Numbers 4:44
Even those that were numbered of them after their families, were three thousand and two hundred.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ
H1961
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 6
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
פְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֖ם
Even those that were numbered
H6485
פְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֖ם
Even those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
2 of 6
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם
of them after their families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם
of them after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
3 of 6
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
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת
were three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת
were three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
4 of 6
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
Historical Context
The census totals for each Levitical clan differ from their earlier counts (chapter 3), as chapter 3 enumerated all males from one month old upward, while chapter 4 counts only those ages 30-50 qualified for active service. This distinction clarifies that not all Levites served simultaneously—a principle applicable to church ministry staffing.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Merarites' disproportionate service burden (52% of their males in active duty) illustrate the principle of bearing one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2)?
- What does the relatively small percentage of vocational servants (1.4%) suggest about God's design for lay ministry and priesthood of all believers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Three thousand and two hundred—The Merarites numbered 3,200 qualified servants from a total clan of 6,200 males (3:34), yielding a 52% service ratio—significantly higher than Kohathites (32%) or Gershonites (35%). This suggests Merarite work was the most physically demanding, requiring maximum available manpower. Heavy structural components (boards, pillars, bronze sockets) demanded robust labor forces.
Combined, the three Levitical clans provided 8,580 servants (2,750 + 2,630 + 3,200) for tabernacle transport and ministry. This workforce-to-congregation ratio (8,580 servants for ~600,000 men, or ~1.4% of the population) parallels New Testament teaching that not all are called to vocational ministry (1 Corinthians 12:29-30), yet all serve in diverse capacities.