Levite clans—Kohath, Gershon, and Merari—within the Tabernacle service, for those aged 30 to 50 years. This chapter, following a general census in Chapter 1 and the initial Levite census in Chapter 3, establishes the operational structure for the mobile sanctuary. Verse 42 specifically concludes the record for the Merarites, whose assigned task involved transporting the heaviest and most structural elements of the Tabernacle, such as the frames, bars, pillars, and bases. Historically, this precise organizational framework was crucial for the nomadic Israelites, ensuring the sacredness and mobility of the dwelling place of God. It reflects a core Old Testament principle: divine work must be performed with exactitude, reverence, and according to divine decree, reflecting God's orderliness and holiness.

Numbers 4 42 Word analysis

• And those who were listed/numbered: In Hebrew, "פְּקֻדֵ֨י" (pekudei), from the root "פקד" (paqad). This term signifies more than just a count; it implies a careful, divine oversight or appointment, emphasizing the intentionality and divine authorization behind the census. It means to be visited, mustered, or officially registered for a purpose, in this case, sacred service.
• of the families: In Hebrew, "מִשְׁפְּחֹ֤ת" (mishpachot), referring to extended family units or clans. This highlights the genealogical and tribal structure within Israel and among the Levites, crucial for identifying roles and maintaining order.
• of the sons of Merari: "בְּנֵי מְרָרִֽי" (beney Merari). Merari was one of the three sons of Levi. Their specific responsibility, described earlier in the chapter, was the heavy and foundational elements of the Tabernacle. Their name may imply "bitterness" or "strength," perhaps resonating with their challenging task.
• whom Moses and Aaron listed: This designates the human agents explicitly commanded by God to carry out this divine census. Moses acted as the primary recipient and communicator of God's law, and Aaron, as High Priest, co-executed commands pertaining to the Tabernacle and its sacred personnel.
• according to the word: In Hebrew, "עַל־פִּי" (al-pi), literally "at the mouth of" or "according to the mouth of." This idiomatic phrase powerfully conveys absolute and precise adherence to a verbal instruction or command, emphasizing faithful execution without deviation.
• of the LORD: In Hebrew, "יהוה" (Yahweh), the covenantal, personal name of God, emphasizing His authority as the initiator of these detailed instructions and the Sovereign over His people and sacred worship.
• by the hand of Moses: In Hebrew, "בְּיַד־מֹשֶֽׁה" (b'yad-Mosheh), signifying that Moses was the divinely appointed instrument or intermediary through whom the command was communicated from God to the people and implemented. This phrase affirms Moses' unique role in divine revelation.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And those who were listed of the families of the sons of Merari": This opening segment directly specifies the object of the census – a particular sub-group within the Levites. It confirms the meticulous organizational detail involved in the tabernacle service, focusing on tribal identity and assigned roles within the larger Israelite community. The act of "listing" itself, particularly for service, was seen as a divine act of selection and preparation.
• "whom Moses and Aaron listed": This phrase highlights the immediate human agency responsible for the execution of the census. Moses, as God's chief prophet and leader, and Aaron, as the High Priest, jointly carried out the divine mandate. Their joint action signifies both spiritual authority and practical oversight in God's service. It removes any notion of a self-appointed task.
• "according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses": This concluding and crucial phrase establishes the ultimate authority and source of the census and the detailed work of the Levites. It firmly anchors all actions in divine commandment, negating human innovation or discretion in the organization of sacred duties. "The word of the LORD" underscores the verbal and specific nature of God's revelation, while "by the hand of Moses" confirms Moses' indispensable role as the authorized channel through whom this divine will was conveyed and executed, emphasizing the mediatorial function and authenticity of the law given at Sinai. This tripartite phrase – Divine source, Divine method, and human instrumentality – encapsulates the theology of revelation and obedience central to the Old Covenant.

Numbers 4 42 Bonus section

• Symbolism of the Merarite Burden: Unlike the Kohathites (who carried the holy objects, but covered) and Gershonites (curtains, coverings), the Merarites were responsible for the raw structural weight – the planks, bars, pillars, bases, and pegs. This foreshadows that foundation work and heavy, seemingly less "glorious" but essential tasks in God's service are just as divinely commanded and vital as the most sacred and visible ones. All parts of the divine instruction carry equal weight in God's eyes.
• The Principle of Delegation and Authority: The recurring phrase "by the hand of Moses" throughout Numbers reinforces God's chosen method of revealing and executing His will through human instruments. This concept is foundational to biblical revelation and leadership, showing a God who works through covenant partners and appointed leaders while maintaining ultimate sovereignty.
• A Polemic Against Idolatry/Self-Worship: The relentless emphasis on "according to the word of the LORD" implicitly opposes any notion of human autonomy in worship or spiritual service. It stands against the "what seems right in their own eyes" mentality (Judg 17:6) that would later plague Israel, underscoring that God's people are not to devise their own worship but to obey the one true God's revealed instruction.
• Preparation for a Life of Obedience: The wilderness period, with its strict regulations concerning the Tabernacle and its service, was formative for Israel. It instilled discipline and demonstrated that God's blessing was contingent on faithful obedience, a lesson essential for their future life in the Promised Land and for believers throughout all ages.

Numbers 4 42 Commentary

Numbers 4:42 concludes the record of the Merarite census, reinforcing a fundamental truth evident throughout the construction and operation of the Tabernacle: God's work is characterized by order, precision, and strict adherence to divine command. The painstaking detail in cataloging each clan, their eligible members, and their specific responsibilities—down to the "Merari" who handled the heaviest burdens of the Tabernacle structure—underscores God's meticulous care for His sacred dwelling place and its service. Moses and Aaron are presented not as initiators, but as obedient executors of God's explicit "word," given "by the hand of Moses." This highlights their crucial role as divinely appointed agents while simultaneously subordinating their actions completely to the ultimate authority of Yahweh. This principle serves as a timeless reminder that true service to God stems from humble obedience to His revealed will, not from human ingenuity or preference. The systematic organization reflects a holy God who desires worship performed with reverence and according to His established ways, preventing both chaos and human invention from corrupting sacred devotion.