Numbers 3:28
In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.
Original Language Analysis
בְּמִסְפַּר֙
In the number
H4557
בְּמִסְפַּר֙
In the number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
1 of 13
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זָכָ֔ר
of all the males
H2145
זָכָ֔ר
of all the males
Strong's:
H2145
Word #:
3 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 #:
4 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
וָמָ֑עְלָה
and upward
H4605
וָמָ֑עְלָה
and upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
6 of 13
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
שְׁמֹנַ֤ת
were eight
H8083
שְׁמֹנַ֤ת
were eight
Strong's:
H8083
Word #:
7 of 13
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
אֲלָפִים֙
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִים֙
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
8 of 13
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְשֵׁ֣שׁ
and six
H8337
וְשֵׁ֣שׁ
and six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
9 of 13
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
שֹֽׁמְרֵ֖י
keeping
H8104
שֹֽׁמְרֵ֖י
keeping
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
Historical Context
Males were counted from one month old because infant mortality was high in ancient times, and this age marked survival likelihood. The Kohathites would later produce prominent figures including Samuel the prophet, Heman the singer, and the sons of Korah who wrote Psalms 42-49, 84-85, 87-88.
Questions for Reflection
- How does being set apart for God from birth shape our understanding of Christian identity?
- What responsibilities come with being entrusted with sacred things?
- How does God's sovereignty in calling precede our ability to respond?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The enumeration of 8,600 Kohathite males from one month old demonstrates that consecration to God's service begins from infancy, not from personal choice or maturity. This pictures covenant theology—God sets apart His elect before they can choose Him, as He knew Jeremiah before formation in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5). The substantial size of this clan shows God's provision of sufficient workers for sacred duties. The charge of the sanctuary emphasizes that the Kohathites bore responsibility for the most holy objects.