1 Chronicles 23:3

Authorized King James Version

Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּסָּֽפְרוּ֙
H5608
were numbered
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
#2
הַלְוִיִּ֔ם
H3881
Now the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#3
מִבֶּ֛ן
H1121
from the age
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
H7970
of thirty
thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
#5
שָׁנָ֖ה
H8141
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#6
וָמָ֑עְלָה
H4605
and upward
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#7
וַיְהִ֨י
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#8
מִסְפָּרָ֤ם
H4557
and their number
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
#9
לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָם֙
H1538
by their polls
a skull (as round); by implication, a head (in enumeration of persons)
#10
לִגְבָרִ֔ים
H1397
man by man
properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply
#11
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
H7970
of thirty
thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
#12
וּשְׁמוֹנָ֖ה
H8083
and eight
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
#13
אָֽלֶף׃
H505
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection