Numbers 3:43
And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִי֩
H1961
וַיְהִי֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זָכָ֜ר
males
H2145
זָכָ֜ר
males
Strong's:
H2145
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
בְּמִסְפַּ֥ר
by the number
H4557
בְּמִסְפַּ֥ר
by the number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
5 of 16
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
שֵׁמֹ֛ת
of names
H8034
שֵׁמֹ֛ת
of names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
6 of 16
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
מִבֶּן
old
H1121
מִבֶּן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וָמַ֖עְלָה
and upward
H4605
וָמַ֖עְלָה
and upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
9 of 16
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם
of those that were numbered
H6485
לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם
of those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
10 of 16
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֶ֔לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֔לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
13 of 16
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה
H7969
שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
14 of 16
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
Historical Context
This census method differed from the military census of fighting men aged 20 and above (Numbers 1:3). Levites were counted from infancy because their tribal identity determined their sacred calling. They would not inherit land like other tribes but were set apart entirely for service to the Lord.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's inclusive count of all ages challenge age-segregated church models?
- What does it mean that even infants belonged to God's consecrated tribe?
- How should we view children in covenant families according to Scripture?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'all the males...every male from a month old and upward' emphasizes completeness and thoroughness in God's census. No Levite was overlooked or considered insignificant. This reflects the biblical principle that God's call extends to all within the covenant community, not just the mature or capable. The inclusive counting foreshadows the Great Commission—making disciples of all nations, teaching everyone (Matthew 28:19-20). God's kingdom includes both young and old, weak and strong.