Numbers Chapter 26 · Verse 57
And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites.
Original Language Analysis
פְקוּדֵ֣י
And these are they that were numbered
H6485
פְקוּדֵ֣י
And these are they that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
2 of 13
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
4 of 13
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
6 of 13
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
הַגֵּ֣רְשֻׁנִּ֔י
of the Gershonites
H1649
הַגֵּ֣רְשֻׁנִּ֔י
of the Gershonites
Strong's:
H1649
Word #:
7 of 13
a gereshonite or descendant of gereshon
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
9 of 13
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
הַקְּהָתִ֑י
of the Kohathites
H6956
הַקְּהָתִ֑י
of the Kohathites
Strong's:
H6956
Word #:
10 of 13
a kohathite (collectively) or descendants of kehath
Historical Context
This second Levitical census (the first was Numbers 3:14-39) confirmed the tribe chosen to replace Israel's firstborn sons after the golden calf incident (Exodus 32:26-29). Levites demonstrated loyalty when others apostatized, earning perpetual priestly service. This census counted the new generation of that faithful tribe.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the meanings of the Levitical divisions (stranger, assembly, bitterness) describe Christian ministry's costs and purposes?
- What does the Levites' landlessness but divine inheritance teach about possessing God Himself rather than earthly possessions?
- How did the Levites' choice to stand with God during the golden calf rebellion earn their descendants a perpetual inheritance?
Analysis & Commentary
These are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families—the Levites (לְוִיִּם) receive separate census treatment. While other tribes numbered fighting men 20+, Levites counted all males from one month old (v. 62). Gershon (גֵּרְשׁוֹן, "exile/stranger"), Kohath (קְהָת, "assembly"), and Merari (מְרָרִי, "bitter")—the three divisions—organized tabernacle service.
The names carry meaning: exiles who assemble in bitterness? Or strangers who gather despite bitterness? Levites owned no land ("exile"), gathered for worship ("assembly"), and tasted life's bitterness serving a stiff-necked people. Yet they were God's treasured possession, His inheritance. Landlessness became their greatest wealth: "The LORD is their inheritance" (Deuteronomy 10:9).