17 And these were the sons H1121 of Levi H3878 by their names; H8034 Gershon, H1648 and Kohath, H6955 and Merari. H4847
And the sons H1121 of Levi; H3878 Gershon, H1648 Kohath, H6955 and Merari. H4847
And these are the names H8034 of the sons H1121 of Levi H3878 according to their generations; H8435 Gershon, H1648 and Kohath, H6955 and Merari: H4847 and the years H8141 of the life H2416 of Levi H3878 were an hundred H3967 thirty H7970 and seven H7651 years. H8141 The sons H1121 of Gershon; H1648 Libni, H3845 and Shimi, H8096 according to their families. H4940 And the sons H1121 of Kohath; H6955 Amram, H6019 and Izhar, H3324 and Hebron, H2275 and Uzziel: H5816 and the years H8141 of the life H2416 of Kohath H6955 were an hundred H3967 thirty H7970 and three H7969 years. H8141 And the sons H1121 of Merari; H4847 Mahali H4249 and Mushi: H4187 these are the families H4940 of Levi H3878 according to their generations. H8435
And the fourth H7243 part of an hin H1969 of wine H3196 for a drink offering H5262 shalt thou prepare H6213 with the burnt offering H5930 or sacrifice, H2077 for one H259 lamb. H3532 Or for a ram, H352 thou shalt prepare H6213 for a meat offering H4503 two H8147 tenth deals H6241 of flour H5560 mingled H1101 with the third H7992 part of an hin H1969 of oil. H8081 And for a drink offering H5262 thou shalt offer H7126 the third H7992 part of an hin H1969 of wine, H3196 for a sweet H5207 savour H7381 unto the LORD. H3068 And when thou preparest H6213 a bullock H1121 H1241 for a burnt offering, H5930 or for a sacrifice H2077 in performing H6381 a vow, H5088 or peace offerings H8002 unto the LORD: H3068 Then shall he bring H7126 with a bullock H1241 H1121 a meat offering H4503 of three H7969 tenth deals H6241 of flour H5560 mingled H1101 with half H2677 an hin H1969 of oil. H8081 And thou shalt bring H7126 for a drink offering H5262 half H2677 an hin H1969 of wine, H3196 for an offering made by fire, H801 of a sweet H5207 savour H7381 unto the LORD. H3068 Thus shall it be done H6213 for one H259 bullock, H7794 or for one H259 ram, H352 or for a lamb, H3532 H7716 or a kid. H5795 According to the number H4557 that ye shall prepare, H6213 so H3602 shall ye do H6213 to every one H259 according to their number. H4557 All that are born of the country H249 shall do H6213 these things after this manner, in offering H7126 an offering made by fire, H801 of a sweet H5207 savour H7381 unto the LORD. H3068 And if a stranger H1616 sojourn H1481 with you, or whosoever be among H8432 you in your generations, H1755 and will offer H6213 an offering made by fire, H801 of a sweet H5207 savour H7381 unto the LORD; H3068 as ye do, H6213 so he shall do. H6213 One H259 ordinance H2708 shall be both for you of the congregation, H6951 and also for the stranger H1616 that sojourneth H1481 with you, an ordinance H2708 for ever H5769 in your generations: H1755 as ye are, so shall the stranger H1616 be before H6440 the LORD. H3068 One H259 law H8451 and one H259 manner H4941 shall be for you, and for the stranger H1616 that sojourneth H1481 with you. And the LORD H3068 spake H1696 unto Moses, H4872 saying, H559 Speak H1696 unto the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 and say H559 unto them, When ye come H935 into the land H776 whither I bring H935 you, Then it shall be, that, when ye eat H398 of the bread H3899 of the land, H776 ye shall offer up H7311 an heave offering H8641 unto the LORD. H3068 Ye shall offer up H7311 a cake H2471 of the first H7225 of your dough H6182 for an heave offering: H8641 as ye do the heave offering H8641 of the threshingfloor, H1637 so shall ye heave H7311 it. Of the first H7225 of your dough H6182 ye shall give H5414 unto the LORD H3068 an heave offering H8641 in your generations. H1755 And if ye have erred, H7686 and not observed H6213 all these commandments, H4687 which the LORD H3068 hath spoken H1696 unto Moses, H4872 Even all that the LORD H3068 hath commanded H6680 you by the hand H3027 of Moses, H4872 from the day H3117 that the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses, and henceforward H1973 among your generations; H1755
And he returned H7725 unto him, and, lo, he stood H5324 by his burnt sacrifice, H5930 he, and all the princes H8269 of Moab. H4124 And he took up H5375 his parable, H4912 and said, H559 Balak H1111 the king H4428 of Moab H4124 hath brought H5148 me from Aram, H758 out of the mountains H2042 of the east, H6924 saying, Come, H3212 curse H779 me Jacob, H3290 and come, H3212 defy H2194 Israel. H3478 How H4100 shall I curse, H5344 whom God H410 hath not cursed? H6895 or how shall I defy, H2194 whom the LORD H3068 hath not defied? H2194 For from the top H7218 of the rocks H6697 I see H7200 him, and from the hills H1389 I behold H7789 him: lo, the people H5971 shall dwell H7931 alone, H910 and shall not be reckoned H2803 among the nations. H1471 Who can count H4487 the dust H6083 of Jacob, H3290 and the number H4557 of the fourth H7255 part of Israel? H3478 Let me die H4191 H5315 the death H4194 of the righteous, H3477 and let my last H319 end be like his! And Balak H1111 said H559 unto Balaam, H1109 What hast thou done H6213 unto me? I took H3947 thee to curse H6895 mine enemies, H341 and, behold, thou hast blessed H1288 them altogether. H1288 And he answered H6030 and said, H559 Must I not take heed H8104 to speak H1696 that which the LORD H3068 hath put H7760 in my mouth? H6310 And Balak H1111 said H559 unto him, Come, H3212 I pray thee, with me unto another H312 place, H4725 from whence thou mayest see H7200 them: thou shalt see H7200 but H657 the utmost H7097 part of them, and shalt not see H7200 them all: and curse H6895 me them from thence. And he brought H3947 him into the field H7704 of Zophim, H6839 H6822 to the top H7218 of Pisgah, H6449 and built H1129 seven H7651 altars, H4196 and offered H5927 a bullock H6499 and a ram H352 on every altar. H4196 And he said H559 unto Balak, H1111 Stand H3320 here H3541 by thy burnt offering, H5930 while I meet H7136 the LORD yonder. H3541 And the LORD H3068 met H7136 Balaam, H1109 and put H7760 a word H1697 in his mouth, H6310 and said, H559 Go again H7725 unto Balak, H1111 and say H1696 thus. And when he came H935 to him, behold, he stood H5324 by his burnt offering, H5930 and the princes H8269 of Moab H4124 with him. And Balak H1111 said H559 unto him, What hath the LORD H3068 spoken? H1696 And he took up H5375 his parable, H4912 and said, H559 Rise up, H6965 Balak, H1111 and hear; H8085 hearken H238 unto me, thou son H1121 of Zippor: H6834 God H410 is not a man, H376 that he should lie; H3576 neither the son H1121 of man, H120 that he should repent: H5162 hath he said, H559 and shall he not do H6213 it? or hath he spoken, H1696 and shall he not make it good? H6965 Behold, I have received H3947 commandment to bless: H1288 and he hath blessed; H1288 and I cannot reverse H7725 it. He hath not beheld H5027 iniquity H205 in Jacob, H3290 neither hath he seen H7200 perverseness H5999 in Israel: H3478 the LORD H3068 his God H430 is with him, and the shout H8643 of a king H4428 is among them. God H410 brought them out H3318 of Egypt; H4714 he hath as it were the strength H8443 of an unicorn. H7214 Surely there is no enchantment H5173 against Jacob, H3290 neither is there any divination H7081 against Israel: H3478 according to this time H6256 it shall be said H559 of Jacob H3290 and of Israel, H3478 What hath God H410 wrought! H6466
And when Balaam H1109 saw H7200 that it pleased H5869 H2895 the LORD H3068 to bless H1288 Israel, H3478 he went H1980 not, as at other times, H6471 to seek H7125 for enchantments, H5173 but he set H7896 his face H6440 toward the wilderness. H4057 And Balaam H1109 lifted up H5375 his eyes, H5869 and he saw H7200 Israel H3478 abiding H7931 in his tents according to their tribes; H7626 and the spirit H7307 of God H430 came upon him. And he took up H5375 his parable, H4912 and said, H559 Balaam H1109 the son H1121 of Beor H1160 hath said, H5002 and the man H1397 whose eyes H5869 are open H8365 hath said: H5002 He hath said, H5002 which heard H8085 the words H561 of God, H410 which saw H2372 the vision H4236 of the Almighty, H7706 falling H5307 into a trance, but having his eyes H5869 open: H1540 How goodly H2895 are thy tents, H168 O Jacob, H3290 and thy tabernacles, H4908 O Israel! H3478 As the valleys H5158 are they spread forth, H5186 as gardens H1593 by the river's side, H5104 as the trees of lign aloes H174 which the LORD H3068 hath planted, H5193 and as cedar trees H730 beside the waters. H4325 He shall pour H5140 the water H4325 out H5140 of his buckets, H1805 and his seed H2233 shall be in many H7227 waters, H4325 and his king H4428 shall be higher H7311 than Agag, H90 and his kingdom H4438 shall be exalted. H5375 God H410 brought him forth H3318 out of Egypt; H4714 he hath as it were the strength H8443 of an unicorn: H7214 he shall eat up H398 the nations H1471 his enemies, H6862 and shall break H1633 their bones, H6106 and pierce H4272 them through with his arrows. H2671 He couched, H3766 he lay down H7901 as a lion, H738 and as a great lion: H3833 who shall stir him up? H6965 Blessed H1288 is he that blesseth H1288 thee, and cursed H779 is he that curseth H779 thee. And Balak's H1111 anger H639 was kindled H2734 against Balaam, H1109 and he smote H5606 his hands H3709 together: H5606 and Balak H1111 said H559 unto Balaam, H1109 I called H7121 thee to curse H6895 mine enemies, H341 and, behold, thou hast altogether H1288 blessed H1288 them these three H7969 times. H6471 Therefore now flee H1272 thou to thy place: H4725 I thought H559 to promote H3513 thee unto great H3513 honour; H3513 but, lo, the LORD H3068 hath kept thee back H4513 from honour. H3519 And Balaam H1109 said H559 unto Balak, H1111 Spake H1696 I not also to thy messengers H4397 which thou sentest H7971 unto me, saying, H559 If Balak H1111 would give H5414 me his house H1004 full H4393 of silver H3701 and gold, H2091 I cannot H3201 go beyond H5674 the commandment H6310 of the LORD, H3068 to do H6213 either good H2896 or bad H7451 of mine own mind; H3820 but what the LORD H3068 saith, H1696 that will I speak? H1696 And now, behold, I go H1980 unto my people: H5971 come H3212 therefore, and I will advertise H3289 thee what this people H5971 shall do H6213 to thy people H5971 in the latter H319 days. H3117 And he took up H5375 his parable, H4912 and said, H559 Balaam H1109 the son H1121 of Beor H1160 hath said, H5002 and the man H1397 whose eyes H5869 are open H8365 hath said: H5002 He hath said, H5002 which heard H8085 the words H561 of God, H410 and knew H3045 the knowledge H1847 of the most High, H5945 which saw H2372 the vision H4236 of the Almighty, H7706 falling H5307 into a trance, but having his eyes H5869 open: H1540 I shall see H7200 him, but not now: I shall behold H7789 him, but not nigh: H7138 there shall come H1869 a Star H3556 out of Jacob, H3290 and a Sceptre H7626 shall rise H6965 out of Israel, H3478 and shall smite H4272 the corners H6285 of Moab, H4124 and destroy H6979 all the children H1121 of Sheth. H8352 H8351 And Edom H123 shall be a possession, H3424 Seir H8165 also shall be a possession H3424 for his enemies; H341 and Israel H3478 shall do H6213 valiantly. H2428 Out of Jacob H3290 shall come he that shall have dominion, H7287 and shall destroy H6 him that remaineth H8300 of the city. H5892 And when he looked H7200 on Amalek, H6002 he took up H5375 his parable, H4912 and said, H559 Amalek H6002 was the first H7225 of the nations; H1471 but his latter H319 end shall be that he perish H8 for ever. H5703 And he looked H7200 on the Kenites, H7017 and took up H5375 his parable, H4912 and said, H559 Strong H386 is thy dwellingplace, H4186 and thou puttest H7760 thy nest H7064 in a rock. H5553 Nevertheless the Kenite H7014 shall H518 be wasted, H1197 until Asshur H804 shall carry thee away captive. H7617 And he took up H5375 his parable, H4912 and said, H559 Alas, H188 who shall live H2421 when God H410 doeth H7760 this! And ships H6716 shall come from the coast H3027 of Chittim, H3794 and shall afflict H6031 Asshur, H804 and shall afflict H6031 Eber, H5677 and he also shall perish H8 for ever. H5703 And Balaam H1109 rose up, H6965 and went H3212 and returned H7725 to his place: H4725 and Balak H1111 also went H1980 his way. H1870
And these are they that were numbered H6485 of the Levites H3881 after their families: H4940 of Gershon, H1648 the family H4940 of the Gershonites: H1649 of Kohath, H6955 the family H4940 of the Kohathites: H6956 of Merari, H4847 the family H4940 of the Merarites. H4848 These are the families H4940 of the Levites: H3881 the family H4940 of the Libnites, H3846 the family H4940 of the Hebronites, H2276 the family H4940 of the Mahlites, H4250 the family H4940 of the Mushites, H4188 the family H4940 of the Korathites. H7145 And Kohath H6955 begat H3205 Amram. H6019
Then came near H5066 the heads H7218 of the fathers H1 of the Levites H3881 unto Eleazar H499 the priest, H3548 and unto Joshua H3091 the son H1121 of Nun, H5126 and unto the heads H7218 of the fathers H1 of the tribes H4294 of the children H1121 of Israel; H3478 And they spake H1696 unto them at Shiloh H7887 in the land H776 of Canaan, H3667 saying, H559 The LORD H3068 commanded H6680 by the hand H3027 of Moses H4872 to give H5414 us cities H5892 to dwell in, H3427 with the suburbs H4054 thereof for our cattle. H929 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 gave H5414 unto the Levites H3881 out of their inheritance, H5159 at the commandment H6310 of the LORD, H3068 these cities H5892 and their suburbs. H4054 And the lot H1486 came out H3318 for the families H4940 of the Kohathites: H6956 and the children H1121 of Aaron H175 the priest, H3548 which were of the Levites, H3881 had by lot H1486 out of the tribe H4294 of Judah, H3063 and out of the tribe H4294 of Simeon, H8099 and out of the tribe H4294 of Benjamin, H1144 thirteen H7969 H6240 cities. H5892 And the rest H3498 of the children H1121 of Kohath H6955 had by lot H1486 out of the families H4940 of the tribe H4294 of Ephraim, H669 and out of the tribe H4294 of Dan, H1835 and out of the half H2677 tribe H4294 of Manasseh, H4519 ten H6235 cities. H5892 And the children H1121 of Gershon H1648 had by lot H1486 out of the families H4940 of the tribe H4294 of Issachar, H3485 and out of the tribe H4294 of Asher, H836 and out of the tribe H4294 of Naphtali, H5321 and out of the half H2677 tribe H4294 of Manasseh H4519 in Bashan, H1316 thirteen H7969 H6240 cities. H5892 The children H1121 of Merari H4847 by their families H4940 had out of the tribe H4294 of Reuben, H7205 and out of the tribe H4294 of Gad, H1410 and out of the tribe H4294 of Zebulun, H2074 twelve H8147 H6240 cities. H5892 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 gave H5414 by lot H1486 unto the Levites H3881 these cities H5892 with their suburbs, H4054 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 by the hand H3027 of Moses. H4872 And they gave H5414 out of the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Judah, H3063 and out of the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Simeon, H8095 these cities H5892 which are here mentioned H7121 by name, H8034 Which the children H1121 of Aaron, H175 being of the families H4940 of the Kohathites, H6956 who were of the children H1121 of Levi, H3878 had: for theirs was the first H7223 H7223 lot. H1486 And they gave H5414 them the city H7151 of Arba H704 H7153 the father H1 of Anak, H6061 which city is Hebron, H2275 in the hill H2022 country of Judah, H3063 with the suburbs H4054 thereof round about H5439 it. But the fields H7704 of the city, H5892 and the villages H2691 thereof, gave H5414 they to Caleb H3612 the son H1121 of Jephunneh H3312 for his possession. H272 Thus they gave H5414 to the children H1121 of Aaron H175 the priest H3548 Hebron H2275 with her suburbs, H4054 to be a city H5892 of refuge H4733 for the slayer; H7523 and Libnah H3841 with her suburbs, H4054 And Jattir H3492 with her suburbs, H4054 and Eshtemoa H851 with her suburbs, H4054 And Holon H2473 with her suburbs, H4054 and Debir H1688 with her suburbs, H4054 And Ain H5871 with her suburbs, H4054 and Juttah H3194 with her suburbs, H4054 and Bethshemesh H1053 with her suburbs; H4054 nine H8672 cities H5892 out of those two H8147 tribes. H7626 And out of the tribe H4294 of Benjamin, H1144 Gibeon H1391 with her suburbs, H4054 Geba H1387 with her suburbs, H4054 Anathoth H6068 with her suburbs, H4054 and Almon H5960 with her suburbs; H4054 four H702 cities. H5892 All the cities H5892 of the children H1121 of Aaron, H175 the priests, H3548 were thirteen H7969 H6240 cities H5892 with their suburbs. H4054 And the families H4940 of the children H1121 of Kohath, H6955 the Levites H3881 which remained H3498 of the children H1121 of Kohath, H6955 even they had the cities H5892 of their lot H1486 out of the tribe H4294 of Ephraim. H669 For they gave H5414 them Shechem H7927 with her suburbs H4054 in mount H2022 Ephraim, H669 to be a city H5892 of refuge H4733 for the slayer; H7523 and Gezer H1507 with her suburbs, H4054 And Kibzaim H6911 with her suburbs, H4054 and Bethhoron H1032 with her suburbs; H4054 four H702 cities. H5892 And out of the tribe H4294 of Dan, H1835 Eltekeh H514 with her suburbs, H4054 Gibbethon H1405 with her suburbs, H4054 Aijalon H357 with her suburbs, H4054 Gathrimmon H1667 with her suburbs; H4054 four H702 cities. H5892 And out of the half H4276 tribe H4294 of Manasseh, H4519 Tanach H8590 with her suburbs, H4054 and Gathrimmon H1667 with her suburbs; H4054 two H8147 cities. H5892 All the cities H5892 were ten H6235 with their suburbs H4054 for the families H4940 of the children H1121 of Kohath H6955 that remained. H3498 And unto the children H1121 of Gershon, H1648 of the families H4940 of the Levites, H3881 out of the other half H2677 tribe H4294 of Manasseh H4519 they gave Golan H1474 in Bashan H1316 with her suburbs, H4054 to be a city H5892 of refuge H4733 for the slayer; H7523 and Beeshterah H1203 with her suburbs; H4054 two H8147 cities. H5892 And out of the tribe H4294 of Issachar, H3485 Kishon H7191 with her suburbs, H4054 Dabareh H1705 with her suburbs, H4054 Jarmuth H3412 with her suburbs, H4054 Engannim H5873 with her suburbs; H4054 four H702 cities. H5892 And out of the tribe H4294 of Asher, H836 Mishal H4861 with her suburbs, H4054 Abdon H5658 with her suburbs, H4054 Helkath H2520 with her suburbs, H4054 and Rehob H7340 with her suburbs; H4054 four H702 cities. H5892 And out of the tribe H4294 of Naphtali, H5321 Kedesh H6943 in Galilee H1551 with her suburbs, H4054 to be a city H5892 of refuge H4733 for the slayer; H7523 and Hammothdor H2576 with her suburbs, H4054 and Kartan H7178 with her suburbs; H4054 three H7969 cities. H5892 All the cities H5892 of the Gershonites H1649 according to their families H4940 were thirteen H7969 H6240 cities H5892 with their suburbs. H4054 And unto the families H4940 of the children H1121 of Merari, H4847 the rest H3498 of the Levites, H3881 out of the tribe H4294 of Zebulun, H2074 Jokneam H3362 with her suburbs, H4054 and Kartah H7177 with her suburbs, H4054 Dimnah H1829 with her suburbs, H4054 Nahalal H5096 with her suburbs; H4054 four H702 cities. H5892 And out of the tribe of Reuben, H7205 Bezer H1221 with her suburbs, and Jahazah H3096 with her suburbs, Kedemoth H6932 with her suburbs, and Mephaath H4158 with her suburbs; four H702 cities. H5892 And out of the tribe H4294 of Gad, H1410 Ramoth H7433 in Gilead H1568 with her suburbs, H4054 to be a city H5892 of refuge H4733 for the slayer; H7523 and Mahanaim H4266 with her suburbs, H4054 Heshbon H2809 with her suburbs, H4054 Jazer H3270 with her suburbs; H4054 four H702 cities H5892 in all. So all the cities H5892 for the children H1121 of Merari H4847 by their families, H4940 which were remaining H3498 of the families H4940 of the Levites, H3881 were by their lot H1486 twelve H8147 H6240 cities. H5892 All the cities H5892 of the Levites H3881 within H8432 the possession H272 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478 were forty H705 and eight H8083 cities H5892 with their suburbs. H4054 These cities H5892 were every one H5892 H5892 with their suburbs H4054 round about H5439 them: thus were all these cities. H5892 And the LORD H3068 gave H5414 unto Israel H3478 all the land H776 which he sware H7650 to give H5414 unto their fathers; H1 and they possessed H3423 it, and dwelt H3427 therein. And the LORD H3068 gave them rest H5117 round about, H5439 according to all that he sware H7650 unto their fathers: H1 and there stood H5975 not a man H376 of all their enemies H341 before H6440 them; the LORD H3068 delivered H5414 all their enemies H341 into their hand. H3027 There failed H5307 not ought H1697 of any good H2896 thing H1697 which the LORD H3068 had spoken H1696 unto the house H1004 of Israel; H3478 all came to pass. H935
The sons H1121 of Levi; H3878 Gershon, H1648 Kohath, H6955 and Merari. H4847 And the sons H1121 of Kohath; H6955 Amram, H6019 Izhar, H3324 and Hebron, H2275 and Uzziel. H5816
The sons H1121 of Levi; H3878 Gershom, H1647 Kohath, H6955 and Merari. H4847 And these be the names H8034 of the sons H1121 of Gershom; H1647 Libni, H3845 and Shimei. H8096 And the sons H1121 of Kohath H6955 were, Amram, H6019 and Izhar, H3324 and Hebron, H2275 and Uzziel. H5816 The sons H1121 of Merari; H4847 Mahli, H4249 and Mushi. H4187 And these are the families H4940 of the Levites H3881 according to their fathers. H1
And the rulers H8269 of the people H5971 dwelt H3427 at Jerusalem: H3389 the rest H7605 of the people H5971 also cast H5307 lots, H1486 to bring H935 one H259 of ten H6235 to dwell H3427 in Jerusalem H3389 the holy H6944 city, H5892 and nine H8672 parts H3027 to dwell in other cities. H5892 And the people H5971 blessed H1288 all the men, H582 that willingly offered H5068 themselves to dwell H3427 at Jerusalem. H3389 Now these are the chief H7218 of the province H4082 that dwelt H3427 in Jerusalem: H3389 but in the cities H5892 of Judah H3063 dwelt H3427 every one H376 in his possession H272 in their cities, H5892 to wit, Israel, H3478 the priests, H3548 and the Levites, H3881 and the Nethinims, H5411 and the children H1121 of Solomon's H8010 servants. H5650 And at Jerusalem H3389 dwelt H3427 certain of the children H1121 of Judah, H3063 and of the children H1121 of Benjamin. H1144 Of the children H1121 of Judah; H3063 Athaiah H6265 the son H1121 of Uzziah, H5818 the son H1121 of Zechariah, H2148 the son H1121 of Amariah, H568 the son H1121 of Shephatiah, H8203 the son H1121 of Mahalaleel, H4111 of the children H1121 of Perez; H6557 And Maaseiah H4641 the son H1121 of Baruch, H1263 the son H1121 of Colhozeh, H3626 the son H1121 of Hazaiah, H2382 the son H1121 of Adaiah, H5718 the son H1121 of Joiarib, H3114 the son H1121 of Zechariah, H2148 the son H1121 of Shiloni. H8023 All the sons H1121 of Perez H6557 that dwelt H3427 at Jerusalem H3389 were four H702 hundred H3967 threescore H8346 and eight H8083 valiant H2428 men. H582 And these are the sons H1121 of Benjamin; H1144 Sallu H5543 the son H1121 of Meshullam, H4918 the son H1121 of Joed, H3133 the son H1121 of Pedaiah, H6305 the son H1121 of Kolaiah, H6964 the son H1121 of Maaseiah, H4641 the son H1121 of Ithiel, H384 the son H1121 of Jesaiah. H3470 And after H310 him Gabbai, H1373 Sallai, H5543 nine H8672 hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and eight. H8083 And Joel H3100 the son H1121 of Zichri H2147 was their overseer: H6496 and Judah H3063 the son H1121 of Senuah H5574 was second H4932 over the city. H5892 Of the priests: H3548 Jedaiah H3048 the son H1121 of Joiarib, H3114 Jachin. H3199 Seraiah H8304 the son H1121 of Hilkiah, H2518 the son H1121 of Meshullam, H4918 the son H1121 of Zadok, H6659 the son H1121 of Meraioth, H4812 the son H1121 of Ahitub, H285 was the ruler H5057 of the house H1004 of God. H430 And their brethren H251 that did H6213 the work H4399 of the house H1004 were eight H8083 hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and two: H8147 and Adaiah H5718 the son H1121 of Jeroham, H3395 the son H1121 of Pelaliah, H6421 the son H1121 of Amzi, H557 the son H1121 of Zechariah, H2148 the son H1121 of Pashur, H6583 the son H1121 of Malchiah, H4441
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Keil & Delitzsch Commentary » Commentary on Numbers 3
Commentary on Numbers 3 Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
Muster of the Tribe of Levi. - As Jacob had adopted the two sons of Joseph as his own sons, and thus promoted them to the rank of heads of tribes, the tribe of Levi formed, strictly speaking, the thirteenth tribe of the whole nation, and was excepted from the muster of the twelve tribes who were destined to form the army of Jehovah, because God had chosen it for the service of the sanctuary. Out of this tribe God had not only called Moses to be the deliverer, lawgiver, and leader of His people, but Moses' brother Aaron, with the sons of the latter, to be the custodians of the sanctuary. And now, lastly, the whole tribe was chosen, in the place of the first-born of all the tribes, to assist the priests in performing the duties of the sanctuary, and was numbered and mustered for this its special calling.
Numbers 3:1
In order to indicate at the very outset the position which the Levites were to occupy in relation to the priests (viz., Aaron and his descendants), the account of their muster commences not only with the enumeration of the sons of Aaron who were chosen as priests (Numbers 3:2-4), but with the heading: “ These are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day (i.e., at the time) when Jehovah spake with Moses in Mount Sinai (Numbers 3:1). The toledoth (see at Genesis 2:4) of Moses and Aaron are not only the families which sprang from Aaron and Moses, but the Levitical families generally, which were named after Aaron and Moses, because they were both of them raised into the position of heads or spiritual fathers of the whole tribe, namely, at the time when God spoke to Moses upon Sinai. Understood in this way, the notice as to the time is neither a superfluous repetition, nor introduced with reference to the subsequent numbering of the people in the steppes of Moab (Numbers 26:57.). Aaron is placed before Moses here (see at Exodus 6:26.), not merely as being the elder of the two, but because his sons received the priesthood, whilst the sons of Moses, on the contrary, were classed among the rest of the Levitical families (cf. 1 Chronicles 23:14).
Numbers 3:2-4
Names of the sons of Aaron, the “ anointed priests (see Leviticus 8:12), whose hand they filled to be priests, ” i.e., who were appointed to the priesthood (see at Leviticus 7:37). On Nadab and Abihu, see Leviticus 10:1-2. As they had neither of them any children when they were put to death, Eleazar and Ithamar were the only priests “ in the sight of Aaron their father, ” i.e., during his lifetime. “ In the sight of: ” as in Genesis 11:28.
The Levites are placed before Aaron the priest, to be his servants.
Numbers 3:6
“ Bring near: ” as in Exodus 28:1. The expression לפני עמד is frequently met with in connection with the position of a servant, as standing before his master to receive his commands.
Numbers 3:7-8
They were to keep the charge of Aaron and the whole congregation before the tabernacle, to attend to the service of the dwelling, i.e., to observe what Aaron (the priest) and the whole congregation were bound to perform in relation to the service at the dwelling-place of Jehovah. “ To keep the charge: ” see Numbers 1:53 and Genesis 26:5. In Numbers 3:8 this is more fully explained: they were to keep the vessels of the tabernacle, and to attend to all that was binding upon the children of Israel in relation to them, i.e., to take the oversight of the furniture, to keep it safe and clean.
Numbers 3:9
Moses was also to give the Levites to Aaron and his sons. “ They are wholly given to him out of the children of Israel: ” the repetition of נתוּנם here and in Numbers 8:16 is emphatic, and expressive of complete surrender ( Ewald , §313). The Levites, however, as nethunim, must be distinguished from the nethinim of non-Israelitish descent, who were given to the Levites at a later period as temple slaves, to perform the lowest duties connected with the sanctuary (see at Joshua 9:27).
Numbers 3:10
Aaron and his sons were to be appointed by Moses to take charge of the priesthood; as no stranger, no one who was not a son of Aaron, could approach the sanctuary without being put to death (cf. Numbers 1:53 and Leviticus 22:10).
God appointed the Levites for this service, because He had decided to adopt them as His own in the place of all the first-born of Egypt. When He slew the first-born of Egypt, He sanctified to Himself all the first-born of Israel, of man and beast, for His own possession (see Exodus 13:1-2). By virtue of this sanctification, which was founded upon the adoption of the whole nation as His first-born son, the nation was required to dedicate to Him its first-born sons for service at the sanctuary, and sacrifice all the first-born of its cattle to Him. But now the Levites and their cattle were to be adopted in their place, and the first-born sons of Israel to be released in return (Numbers 3:40.). By this arrangement, through which the care of the service at the sanctuary was transferred to one tribe, which would and should henceforth devote itself with undivided interest to this vocation, not only was a more orderly performance of this service secured, than could have been effected through the first-born of all the tribes; but so far as the whole nation was concerned, the fulfilment of its obligations in relation to this service was undoubtedly facilitated. Moreover, the Levites had proved themselves to be the most suitable of all the tribes for his post, through their firm and faithful defence of the honour of the Lord at the worship of the golden calf (Exodus 32:26.). It is in this spirit, which distinguished the tribe of Levi, that we may undoubtedly discover the reason why they were chosen by God for the service of the sanctuary, and not in the fact that Moses and Aaron belonged to the tribe, and desired to form a hierarchical caste of the members of their own tribe, such as was to be found among other nations: the magi, for example, among the Medes, the Chaldeans among the Persians, and the Brahmins among the Indians. יהוה אני לי , “ to Me, to Me, Jehovah ” (Numbers 3:13, Numbers 3:41, and Numbers 3:45; cf. Ges. §121, 3).
The muster of the Levites included all the males from a month old and upwards, because they were to be sanctified to Jehovah in the place of the first-born; and it was at the age of a month that the latter were either to be given up or redeemed (comp. Numbers 3:40 and Numbers 3:43 with Numbers 18:16). In Numbers 3:17-20 the sons of Levi and their sons are enumerated, who were the founders of the mishpachoth among the Levites, as in Exodus 6:16-19.
The Gershonites were divided into two families, containing 7500 males. They were to encamp under their chief Eliasaph, behind the tabernacle, i.e., on the western side (Numbers 3:23, Numbers 3:24), and were to take charge of the dwelling-place and the tent, the covering, the curtain at the entrance, the hangings round the court with the curtains at the door, and the cords of the tent, “ in relation to all the service thereof ” (Numbers 3:25.); that is to say, according to the more precise injunctions in Numbers 4:25-27, they were to carry the tapestry of the dwelling (the inner covering, Exodus 26:1.), and of the tent (i.e., the covering made of goats' hair, Exodus 26:7.), the covering thereof (i.e., the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of sea-cow skin upon the top of it, Exodus 27:16), the hangings of the court and the curtain at the entrance (Exodus 27:9, Exodus 27:16), which surrounded the altar (of burnt-offering) and the dwelling round about, and their cords, i.e., the cords of the tapestry, coverings, and curtains (Exodus 27:14), and all the instruments of their service, i.e., the things used in connection with their service ( Exodus 27:19), and were to attend to everything that had to be done to them; in other words, to perform whatever was usually done with those portions of the sanctuary that are mentioned here, especially in setting up the tabernacle or taking it down. The suffix in מיתריו (Numbers 3:26) does not refer to the court mentioned immediately before; for, according to Numbers 3:37, the Merarites were to carry the cords of the hangings of the court, but to the “dwelling and tent,” which stand farther off. In the same way the words, “ for all the service thereof, ” refer to all those portions of the sanctuary that are mentioned, and mean “everything that had to be done or attended to in connection with these things.”
The Kohathites , who were divided into four families, and numbered 8600, were to encamp on the south side of the tabernacle, and more especially to keep the charge of the sanctuary (Numbers 3:28), viz., to take care of the ark of the covenant, the table (of shew-bread), the candlestick, the altars (of incense and burnt-offering), with the holy things required for the service performed in connection therewith, and the curtain (the veil before the most holy place), and to perform whatever had to be done (“all the service thereof,” see at Numbers 3:26), i.e., to carry the said holy things after they had been rolled up in covers by the priests (see Numbers 4:5.).
As the priests also formed part of the Kohathites, their chief is mentioned as well, viz., Eleazar the eldest son of Aaron the high priest, who was placed over the chiefs of the three Levitical families, and called פּקדּה , oversight of the keepers of the charge of the sanctuary, ” i.e., authority, superior, of the servants of the sanctuary.
The Merarites , who formed two families, comprising 6200 males, were to encamp on the north side of the tabernacle, under their prince Zuriel , and to observe the boards, bolts, pillars, and sockets of the dwelling-place ( Exodus 26:15, Exodus 26:26, Exodus 26:32, Exodus 26:37), together with all the vessels thereof (the plugs and tools), and all that had to be done in connection therewith, also the pillars of the court with their sockets, the plugs and the cords (Exodus 27:10, Exodus 27:19; Exodus 35:18); that is to say, they were to take charge of these when the tabernacle was taken down, to carry them on the march, and to fix them when the tabernacle was set up again (Numbers 4:31-32).
Moses and Aaron, with the sons of the latter (the priests), were to encamp in front, before the tabernacle, viz., on the eastern side, “ as keepers of the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel, ” i.e., to attend to everything that was binding upon the children of Israel in relation to the care of the sanctuary, as no stranger was allowed to approach it on pain of death (see Numbers 1:51).
Numbers 3:39
The number of the Levites mustered, 22,000, does not agree with the numbers assigned to the three families, as 7500 + 8600 + 6200 = 22,300. But the total is correct; for, according to Numbers 3:46, the number of the first-born, 22,273, exceeded the total number of the Levites by 273. The attempt made by the Rabbins and others to reconcile the two, by supposing the 300 Levites in excess to be themselves first-born, who were omitted in the general muster, because they were not qualified to represent the first-born of the other tribes, is evidently forced and unsatisfactory. The whole account is so circumstantial, that such a fact as this would never have been omitted. We must rather assume that there is a copyist's error in the number of one of the Levitical families; possibly in Numbers 3:28 we should read שׁלשׁ for שׁשׁ (8300 for 8600). The puncta extraordinaria above ואהרן are intended to indicate that this word is either suspicious or spurious (see at Genesis 33:5); and it is actually omitted in Sam ., Syr ., and 12 MSS, but without sufficient reason: for although the divine command to muster the Levites (Numbers 3:5 and Numbers 3:14) was addressed to Moses alone, yet if we compare Numbers 4:1, Numbers 4:34, Numbers 4:37, Numbers 4:41, Numbers 4:45, where the Levites qualified for service are said to have been mustered by Moses and Aaron, and still more Numbers 4:46, where the elders of Israel are said to have taken part in the numbering of the Levites as well as in that of the twelve tribes (Numbers 1:3-4), there can be no reason to doubt that Aaron also took part in the mustering of the whole of the Levites, for the purpose of adoption in the place of the first-born of Israel; and no suspicion attaches to this introduction of his name in Numbers 3:39, although it is not mentioned in Numbers 3:5, Numbers 3:11, Numbers 3:14, Numbers 3:40, and Numbers 3:44.
After this, Moses numbered the first-born of the children of Israel, to exchange them for the Levites according to the command of God, which is repeated in Numbers 3:41 and Numbers 3:44-45 from Numbers 3:11-13, and to adopt the latter in their stead for the service at the sanctuary (on Numbers 3:41 and Numbers 3:45, cf. Numbers 3:11-13). The number of the first-born of the twelve tribes amounted to 22,273 of a month old and upwards (Numbers 3:43). Of this number 22,000 were exchanged for the 22,000 Levites, and the cattle of the Levites were also set against the first-born of the cattle of the tribes of Israel, though without their being numbered and exchanged head for head. In Numbers 3:44 and Numbers 3:45 the command of God concerning the adoption of the Levites is repeated, for the purpose of adding the further instructions with regard to the 273, the number by which the first-born of the tribes exceeded those of the Levites. “ And as for the redemption of the 273 (lit., the 273 to be redeemed) of the first-born of the children of Israel which were more than the Levites, thou shalt take five shekels a head, ” etc. This was the general price established by the law for the redemption of the first-born of men (see Numbers 18:16). On the sacred shekel, see at Exodus 30:13. The redemption money for 273 first-born, in all 1365 shekels, was to be paid to Aaron and his sons as compensation for the persons who properly belonged to Jehovah, and had been appointed as first-born for the service of the priests.
“ The redeemed of the Levites ” are the 22,000 who were redeemed by means of the Levites. In Numbers 3:50, the Chethibh הפּדים is the correct reading, and the Keri הפּדים an unnecessary emendation. The number of the first-born and that of the Levites has already been noticed in the introduction to Numbers 1.