King James Version

What Does Numbers 3:39 Mean?

Numbers 3:39 in the King James Version says “All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their f...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand.”

Numbers 3:39 · KJV

Context

37

And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords.

38

But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

39

All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand.

40

And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.

41

And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The total of 22,000 Levites (though the individual family totals sum to 22,300, likely due to rounding or textual issues) demonstrates God's provision of adequate ministers for tabernacle service. This number was significant as it closely matched the 22,000 firstborn males of Israel (verse 43), showing God's gracious substitution. The Levites served as representatives replacing all Israel's firstborn, illustrating the principle of substitutionary representation fulfilled ultimately in Christ, who represents all believers before God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The census counted males one month old and above, unlike Israel's military census which counted those twenty years and above. This included infants and children, showing that consecration to God began from birth for the Levitical families. The slight numerical discrepancy between Levites and firstborn (verse 43 shows 22,273 firstborn) required redemption payment for the excess 273 (verses 46-47).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Levitical substitution for Israel's firstborn illustrate Christ's substitutionary work for believers?
  2. What does God's provision of exactly the right number of ministers teach about His sovereignty in calling workers for His kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
כָּל1 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

פָּקַ֨ד2 of 19

“All that were numbered”

H6485

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

הַלְוִיִּ֜ם3 of 19

“of the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

אֲשֶׁר֩4 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

פָּקַ֨ד5 of 19

“All that were numbered”

H6485

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

מֹשֶׁ֧ה6 of 19

“which Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְׄאַֽׄהֲׄרֹ֛ׄןׄ7 of 19

“and Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

עַל8 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פִּ֥י9 of 19

“at the commandment”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

יְהוָ֖ה10 of 19

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם11 of 19

“throughout 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

כָּל12 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

זָכָר֙13 of 19

“all the males”

H2145

properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)

מִבֶּן14 of 19

“old”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חֹ֣דֶשׁ15 of 19

“from a month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

וָמַ֔עְלָה16 of 19

“and upward”

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

שְׁנַ֥יִם17 of 19

“and two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים18 of 19

“were twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

אָֽלֶף׃19 of 19

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

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 3:39 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 3:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 26:62Matthew 7:14Numbers 4:47-48

Test Your Knowledge

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