Numbers 2:33
New International Version
The Levites, however, were not counted along with the other Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.

New Living Translation
But as the LORD had commanded, the Levites were not included in this registration.

English Standard Version
But the Levites were not listed among the people of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Berean Standard Bible
But the Levites were not counted among the other Israelites, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

King James Bible
But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.

New King James Version
But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel, just as the LORD commanded Moses.

New American Standard Bible
The Levites, however, were not counted among the sons of Israel, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

NASB 1995
The Levites, however, were not numbered among the sons of Israel, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

NASB 1977
The Levites, however, were not numbered among the sons of Israel, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Legacy Standard Bible
The Levites, however, were not numbered among the sons of Israel, just as Yahweh had commanded Moses.

Amplified Bible
But the Levites were not numbered with the [other] Israelites, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Christian Standard Bible
But the Levites were not registered among the Israelites, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the Levites were not registered among the Israelites, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

American Standard Version
But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

Contemporary English Version
The only Israelites not included were the Levites, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

English Revised Version
But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As the LORD had commanded Moses, the Levites were not registered along with the other Israelites.

Good News Translation
As the LORD had commanded Moses, the Levites were not registered with the rest of the Israelites.

International Standard Version
but the descendants of Levi were not numbered along with the other Israelis, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Majority Standard Bible
But the Levites were not counted among the other Israelites, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

NET Bible
But the Levites were not numbered among the other Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.

New Heart English Bible
But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.

World English Bible
But the Levites were not counted among the children of Israel, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the Levites have not numbered themselves in the midst of the sons of Israel, as YHWH has commanded Moses.

Young's Literal Translation
And the Levites have not numbered themselves in the midst of the sons of Israel, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the Levites were not reviewed in the midst of the sons of Israel; as Jehovah commanded Moses.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel: for so the Lord had commanded Moses.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the Levites were not numbered among the sons of Israel. For so the Lord had instructed Moses.

New American Bible
The Levites, however, were not enrolled with the other Israelites, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

New Revised Standard Version
Just as the LORD had commanded Moses, the Levites were not enrolled among the other Israelites.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the Levites and the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Levites and the rod of their fathers shall not be counted among the children of Israel as LORD JEHOVAH commanded Moshe."
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But the Levites were not numbered with them, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Order of the Camps
32These are the Israelites, numbered according to their families. The total of those counted in the camps, by their divisions, was 603,550. 33But the Levites were not counted among the other Israelites, as the LORD had commanded Moses. 34So the Israelites did everything the LORD commanded Moses; they camped under their standards in this way and set out in the same way, each man with his clan and his family.…

Cross References
Numbers 1:47-54
The Levites, however, were not numbered along with them by the tribe of their fathers. / For the LORD had said to Moses: / “Do not number the tribe of Levi in the census with the other Israelites. ...

Numbers 3:5-13
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. / They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle. ...

Numbers 18:20-24
Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. / Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. / No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. ...

Deuteronomy 10:8-9
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day. / That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him.

Joshua 13:14
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.

Joshua 13:33
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, just as He had promised them.

1 Chronicles 6:49-53
But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the Most Holy Place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. / These were the descendants of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, / Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, ...

1 Chronicles 23:13
The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.

Ezekiel 44:28
In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

Hebrews 7:12-14
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well. / He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. / For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.

Hebrews 9:6-10
When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. / By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. ...

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Revelation 1:6
who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

Revelation 5:10
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”


Treasury of Scripture

But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers 1:47-49
But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them…

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Children Commanded Counted However Israel Israelites Midst Moses Numbered Themselves
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Children Commanded Counted However Israel Israelites Midst Moses Numbered Themselves
Numbers 2
1. The order of the tribes in their tents.














But the Levites were not counted among the other Israelites
The Levites held a unique position among the tribes of Israel. Unlike the other tribes, they were set apart for religious duties and service in the Tabernacle. This distinction is rooted in their role as the priestly tribe, chosen by God to perform sacred functions. Their separation from the census of the other tribes underscores their special status and responsibilities. This exclusion from the military census highlights their primary duty to spiritual service rather than warfare, emphasizing the importance of worship and the presence of God among His people.

as the LORD had commanded Moses
This phrase underscores the divine authority behind the organization and roles within the Israelite community. The command from the LORD to Moses reflects the theocratic nature of Israel's governance, where God directly instructs His chosen leader. This divine commandment is consistent with the broader biblical narrative where God provides specific instructions for worship, community organization, and leadership. It also points to the obedience required of Moses and the Israelites, serving as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people. Moses' adherence to God's command is a model of faithful leadership and submission to divine will.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Levites
A tribe set apart for religious duties and service to the Tabernacle. They were not included in the military census of Israel.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. He received direct commands from God regarding the organization of the tribes.

3. Israelites
The descendants of Jacob, also known as the children of Israel, who were organized into tribes during their journey to the Promised Land.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who gave specific instructions regarding the organization and roles of the tribes.

5. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence of God among the Israelites, where the Levites served.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The Levites' exclusion from the census was a direct command from God. This highlights the importance of obedience to God's specific instructions, even when they differ from societal norms.

Set Apart for Service
The Levites were set apart for a unique purpose. As believers, we are also called to be set apart for God's service, using our gifts and talents for His glory.

God's Sovereign Choice
God's selection of the Levites reminds us of His sovereignty in choosing individuals and groups for specific roles. We should trust His wisdom and timing in our own lives.

Spiritual Inheritance
Just as the Levites' inheritance was the LORD, believers today are called to find their ultimate inheritance and satisfaction in God, rather than in earthly possessions.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the Levites
וְהַ֨לְוִיִּ֔ם (wə·hal·wî·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

were not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

counted
הָתְפָּקְד֔וּ (hā·ṯə·pā·qə·ḏū)
Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

among
בְּת֖וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

the other Israelites,
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

had commanded
צִוָּ֥ה (ṣiw·wāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

Moses.
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver


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OT Law: Numbers 2:33 But the Levites were not numbered among (Nu Num.)
Numbers 2:32
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