Numbers 4 43

Numbers 4:43 kjv

From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,

Numbers 4:43 nkjv

from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who entered the service for work in the tabernacle of meeting?

Numbers 4:43 niv

All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting,

Numbers 4:43 esv

from thirty years old up to fifty years old, everyone who could come on duty, for service in the tent of meeting ?

Numbers 4:43 nlt

The list included all the men between thirty and fifty years of age who were eligible for service in the Tabernacle,

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 43 Meaning

Numbers 4:43 declares the specific enumeration of the Kohathite families whose members were deemed eligible for service in the Tabernacle of Meeting. It concludes a segment detailing their unique and highly sacred duties related to the transport of the holy furniture and vessels. This verse emphasizes the precise nature of God's instructions regarding His dwelling place and the meticulous organization of those dedicated to His service among the Levites.

Numbers 4 43 Context

Numbers Chapter 4 describes the detailed census and assigned duties for the three Levitical families: Kohath, Gershon, and Merari, focusing on those between the ages of 30 and 50 years. This precise count was not merely for demographic purposes but to identify individuals specifically qualified and dedicated to serving the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness journeys. Numbers 4:43 serves as the summary statement for the census of the Kohathite families. Prior verses (Num 4:1-15) meticulously outlined their grave responsibility: carrying the most sacred components of the Tabernacle—the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, and the Altars—once these were covered by Aaron and his sons. This highlighted the sanctity of the items and the mediated access to God's presence, underscoring order, purity, and accountability within the Israelite camp, especially concerning divine worship.

Numbers 4 43 Word analysis

• These: (Hebrew: ’ēlleh) - A demonstrative pronoun, referring collectively to the previously counted and tabulated numbers of individuals from the Kohathite families, emphasizing the summation of what was just presented.
• were those that were numbered: (Hebrew: happeqūđîm - derived from paqad) - Paqad means "to count, number, visit, appoint, command, muster." Here, it signifies not just a simple head-count but an enrollment or muster for specific duties and service, implying a divine appointment and organization. It marks the individuals as formally identified and designated for their roles.
• of the families: (Hebrew: lemishpechōṯ) - Emphasizes the organizational structure by lineage within the tribe of Levi. It signifies that the counting adhered to established family lines, underscoring the genealogical basis for sacred service in Israel.
• of the Kohathites: (Hebrew: haqqəhāṯî) - Referring to the descendants of Kohath, one of the three sons of Levi. The Kohathites had the singular, highly sacred, and perilous responsibility of transporting the most holy articles of the Tabernacle, requiring extreme reverence and care. Their role distinguished them significantly within the Levitical hierarchy.
• all that might do service: (Hebrew: kol-obēdăbōdâh) - `obēd from `abad means "to serve, labor, work," and `ăbōdâh means "service, work, labor." This phrase specifies that the numbered individuals were those fit, capable, and designated to perform the required religious labor. It also implies meeting specific qualifications, such as the age range of thirty to fifty years (Num 4:3), and possessing the necessary ritual purity and knowledge for the solemn duties.
• in the tabernacle of the congregation: (Hebrew: bĕ'ōhel mô`ēḏ) - The Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, was God's portable sanctuary and dwelling place among Israel. It was the central point of Israel's worship and national life, where God met with His people. This phrase clarifies the sacred context and the object of their service.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "These were those that were numbered... of the Kohathites": This phrase succinctly states the outcome of the meticulous census specifically concerning the Kohathite lineage. It highlights divine precision in counting and identifying individuals for service, reflecting God's orderliness.
• "all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation": This segment clarifies the ultimate purpose of their numbering—not just identification, but designation for sacred duties. It defines the specific nature and location of their appointed task: active participation in the holy worship life centered around God's dwelling place among His people. It emphasizes that capability and calling went hand-in-hand with divine ordination.

Numbers 4 43 Bonus section

The act of numbering (Hebrew: paqad) is frequently linked in Scripture with a divine appointment for specific tasks or a visitation, often for judgment or blessing. In this context, the numbering of the Kohathites implies their special visitation and selection by God for a critical sacred responsibility, distinct from any general census. Their duty involved carrying the holy articles, which were uniquely handled (not placed on carts like the other Levitical families, Num 7:9). This indicates a heightened degree of holiness and care required, pointing to the awe and reverence due to God's presence and His sacred instruments. This precise attention to detail also stands as a powerful testament against any chaotic or irreverent approach to God's worship, demonstrating that God Himself mandates order and purity in divine service.

Numbers 4 43 Commentary

Numbers 4:43 acts as a final declaration for the Kohathite census, reiterating that the enumeration was directly tied to their readiness and eligibility for sacred service within the Tabernacle. This verse underscores God's meticulous ordering of worship and ministry. It highlights the divine emphasis on structure, designated roles, and consecrated lives for those approaching the holy. The Levites, particularly the Kohathites, were called to a burdensome yet deeply honorable task, necessitating specific physical fitness, appropriate age, and ritual purity. This meticulous assignment and accountability prefigures the New Covenant principle that every believer, as a member of Christ's body, is gifted and called to specific spiritual service (Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:4-11), all for the building up of the spiritual Temple, the Church. Practical application: Recognizing our gifts and serving in humility within the boundaries of our calling, respecting the sacredness of our work for God.