Numbers 3:39
All 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.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פָּקַ֨ד
All that were numbered
H6485
פָּקַ֨ד
All that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
2 of 19
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פָּקַ֨ד
All that were numbered
H6485
פָּקַ֨ד
All that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
5 of 19
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פִּ֥י
at the commandment
H6310
פִּ֥י
at the commandment
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
9 of 19
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם
throughout their families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם
throughout their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
11 of 19
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 #:
12 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זָכָר֙
all the males
H2145
זָכָר֙
all the males
Strong's:
H2145
Word #:
13 of 19
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 #:
14 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
H4605
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
16 of 19
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
Historical Context
The census counted males one month old and above, unlike Israel's military census which counted those twenty years and above. This included infants and children, showing that consecration to God began from birth for the Levitical families. The slight numerical discrepancy between Levites and firstborn (verse 43 shows 22,273 firstborn) required redemption payment for the excess 273 (verses 46-47).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Levitical substitution for Israel's firstborn illustrate Christ's substitutionary work for believers?
- What does God's provision of exactly the right number of ministers teach about His sovereignty in calling workers for His kingdom?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The total of 22,000 Levites (though the individual family totals sum to 22,300, likely due to rounding or textual issues) demonstrates God's provision of adequate ministers for tabernacle service. This number was significant as it closely matched the 22,000 firstborn males of Israel (verse 43), showing God's gracious substitution. The Levites served as representatives replacing all Israel's firstborn, illustrating the principle of substitutionary representation fulfilled ultimately in Christ, who represents all believers before God.