Numbers 4:46
All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers,
Original Language Analysis
כָּֽל
H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פָּקַ֨ד
All those that were numbered
H6485
פָּקַ֨ד
All those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
2 of 13
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 #:
3 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פָּקַ֨ד
All those that were numbered
H6485
פָּקַ֨ד
All those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
4 of 13
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
וּנְשִׂיאֵ֥י
and the chief
H5387
וּנְשִׂיאֵ֥י
and the chief
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 13
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
11 of 13
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
Historical Context
The Levites replaced Israel's firstborn as God's special servants after the golden calf apostasy (Exodus 32:26-29). This census in the wilderness (Numbers 4, c. 1444 BC) organized their service for the 38 remaining wilderness years and prepared them for Canaan. The chiefs of Israel participated as witnesses to the sacred trust placed on Levi's tribe.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the dual structure of 'families' and 'house of fathers' model the importance of both corporate and familial identity in the body of Christ?
- What leadership lessons emerge from Moses, Aaron, and the chiefs jointly conducting the census rather than working in isolation?
- In what ways does understanding your spiritual lineage ('house of fathers') shape your sense of calling and service?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
All those that were numbered of the Levites—This transitional verse begins the comprehensive summary of the Levitical census. The triple emphasis on counting whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered reinforces shared leadership accountability. The structure after their families, and after the house of their fathers reveals God's concern for both tribal identity and household lineage.
The Hebrew mishpachot (families) and beit avot (house of fathers) distinguish clan subdivisions from patriarchal households. This dual categorization ensured every Levite knew both his tribal duty and family heritage within sacred service. Organization flowed from identity, not arbitrary assignment.