Numbers 26:62
And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ
H1961
וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הָתְפָּֽקְד֗וּ
And those that were numbered
H6485
הָתְפָּֽקְד֗וּ
And those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
2 of 24
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
שְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה
and three
H7969
שְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה
and three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
3 of 24
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
אֶ֔לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֔לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
5 of 24
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זָכָ֖ר
all males
H2145
זָכָ֖ר
all males
Strong's:
H2145
Word #:
7 of 24
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
בְּנֵ֥י
old
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וָמָ֑עְלָה
and upward
H4605
וָמָ֑עְלָה
and upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
10 of 24
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָתְפָּֽקְד֗וּ
And those that were numbered
H6485
הָתְפָּֽקְד֗וּ
And those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
13 of 24
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
בְּנֵ֥י
old
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
16 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּ֠י
H3588
כִּ֠י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִתַּ֤ן
given
H5414
נִתַּ֤ן
given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
19 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
נַֽחֲלָ֔ה
because there was no inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלָ֔ה
because there was no inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
21 of 24
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
Cross References
Deuteronomy 10:9Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.Numbers 1:49Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:Numbers 3:39All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand.Joshua 13:14Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them.Joshua 13:33But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.Joshua 14:3For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.
Historical Context
The Levitical tithe system (Numbers 18:21-24) supported these 23,000. Israel's other tribes gave 10% of produce to sustain those who served the tabernacle full-time. This census justified the tithe: 23,000 Levites served 600,000+ Israelites—roughly 1 minister per 26 families. Modern church staff ratios are similar.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did God count Levites from infancy rather than military age? What does this reveal about viewing people as servants rather than warriors?
- How does the Levites' landlessness but divine inheritance challenge modern Christianity's pursuit of material security?
- What would it mean for your spiritual identity if 'the LORD is my inheritance' were literally true, with no backup plan?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward—unlike other tribes (numbering warriors 20+), Levites counted infants. Why? Because Levites replaced Israel's firstborn (Numbers 3:11-13), and firstborn status begins at one month. The count of 23,000 compares to 22,000 in the first census (Numbers 3:39), a modest increase reflecting high infant mortality and wilderness judgments.
For they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them—Levites' exclusion from land inheritance meant exclusion from military census. They received 48 cities and tithes instead. Their "portion" was YHWH Himself (Numbers 18:20). Material landlessness purchased spiritual riches—they owned God. Better homeless with God than landed without Him.