Lexical Summary Mushi: Mushites Original Word: מוּשִׁי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mushites Patronymical from Muwshiy; a Mushite (collectively) or descendants of Mushi -- Mushites. see HEBREW Muwshiy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Mushi Definition desc. of Mushi NASB Translation Mushites (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. מוּשִׁי adjective, of a people with article as collective noun ׳מִשְׁמַּחַת הַמ Numbers 3:33; Numbers 26:58. [מוֺשָׁעָה], מוֺשָׁעוֺת see ישׁע. Topical Lexicon Genealogical Placement Mushi is presented in the Pentateuch as one of the two sons of Merari, the youngest son of Levi (Numbers 3:20; 1 Chronicles 23:21). His descendants are consistently called “the Mushites,” a distinct Levitical clan listed alongside the Mahlites (Numbers 3:33; Numbers 26:58). This line therefore stands as a third-generation branch of the tribe of Levi: Levi → Merari → Mushi. Census and Camp Arrangement in the Wilderness During the Sinai census the Mushites were counted within the Merarite total of 6,200 males aged one month and upward (Numbers 3:34). Their camp location was on the north side of the tabernacle, opposite the Gershonites, providing balance to the Levitical perimeter that guarded the sacred center (Numbers 3:35). Scripture underlines their identity: “From Merari came the clan of the Mahlites and the clan of the Mushites; these were the Merarite clans” (Numbers 3:33). Tabernacle Responsibilities All Merarites, including the Mushites, were charged with the heaviest structural elements of the tabernacle—frames, crossbars, posts, bases, tent pegs, and ropes (Numbers 4:29-33). In transport they received four wagons and eight oxen, a provision exceeding that of the Gershonites because of the weight of their load (Numbers 7:8). This practical allocation of resources highlights the principle that God equips each ministry according to its specific calling. Historical Continuity after Sinai A second wilderness census confirmed the Mushite clan’s endurance (Numbers 26:58), bridging the exodus generation and the one that would enter Canaan. Subsequent historical references show the line still active in the monarchy period: David’s reorganization of Levites lists “Mushi” alongside his brother “Mahli” (1 Chronicles 23:21-23; 24:26-30). This continuity testifies to divine preservation of priestly service through centuries of national fluctuation. Theological Reflections 1. Servant Identity: The Mushites illustrate that significance in God’s economy is not tied to public visibility but to faithful execution of assigned work. Their labor was largely unseen—setting up sockets, poles, and cords—yet indispensable for Israel’s worship. Ministry Applications Today • Value “infrastructure” ministry—administration, logistics, maintenance—just as Israel’s worship depended on Mushite diligence. Key References Numbers 3:33; Numbers 3:36-37; Numbers 4:29-33; Numbers 7:8; Numbers 26:58; 1 Chronicles 23:21-23; 1 Chronicles 24:26-30 Forms and Transliterations הַמּוּשִׁ֑י הַמּוּשִׁ֔י המושי ham·mū·šî hammuShi hammūšîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 3:33 HEB: הַמַּחְלִ֔י וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַמּוּשִׁ֑י אֵ֥לֶּה הֵ֖ם NAS: and the family of the Mushites; these KJV: and the family of the Mushites: these [are] the families INT: of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites these like Numbers 26:58 2 Occurrences |
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