Numbers 4:44 kjv
Even those that were numbered of them after their families, were three thousand and two hundred.
Numbers 4:44 nkjv
those who were numbered by their families were three thousand two hundred.
Numbers 4:44 niv
counted by their clans, were 3,200.
Numbers 4:44 esv
those listed by clans were 3,200.
Numbers 4:44 nlt
and the total number came to 3,200.
Numbers 4 44 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 1:2-3 | "Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by their clans...from twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war..." | Initial command for first census |
| Num 3:20 | "The clans of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Merarites..." | Identifies Merarite families |
| Num 4:29-30 | "As for the sons of Merari, you shall list them by their clans...from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who can come on duty, for service in the tent of meeting..." | Specific command for Merarite census |
| Num 4:32 | "And their pillars and their bases, and their pegs and their cords...You shall list by name the objects that they are to keep in custody." | Merarite duties defined |
| Num 4:49 | "According to the commandment of the Lord through Moses, they were numbered..." | Concluding statement on entire Levitical census |
| Exo 25:9 | "According to all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it." | God's specific instructions for Tabernacle |
| Lev 8:1-5 | "The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take Aaron and his sons with him...just as the Lord commanded Moses.”" | Obedience to divine command by leadership |
| Deut 4:2 | "You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God..." | Adherence to God's precise commands |
| Deut 5:32 | "You shall be careful therefore to do as the Lord your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left." | Emphasis on strict adherence to commands |
| Josh 1:7 | "Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you." | Obedience as principle for God's servants |
| 1 Chr 23:3 | "The Levites, thirty years old and upward, were numbered, and the total was thirty-eight thousand men." | Later census for Temple service |
| 1 Chr 23:24 | "These were the descendants of Levi according to their fathers' houses...who performed the work of the service of the house of the Lord, from twenty years old and upward." | Defines Levite service age and duty |
| Ps 119:6 | "Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments." | Joy and uprightness through obedience |
| Prov 19:21 | "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." | God's sovereign will and plans |
| Mt 28:18-20 | "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..." | Commission based on divine authority |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God..." | Authority rooted in God's ordaining |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." | Principle of divine order in God's work |
| Heb 8:5 | "They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”" | Earthly worship follows heavenly pattern |
| Heb 13:17 | "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account." | Obedience to God-appointed leadership |
| 1 Pet 4:11 | "Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves, is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies..." | Serving according to God's enablement and word |
Numbers 4 verses
Numbers 4 44 Meaning
Numbers 4:44 concludes the specific enumeration of the Merarite clan's eligible men, detailing those numbered for service of the Tabernacle. It affirms that this census was conducted by Moses and Aaron in precise obedience to the explicit command of the Lord, underscoring divine authorization, meticulous order, and the human instruments chosen for its execution in service of God's sanctuary.
Numbers 4 44 Context
Numbers Chapter 4 specifies the duties and census details for the three main Levitical clans: the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites. This chapter follows a general census of all Israelites and then the Levites. Numbers 4 focuses on those male Levites aged between 30 and 50 years, the prime years for active service, who were responsible for dismantling, transporting, and reassembling the Tabernacle components during Israel's wilderness journeys. Verses 29-33 specifically outlined the Merarites' charge of the Tabernacle framework (pillars, bases, frames) and its heavy components. Verse 44 functions as a concluding summary for the Merarite census results, much like previous verses summarized the Kohathites (v. 36) and Gershonites (v. 40), reinforcing the total count and divine authorization for their role in the meticulous order of Tabernacle service. This census and organization highlight God's precision and care in ordering His people for His worship.
Numbers 4 44 Word analysis
These: (Hebrew: אֵלֶּה, 'elleh). A demonstrative pronoun, directly referencing the total number of Merarites (6,200) mentioned in the preceding verse (Num 4:43) who were eligible for Tabernacle service. It connects the sum directly to the individuals counted.
were numbered: (Hebrew: פְּקֻדֵי, pəquḏê). From the root פקד (paqad), which means more than just "to count." It signifies "to muster," "to appoint," "to take charge of," "to visit," or "to inspect." Here, it carries the nuance of being registered for specific duty or service, not just a numerical tally. It implies divine selection and appointment for their sacred tasks.
of the families: (Hebrew: לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָם, lәmišpāḥôtām). Refers to the patrilineal clans within the tribe of Levi, specifically Merari's descendants. This detail emphasizes the genealogical basis of Israelite society and the meticulous organization of God's people by their ancestral groups for roles and responsibilities.
of Merari: (Hebrew: מְרָרִי, mərārî). Merari was one of the three sons of Levi (along with Gershon and Kohath) from whom the Levitical clans descended (Gen 46:11, Exo 6:16). His descendants were responsible for transporting the heavier components of the Tabernacle, symbolizing their specific, burdensome yet vital, contribution to God's dwelling place.
whom Moses: (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר פָּקַד מֹשֶׁה, 'ăšer pāqaḏ Mōšeh). Moses, the chosen leader and prophet of Israel, acted as God's primary agent. His involvement authenticates the census as divinely ordained and executed with authority.
and Aaron: (Hebrew: וְאַהֲרֹן, wә'Ahărōn). Aaron, the High Priest, co-leader with Moses and head of the Aaronic priesthood. His inclusion underscores the sacred, priestly dimension of the census, highlighting its religious significance and authorization by both civil and religious authority divinely appointed.
numbered: (Hebrew: פָּקַד, pāqaḏ). Repetition of the root "paqad" reinforces that the act of counting was deliberate and officially executed by Moses and Aaron as the designated agents.
according to the commandment: (Hebrew: עַל פִּי, 'al pî). Literally "according to the mouth of," or "by the command of." This phrase strongly emphasizes the direct, explicit, and verbal instruction received from God. It highlights divine revelation as the ultimate source of authority for all these arrangements.
of the Lord: (Hebrew: יְהוָה, YHVH, the Tetragrammaton). Refers to the covenant God of Israel, Yahweh, the Self-Existent One. This attribution points to the divine origin and supreme authority behind the entire census and the organized service of the Tabernacle. It removes any suggestion of human initiative or fallibility as the basis for these actions.
"These were the men who were numbered": Highlights that the purpose of this counting was to identify adult males eligible for service. The focus is on capability and availability for duty within a specific age range (30-50, as seen in surrounding verses).
"of the families of Merari": Emphasizes the genealogical and familial structure that organized God's people. Each family had specific roles, contributing to the larger whole.
"whom Moses and Aaron numbered": Establishes the human leadership responsible for executing God's commands. Their roles are affirmed as agents of divine will, not originating the plan themselves. It showcases leadership under divine mandate.
"according to the commandment of the Lord": This phrase is paramount, underscoring the absolute divine authority and detailed instruction behind every aspect of the Tabernacle service and the organization of its attendants. It affirms God's meticulous oversight and ordering.
Numbers 4 44 Bonus section
The repetitive nature of the phrase "according to the commandment of the Lord" throughout Numbers 4 (e.g., v. 37, 41, 45, 49) acts as a theological refrain, hammering home the message that all arrangements for Israel's journey and worship, particularly concerning the Tabernacle and its dedicated servants, were divinely orchestrated and sanctioned. This served to imbue the Tabernacle service with unparalleled authority and sanctity, differentiating it from human innovations or foreign cultic practices. It implicitly corrects any notion that Israel's strength or organization derived from human wisdom or might, but rather from God's perfect plan and empowering presence.
Numbers 4 44 Commentary
Numbers 4:44 is a succinct summary verse for the census of the Merarites, completing the report for all three Levitical clans ready for service. Its significance lies in its threefold emphasis: identification of the men, the agents of the count, and the ultimate divine authority. The counting (paqad) of men for specific duties underlines God's intentionality in preparing His people for sacred service, not just as an army but as ministers of His presence. Moses and Aaron acted not on their own accord, but as faithful stewards carrying out the Lord's detailed blueprint for Tabernacle worship and maintenance. This principle of doing "according to the commandment of the Lord" runs throughout the Pentateuch, affirming that all legitimate activity within the covenant community is rooted in and governed by divine instruction. It highlights the order, purpose, and holiness God demands in His service, where even seemingly mundane tasks like a census are directly tied to His holy will. The meticulous counting signifies accountability and readiness for the weighty responsibilities assigned.