King James Version

What Does Numbers 26:57 Mean?

Numbers 26:57 in the King James Version says “And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites.”

Numbers 26:57 · KJV

Context

55

Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.

56

According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.

57

And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites.

58

These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram.

59

And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
These are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families—the Levites (לְוִיִּם) receive separate census treatment. While other tribes numbered fighting men 20+, Levites counted all males from one month old (v. 62). Gershon (גֵּרְשׁוֹן, "exile/stranger"), Kohath (קְהָת, "assembly"), and Merari (מְרָרִי, "bitter")—the three divisions—organized tabernacle service.

The names carry meaning: exiles who assemble in bitterness? Or strangers who gather despite bitterness? Levites owned no land ("exile"), gathered for worship ("assembly"), and tasted life's bitterness serving a stiff-necked people. Yet they were God's treasured possession, His inheritance. Landlessness became their greatest wealth: "The LORD is their inheritance" (Deuteronomy 10:9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This second Levitical census (the first was Numbers 3:14-39) confirmed the tribe chosen to replace Israel's firstborn sons after the golden calf incident (Exodus 32:26-29). Levites demonstrated loyalty when others apostatized, earning perpetual priestly service. This census counted the new generation of that faithful tribe.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the meanings of the Levitical divisions (stranger, assembly, bitterness) describe Christian ministry's costs and purposes?
  2. What does the Levites' landlessness but divine inheritance teach about possessing God Himself rather than earthly possessions?
  3. How did the Levites' choice to stand with God during the golden calf rebellion earn their descendants a perpetual inheritance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְאֵ֨לֶּה1 of 13
H428

these or those

פְקוּדֵ֣י2 of 13

“And these are they that were numbered”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

הַלֵּוִי֮3 of 13

“of the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת4 of 13

“after their families”

H4940

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

לְגֵֽרְשׁ֗וֹן5 of 13

“of Gershon”

H1648

gereshon or gereshom, an israelite

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת6 of 13

“after their families”

H4940

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

הַגֵּ֣רְשֻׁנִּ֔י7 of 13

“of the Gershonites”

H1649

a gereshonite or descendant of gereshon

לִקְהָ֕ת8 of 13

“of Kohath”

H6955

kehath, an israelite

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת9 of 13

“after their families”

H4940

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

הַקְּהָתִ֑י10 of 13

“of the Kohathites”

H6956

a kohathite (collectively) or descendants of kehath

לִמְרָרִ֕י11 of 13

“of Merari”

H4847

merari, an israelite

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת12 of 13

“after their families”

H4940

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

הַמְּרָרִֽי׃13 of 13

“of the Merarites”

H4848

a merarite (collectively), or decendants of merari

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 26:57 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 26:57 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 46:111 Chronicles 6:1Exodus 6:16-191 Chronicles 6:16-30Numbers 35:2-3Numbers 3:1-4

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