1 Chronicles 23:3 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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³ Now the Levites ^H3881 were numbered ^H5608 from the age ^H1121 of thirty ^H7970 years ^H8141 and upward: ^H4605 and their number ^H4557 by their polls, ^H1538 man by man, ^H1397 was thirty ^H7970 and eight ^H8083 thousand. ^H505

Cross Reference

1 Chronicles 23:24 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

These were the sons ^H1121 of Levi ^H3878 after the house ^H1004 of their fathers; ^H1 even the chief ^H7218 of the fathers, ^H1 as they were counted ^H6485 by number ^H4557 of names ^H8034 by their polls, ^H1538 that did ^H6213 the work ^H4399 for the service ^H5656 of the house ^H1004 of the LORD, ^H3068 from the age ^H1121 of twenty ^H6242 years ^H8141 and upward. ^H4605

Numbers 4:2-49 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Take ^H5375 the sum ^H7218 of the sons ^H1121 of Kohath ^H6955 from among ^H8432 the sons ^H1121 of Levi, ^H3878 after their families, ^H4940 by the house ^H1004 of their fathers, ^H1 From thirty ^H7970 years ^H8141 old ^H1121 and upward ^H4605 even until fifty ^H2572 years ^H8141 old, ^H1121 all that enter ^H935 into the host, ^H6635 to do ^H6213 the work ^H4399 in the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation. ^H4150 This shall be the service ^H5656 of the sons ^H1121 of Kohath ^H6955 in the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation, ^H4150 about the most ^H6944 holy things: ^H6944 And when the camp ^H4264 setteth forward, ^H5265 Aaron ^H175 shall come, ^H935 and his sons, ^H1121 and they shall take down ^H3381 the covering ^H4539 vail, ^H6532 and cover ^H3680 the ark ^H727 of testimony ^H5715 with it: And shall put ^H5414 thereon the covering ^H3681 of badgers' ^H8476 skins, ^H5785 and shall spread ^H6566 over ^H4605 it a cloth ^H899 wholly ^H3632 of blue, ^H8504 and shall put ^H7760 in the staves ^H905 thereof. And upon the table ^H7979 of shewbread ^H6440 they shall spread ^H6566 a cloth ^H899 of blue, ^H8504 and put ^H5414 thereon the dishes, ^H7086 and the spoons, ^H3709 and the bowls, ^H4518 and covers ^H7184 to cover withal: ^H5262 and the continual ^H8548 bread ^H3899 shall be thereon: And they shall spread ^H6566 upon them a cloth ^H899 of scarlet, ^H8438 ^H8144 and cover ^H3680 the same with a covering ^H4372 of badgers' ^H8476 skins, ^H5785 and shall put ^H7760 in the staves ^H905 thereof. And they shall take ^H3947 a cloth ^H899 of blue, ^H8504 and cover ^H3680 the candlestick ^H4501 of the light, ^H3974 and his lamps, ^H5216 and his tongs, ^H4457 and his snuffdishes, ^H4289 and all the oil ^H8081 vessels ^H3627 thereof, wherewith they minister ^H8334 unto it: And they shall put ^H5414 it and all the vessels ^H3627 thereof within a covering ^H4372 of badgers' ^H8476 skins, ^H5785 and shall put ^H5414 it upon a bar. ^H4132 And upon the golden ^H2091 altar ^H4196 they shall spread ^H6566 a cloth ^H899 of blue, ^H8504 and cover ^H3680 it with a covering ^H4372 of badgers' ^H8476 skins, ^H5785 and shall put ^H7760 to the staves ^H905 thereof: And they shall take ^H3947 all the instruments ^H3627 of ministry, ^H8335 wherewith they minister ^H8334 in the sanctuary, ^H6944 and put ^H5414 them in a cloth ^H899 of blue, ^H8504 and cover ^H3680 them with a covering ^H4372 of badgers' ^H8476 skins, ^H5785 and shall put ^H5414 them on a bar: ^H4132 And they shall take away the ashes ^H1878 from the altar, ^H4196 and spread ^H6566 a purple ^H713 cloth ^H899 thereon: And they shall put ^H5414 upon it all the vessels ^H3627 thereof, wherewith they minister ^H8334 about it, even the censers, ^H4289 the fleshhooks, ^H4207 and the shovels, ^H3257 and the basons, ^H4219 all the vessels ^H3627 of the altar; ^H4196 and they shall spread ^H6566 upon it a covering ^H3681 of badgers' ^H8476 skins, ^H5785 and put ^H7760 to the staves ^H905 of it. And when Aaron ^H175 and his sons ^H1121 have made an end ^H3615 of covering ^H3680 the sanctuary, ^H6944 and all the vessels ^H3627 of the sanctuary, ^H6944 as the camp ^H4264 is to set forward; ^H5265 after ^H310 that, the sons ^H1121 of Kohath ^H6955 shall come ^H935 to bear ^H5375 it: but they shall not touch ^H5060 any holy thing, ^H6944 lest they die. ^H4191 These things are the burden ^H4853 of the sons ^H1121 of Kohath ^H6955 in the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation. ^H4150 And to the office ^H6486 of Eleazar ^H499 the son ^H1121 of Aaron ^H175 the priest ^H3548 pertaineth the oil ^H8081 for the light, ^H3974 and the sweet ^H5561 incense, ^H7004 and the daily ^H8548 meat offering, ^H4503 and the anointing ^H4888 oil, ^H8081 and the oversight ^H6486 of all the tabernacle, ^H4908 and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, ^H6944 and in the vessels ^H3627 thereof. And the LORD ^H3068 spake ^H1696 unto Moses ^H4872 and unto Aaron, ^H175 saying, ^H559 Cut ye not off ^H3772 the tribe ^H7626 of the families ^H4940 of the Kohathites ^H6956 from among ^H8432 the Levites: ^H3881 But thus do ^H6213 unto them, that they may live, ^H2421 and not die, ^H4191 when they approach ^H5066 unto the most ^H6944 holy things: ^H6944 Aaron ^H175 and his sons ^H1121 shall go in, ^H935 and appoint ^H7760 them every ^H376 one ^H376 to his service ^H5656 and to his burden: ^H4853 But they shall not go in ^H935 to see ^H7200 when the holy things ^H6944 are covered, ^H1104 lest they die. ^H4191 And the LORD ^H3068 spake ^H1696 unto Moses, ^H4872 saying, ^H559 Take ^H5375 also the sum ^H7218 of the sons ^H1121 of Gershon, ^H1648 throughout the houses ^H1004 of their fathers, ^H1 by their families; ^H4940 From thirty ^H7970 years ^H8141 old ^H1121 and upward ^H4605 until fifty ^H2572 years ^H8141 old ^H1121 shalt thou number ^H6485 them; all that enter in ^H935 to perform ^H6633 the service, ^H6635 to do ^H5647 the work ^H5656 in the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation. ^H4150 This is the service ^H5656 of the families ^H4940 of the Gershonites, ^H1649 to serve, ^H5647 and for burdens: ^H4853 And they shall bear ^H5375 the curtains ^H3407 of the tabernacle, ^H4908 and the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation, ^H4150 his covering, ^H4372 and the covering ^H4372 of the badgers' ^H8476 skins that is above ^H4605 upon it, and the hanging ^H4539 for the door ^H6607 of the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation, ^H4150 And the hangings ^H7050 of the court, ^H2691 and the hanging ^H4539 for the door ^H6607 of the gate ^H8179 of the court, ^H2691 which is by the tabernacle ^H4908 and by the altar ^H4196 round about, ^H5439 and their cords, ^H4340 and all the instruments ^H3627 of their service, ^H5656 and all that is made ^H6213 for them: so shall they serve. ^H5647 At the appointment ^H6310 of Aaron ^H175 and his sons ^H1121 shall be all the service ^H5656 of the sons ^H1121 of the Gershonites, ^H1649 in all their burdens, ^H4853 and in all their service: ^H5656 and ye shall appoint ^H6485 unto them in charge ^H4931 all their burdens. ^H4853 This is the service ^H5656 of the families ^H4940 of the sons ^H1121 of Gershon ^H1649 in the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation: ^H4150 and their charge ^H4931 shall be under the hand ^H3027 of Ithamar ^H385 the son ^H1121 of Aaron ^H175 the priest. ^H3548 As for the sons ^H1121 of Merari, ^H4847 thou shalt number ^H6485 them after their families, ^H4940 by the house ^H1004 of their fathers; ^H1 From thirty ^H7970 years ^H8141 old ^H1121 and upward ^H4605 even unto fifty ^H2572 years ^H8141 old ^H1121 shalt thou number ^H6485 them, every one that entereth ^H935 into the service, ^H6635 to do ^H5647 the work ^H5656 of the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation. ^H4150 And this is the charge ^H4931 of their burden, ^H4853 according to all their service ^H5656 in the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation; ^H4150 the boards ^H7175 of the tabernacle, ^H4908 and the bars ^H1280 thereof, and the pillars ^H5982 thereof, and sockets ^H134 thereof, And the pillars ^H5982 of the court ^H2691 round about, ^H5439 and their sockets, ^H134 and their pins, ^H3489 and their cords, ^H4340 with all their instruments, ^H3627 and with all their service: ^H5656 and by name ^H8034 ye shall reckon ^H6485 the instruments ^H3627 of the charge ^H4931 of their burden. ^H4853 This is the service ^H5656 of the families ^H4940 of the sons ^H1121 of Merari, ^H4847 according to all their service, ^H5656 in the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation, ^H4150 under the hand ^H3027 of Ithamar ^H385 the son ^H1121 of Aaron ^H175 the priest. ^H3548 And Moses ^H4872 and Aaron ^H175 and the chief ^H5387 of the congregation ^H5712 numbered ^H6485 the sons ^H1121 of the Kohathites ^H6956 after their families, ^H4940 and after the house ^H1004 of their fathers, ^H1 From thirty ^H7970 years ^H8141 old ^H1121 and upward ^H4605 even unto fifty ^H2572 years ^H8141 old, ^H1121 every one that entereth ^H935 into the service, ^H6635 for the work ^H5656 in the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation: ^H4150 And those that were numbered ^H6485 of them by their families ^H4940 were two thousand ^H505 seven ^H7651 hundred ^H3967 and fifty. ^H2572 These were they that were numbered ^H6485 of the families ^H4940 of the Kohathites, ^H6956 all that might do service ^H5647 in the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation, ^H4150 which Moses ^H4872 and Aaron ^H175 did number ^H6485 according to the commandment ^H6310 of the LORD ^H3068 by the hand ^H3027 of Moses. ^H4872 And those that were numbered ^H6485 of the sons ^H1121 of Gershon, ^H1648 throughout their families, ^H4940 and by the house ^H1004 of their fathers, ^H1 From thirty ^H7970 years ^H8141 old ^H1121 and upward ^H4605 even unto fifty ^H2572 years ^H8141 old, ^H1121 every one that entereth ^H935 into the service, ^H6635 for the work ^H5656 in the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation, ^H4150 Even those that were numbered ^H6485 of them, throughout their families, ^H4940 by the house ^H1004 of their fathers, ^H1 were two thousand ^H505 and six ^H8337 hundred ^H3967 and thirty. ^H7970 These are they that were numbered ^H6485 of the families ^H4940 of the sons ^H1121 of Gershon, ^H1648 of all that might do service ^H5647 in the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation, ^H4150 whom Moses ^H4872 and Aaron ^H175 did number ^H6485 according to the commandment ^H6310 of the LORD. ^H3068 And those that were numbered ^H6485 of the families ^H4940 of the sons ^H1121 of Merari, ^H4847 throughout their families, ^H4940 by the house ^H1004 of their fathers, ^H1 From thirty ^H7970 years ^H8141 old ^H1121 and upward ^H4605 even unto fifty ^H2572 years ^H8141 old, ^H1121 every one that entereth ^H935 into the service, ^H6635 for the work ^H5656 in the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation, ^H4150 Even those that were numbered ^H6485 of them after their families, ^H4940 were three ^H7969 thousand ^H505 and two hundred. ^H3967 These be those that were numbered ^H6485 of the families ^H4940 of the sons ^H1121 of Merari, ^H4847 whom Moses ^H4872 and Aaron ^H175 numbered ^H6485 according to the word ^H6310 of the LORD ^H3068 by the hand ^H3027 of Moses. ^H4872 All those that were numbered ^H6485 of the Levites, ^H3881 whom Moses ^H4872 and Aaron ^H175 and the chief ^H5387 of Israel ^H3478 numbered, ^H6485 after their families, ^H4940 and after the house ^H1004 of their fathers, ^H1 From thirty ^H7970 years ^H8141 old ^H1121 and upward ^H4605 even unto fifty ^H2572 years ^H8141 old, ^H1121 every one that came ^H935 to do ^H5647 the service of the ministry, ^H5656 and the service ^H5656 of the burden ^H4853 in the tabernacle ^H168 of the congregation, ^H4150 Even those that were numbered ^H6485 of them, were eight ^H8083 thousand ^H505 and five ^H2568 hundred ^H3967 and fourscore. ^H8084 According to the commandment ^H6310 of the LORD ^H3068 they were numbered ^H6485 by the hand ^H3027 of Moses, ^H4872 every ^H376 one ^H376 according to his service, ^H5656 and according to his burden: ^H4853 thus were they numbered ^H6485 of him, as the LORD ^H3068 commanded ^H6680 Moses. ^H4872

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 23 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Keil & Delitzsch Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 23

David, having given charge concerning the building of the temple, in this and the following chapters settles the method of the temple-service and puts into order the offices and officers of it. In the late irregular times, and during the wars in the beginning of his reign, we may suppose that, though the Levitical ordinances were kept up, yet it was not in the order, nor with the beauty and exactness, that were desirable. Now David, being a prophet, as well as a prince, by divine warrant and direction, "set in order the things that were wanting.' In this chapter we are informed,

I. He declared Solomon to be his successor, (v. 1).
II. He numbered the Levites, and appointed them to their respective offices (v. 2-5).
III. He took an account of the several families of the Levites (v. 6-23).
IV. He made a new reckoning of them from twenty years old, and appointed them their work (v. 24-32). And in this he prepared for the temple as truly as when he laid up gold and silver for it; for the place is of small account in comparison with the work.

1Ch 23:1-23

Here we have,

I. The crown entailed, according to the divine appointment, v. 1. David made Solomon king, not to reign with him, or reign under him, but only to reign after him. This he did,
- 1. When he was old and full of days. He was but seventy years old when he died, and yet he was full of days, satur dierum-satisfied with living in this world. When he found himself going off, he made provision for the welfare of the kingdom after his decease, and pleased himself with the hopeful prospect of a happy settlement both in church and state.
- 2. He did it in parliament, in a solemn assembly of all the princes of Israel, which made Adonijah's attempt to break in upon Solomon's title and set it aside, notwithstanding this public recognition and establishment of it, the more impudent, impious, and ridiculous. Note, The settling or securing of the crown in the interests of the temple is a great blessing to the people and a great satisfaction to those who are themselves leaving the world.
II. The Levites numbered, according to the rule in Moses's time, from thirty years old to fifty, Num. 4:2, 3. Their number in Moses's time. by this rule, was 8580 (Num. 4:47, 48), but now it had increased above four-fold, much more in proportion than the rest of the tribes; for the serviceable men of Levi's tribe were now 38,000, unless we suppose that here those were reckoned who were above fifty, which was not the case there. Joab had not numbered the Levites (ch. 21:6), but David now did, not in pride, but for a good purpose, and then he needed not fear wrath for it.
III. The Levites distributed to their respective posts (v. 4, 5), that every hand might be employed (for, of all men, an idle Levite makes the worst figure), and that every part of the work might be carefully done. Now it was for the honour of God that so great a number of servants attended his house and the business of it. Much of the state of great men consists in the greatness of their retinue. When God kept house in Israel see what a great household he had, and all well fed and well taught. But what were these to the attendants of his throne above, and the innumerable company of angels? It was the happiness of Israel that they had among them such a considerable body of men who were obliged by their office to promote and keep up religion among them. If the worship of God go to decay in Israel, let it not be said that it was for want of due provision for the support of it, but that those who should have done it were careless and false. The work assigned the Levites was four-fold:-
- 1. Some, and indeed far the greater number, were to set forward the work of the house of the Lord: 24,000, almost two-thirds, were appointed for this service, to attend the priests in killing the sacrifices, flaying them, washing them, cutting them up, burning them, to have the meat-offerings and drink-offerings ready, to carry out dirt, and keep all the vessels and utensils of the temple clean, and every thing in its place, that the service might be performed both with expedition and with exactness. These served 1000 a-week, and so went round in twenty-four courses. Perhaps while the temple was in building some of these were employed to set forward that work, to assist the builders, at least to quicken them, and keep good order among them, and the decorum which became temple-work.
- 2. Others were officers and judges, not in the affairs of the temple, and in the controversies that arose there (for there, we may suppose, the priests presided), but in the country. They were magistrates, to give the laws of God in charge, to resolves difficulties, and to determine controversies that arose upon them. Of these there were 6000, in the several parts of the kingdom, that assisted the princes and elders of every tribe in the administration of justice.
- 3. Others were porters, to guard all the avenues of the house of God, to examine those that desired entrance, and to resist those that would force an entrance. These were the life-guards of the temple, and probably were armed accordingly.
- 4. Others were singers and players on instruments, whose business it was to keep up that part of the service; this was a new-erected office.
IV. The Levites mustered, and disposed of into their respective families and kindreds, that an account of them might the better be kept, and those that neglected their duty might be the more easily discovered, by calling over the roll, and obliging them to answer to their names, which each family might do for itself. When those of the same family were employed together it would engage them to love and assist one another. When Christ sent forth his disciples two and two he put together those that were brethren. Two families were here joined in one (v. 11) because they had not many sons. Those that are weak and little, separately, may be put together and appear considerable. That which is most observable in this account of the families of the Levites is that the posterity of Moses (that great man) stood upon the level with common Levites, and had no dignities or privileges at all peculiar to them; whilst the posterity of Aaron were advanced to the priest's office, to sanctify the most holy things, v. 13. It is said indeed of the grandson of Moses, Rehabiah, that his sons were highly multiplied, v. 17, margin. When God proposed to him that, if he would let fall his intercession for Israel, he would make of him a great nation, he generously refused it, in recompence for which his family is here greatly increased, and makes up in number what it wants in figure, in the tribe of Levi. Now,
- 1. The levelling of Moses' family with the rest is an evidence of his self-denial. Such an interest had he both with God and man that if he had aimed to raise his own family, to dignify and enrich that, he might easily have done so; but he was no self-seeking man, as appears from his leaving to his children no marks of distinction, which was a sign that he had the spirit of God and not the spirit of the world.
- 2. The elevation of Aaron's family above the rest was a recompence for his self-denial. When Moses (his younger brother) was made a god to Pharaoh, and he only his prophet or spokesman, to observe his orders and do as he was bidden, Aaron never disputed it, nor insisted upon his seniority, but readily took the inferior post God put him in, submitted to Moses, and, upon occasion, called him his lord; and because he thus submitted himself, in his own person, to his junior, in compliance with the will of God, God highly exalted his family, even above that of Moses himself. Those that are content to stoop are in the fairest way to rise. Before honour is humility.

1Ch 23:24-32

Here is,

I. An alteration made in the computation of the effective men of the Levites-that whereas, in Moses's time, they were not enlisted, or taken into service, till they were thirty-years old, nor admitted as probationers till twenty-five (Num. 8:24), David ordered, by direction from God, that they should be numbered for the service of the house of the Lord, from the age of twenty years and upwards, v. 24. This order he confirmed by his last words, v. 27. When he put his last hand to the draught of this establishment he expressly appointed this to be done for ever after; yet not he; but the Lord.
- 1. Perhaps the young Levites, having no work appointed them till twenty-five years old, had many of them got a habit of idleness, or grew addicted to their pleasures, which proved both a blemish to their reputation and a hindrance to their usefulness afterwards, to prevent which inconvenience they are set to work, and brought under discipline, at twenty-years old. Those that will be eminent must learn to take care and take care betimes.
- 2. When the work of the Levites was to carry burdens, heavy burdens, the tabernacle and the furniture of it, God would not call any to it till they had come to their full strength; for he considers our frame, and, in service as well as sufferings, will lay no more upon us than we are able to bear. But now God had given rest to his people, and made Jerusalem his dwelling-place for ever, so that there was no more occasion to carry the tabernacle and the vessels thereof, the service was much easier, and what would not over-work them nor over-load them if they entered upon it at twenty-years old.
- 3. Now the people of Israel were multiplied, and there was a more general resort to Jerusalem, and would be when the temple was built, than had ever been at Shiloh, or Nob, or Gibeon; it was therefore requisite there should be more hands employed in the temple-service, that every Israelite who brought an offering might find a Levite ready to assist him. When more work is to be done it is a pity but there should be more workmen fetched in for the doing of it. When the harvest is plenteous why should the labourers be few?
II. A further account of the Levites' work. What the work of the priests was we are told (v. 13): To sanctify the most holy things, to burn incense before the Lord, and to bless in his name; that work the Levites were not to meddle with, and yet they had work enough, and good work, according to that to which they were appointed, v. 4, 5.
- 1. Those of them that were to set forward the work of the house of God (v. 4) were therein to wait on the sons of Aaron (v. 28), were to do the drudgery-work (if any work for God is to be called drudgery) of the house of God, to keep the courts and chambers clean, set things in their places, and have them ready when there was occasion to use them. They were to prepare the show-bread which the priests were to set on the table, to provide the flour and cakes for the meat-offerings, that the priests might have every thing ready to their hands.
- 2. Those of them that were judges and officers had an eye particularly upon all measure and size, v. 29. The standards of all weights and measures were kept in the sanctuary; and the Levites had the care of them, to see that they were exact, and to try other weights and measures by them when they were appealed to.
- 3. The work of the singers was to thank and praise the Lord (v. 30), at the offering of the morning and evening sacrifices, and other oblations on the sabbaths, new moons, etc., v. 31. Moses appointed that they should blow with trumpets over their burnt offerings and other sacrifices, and on their solemn days, Num. 10:10. The sound of the trumpet was awful, and might be affecting to the worshippers, but was not articulate, nor such a reasonable service as this which David appointed, of singing psalms on those occasions. As the Jewish church grew up from its infancy, it grew more and more intelligent in its devotions, till it came at length, in the gospel, to put away childish things, 1 Co. 13:11; Gal. 4:3, 9.
- 4. The work of the porters (v. 5) was to keep the charge of the tabernacle and of the holy place, that none might come nigh but such as were allowed, and those no nearer than was allowed them, v. 32. They were likewise to keep the charge of the sons of Aaron, to be at their beck and go on their errands, who are yet called their brethren, to be a memorandum to the priests that, though they were advanced to a high station, yet they were hewn out of the same rock with common Levites, and therefore must not lord it over them, but in all instances treat them as brethren.

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