Numbers 3:15
Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.
Original Language Analysis
תִּפְקְדֵֽם׃
Number
H6485
תִּפְקְדֵֽם׃
Number
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
1 of 13
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִבֶּן
old
H1121
מִבֶּן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לְבֵ֥ית
after the house
H1004
לְבֵ֥ית
after the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲבֹתָ֖ם
of their fathers
H1
אֲבֹתָ֖ם
of their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 13
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם
by their families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם
by their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
7 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
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זָכָ֛ר
every male
H2145
זָכָ֛ר
every male
Strong's:
H2145
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
מִבֶּן
old
H1121
מִבֶּן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Numbers 26:62And 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.2 Timothy 3:15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Historical Context
Males were numbered from one month because infant mortality was high, and a month's survival indicated likely continued life. The Levitical census's broader age range than the military census reflected their different purposes—consecration versus military service.
Questions for Reflection
- How does numbering Levites from one month old support the principle of including covenant children in the covenant community?
- What does this teach us about the relationship between covenant identity (established early) and covenant service (developing with maturity)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The command to number Levitical males 'from a month old and upward' contrasts with the military census (20+ years), showing that consecration to God begins in infancy while active service awaits maturity. This supports the Reformed understanding of covenant children's inclusion in the covenant community from birth, though their active service awaits maturity. The principle: covenant identity precedes active covenant service.