Numbers 3:39

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#2
פָּקַ֨ד
All that were numbered
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#3
הַלְוִיִּ֜ם
of the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#4
אֲשֶׁר֩
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
פָּקַ֨ד
All that were numbered
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#6
מֹשֶׁ֧ה
which Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#7
וְׄאַֽׄהֲׄרֹ֛ׄןׄ
and Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#8
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
פִּ֥י
at the commandment
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#10
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם
throughout their families
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
#12
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
זָכָר֙
all the males
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
#14
מִבֶּן
old
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#15
חֹ֣דֶשׁ
from a month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#16
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#17
שְׁנַ֥יִם
and two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#18
וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים
were twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#19
אָֽלֶף׃
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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