Numbers 31:47
Even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵֽי
Even of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
Even of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel's
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel's
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאָחֻז֙
portion
H270
הָֽאָחֻז֙
portion
Strong's:
H270
Word #:
7 of 26
to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
9 of 26
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָֽאָדָ֖ם
both of man
H120
הָֽאָדָ֖ם
both of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
12 of 26
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
וּמִן
H4480
וּמִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
13 of 26
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַבְּהֵמָ֑ה
and of beast
H929
הַבְּהֵמָ֑ה
and of beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן
and gave
H5414
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן
and gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
15 of 26
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֹתָ֜ם
H853
אֹתָ֜ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שֹֽׁמְרֵי֙
which kept
H8104
שֹֽׁמְרֵי֙
which kept
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
18 of 26
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙
the charge
H4931
מִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙
the charge
Strong's:
H4931
Word #:
19 of 26
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
מִשְׁכַּ֣ן
of the tabernacle
H4908
מִשְׁכַּ֣ן
of the tabernacle
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
20 of 26
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
21 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
22 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
24 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Levites received no land inheritance in Canaan (Numbers 18:20-24), depending on tithes and offerings. This spoil distribution provided immediate livestock and labor for tabernacle service during the conquest period. The 320 persons likely assisted with animal care, tent maintenance, and transport—essential for a mobile worship center serving 600,000+ people.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the Levitical provision from spoils teach about the community's responsibility to support those in full-time ministry?
- How does the principle "keepers of the charge" apply to pastoral oversight and spiritual stewardship today?
- Why does Scripture emphasize "as the LORD commanded"—what dangers arise when support for ministers comes from human invention rather than divine command?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites—From the congregation's half, Moses extracted a 2% Levitical tax (אֶחָד אָחֻז מִן־הַחֲמִשִּׁים, echad achutz min-ha-chamishim, "one drawn/seized from the fifty"). This totaled 6,750 sheep, 720 cattle, 610 donkeys, and 320 persons for the Levites, which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD (שֹׁמְרֵי מִשְׁמֶרֶת מִשְׁכַּן יְהוָה, shomrei mishmereth mishkan YHWH, "keepers of the keeping/service of the tabernacle").
This wasn't Moses' innovation but as the LORD commanded Moses—divine provision for those without tribal inheritance. Levites maintained worship, taught Torah, and administered justice. The 2% tax on community spoils (versus 0.2% on warriors' portion, v. 28-29) shows that communal wealth bore greater responsibility for supporting religious infrastructure.