King James Version
Numbers 3:15 in the King James Version says “Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward ...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.”
Numbers 3:15 · KJV
Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.
And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded. word: Heb. mouth
And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“Number”
H6485to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“old”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
“after the house”
H1004a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
“of their fathers”
H1father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
“by their families”
H4940a 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
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
“every male”
H2145properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
“old”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
“and upward”
H4605properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
“Number”
H6485to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
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.
Numbers 3:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Numbers 3:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge