Numbers 3:15
New International Version
“Count the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more.”

New Living Translation
“Record the names of the members of the tribe of Levi by their families and clans. List every male who is one month old or older.”

English Standard Version
“List the sons of Levi, by fathers’ houses and by clans; every male from a month old and upward you shall list.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.”

King James Bible
Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.

New King James Version
“Number the children of Levi by their fathers’ houses, by their families; you shall number every male from a month old and above.”

New American Standard Bible
“Count the sons of Levi by their fathers’ households, by their families; every male from a month old and upward you shall count.”

NASB 1995
“Number the sons of Levi by their fathers’ households, by their families; every male from a month old and upward you shall number.”

NASB 1977
“Number the sons of Levi by their fathers’ households, by their families; every male from a month old and upward you shall number.”

Legacy Standard Bible
“Number the sons of Levi by their fathers’ households, by their families; every male from a month old and upward you shall number.”

Amplified Bible
“Number the sons of Levi by their fathers’ households, by their families (clans). You shall number every male from a month old and upward.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Register the Levites by their ancestral families and their clans. You are to register every male one month old or more.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Register the Levites by their ancestral houses and their clans. You are to register every male one month old or more.”

American Standard Version
Number the children of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.

Contemporary English Version
"Now I want you to count the men and boys in the Levi tribe by families and by clans. Include every one at least a month old."

English Revised Version
Number the children of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Count the Levites by households and families. Count every male who is at least one month old."

Good News Translation
to register the Levites by clans and families, enrolling every male a month old or older,

International Standard Version
"Number the descendants of Levi according to their ancestral houses and tribes, numbering every male from a month old and above."

Majority Standard Bible
“Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.”

NET Bible
"Number the Levites by their clans and their families; every male from a month old and upward you are to number."

New Heart English Bible
"Count the descendants of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families. You shall count every male from a month old and upward."

Webster's Bible Translation
Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.

World English Bible
“Count the children of Levi by their fathers’ houses, by their families. You shall count every male from a month old and upward.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Number the sons of Levi by the house of their fathers, by their families; every male from a son of a month and upward—you number them.”

Young's Literal Translation
'Number the sons of Levi by the house of their fathers, by their families; every male from a son of a month and upward thou dost number them.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Review the sons of Levi according to the house of their fathers, according to their families: every male from the son of a month and above shalt thou review them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Number the sons of Levi by the houses of their fathers and their families, every male from one month and upward.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Number the sons of Levi by the houses of their fathers and their families, every male from one month and above.”

New American Bible
Enroll the Levites by their ancestral houses and clans, enrolling every male of a month or more.

New Revised Standard Version
Enroll the Levites by ancestral houses and by clans. You shall enroll every male from a month old and upward.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families; every male from a month old and upward, you shall number them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Count the sons of Levi for the house of their fathers by their families; you shall count them, every male from a son of a month and above.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Number the children of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families; every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Take the number of the sons of Levi, according to the houses of their families, according to their divisions; number ye them every male from a month old and upwards.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Registration of the Levites
14Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying, 15“Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.” 16So Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he had been commanded.…

Cross References
Exodus 12:37
The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children.

Exodus 38:26
a beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years of age or older who had crossed over to be numbered, a total of 603,550 men.

Numbers 1:2-3
“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. / You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army.

Numbers 1:47-50
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 4:2-3
“Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families, / men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.

Numbers 8:24-26
“This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years of age or older shall enter to perform the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting. / But at the age of fifty, they must retire from performing the work and no longer serve. / After that, they may assist their brothers in fulfilling their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves are not to do the work. This is how you are to assign responsibilities to the Levites.”

Numbers 26:62
The registration of the Levites totaled 23,000, every male a month old or more; they were not numbered among the other Israelites, because no inheritance was given to them among the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 10:8
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.

1 Chronicles 23:24-27
These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD. / For David had said, “The LORD, the God of Israel, has given rest to His people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever. / So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.” ...

1 Chronicles 23:3
The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000.

1 Chronicles 23:24
These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 24:3-5
With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. / Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than those of Ithamar, they were divided accordingly. There were sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar and eight from the descendants of Ithamar. / Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants.

2 Chronicles 31:17
and to the priests enrolled according to their families in the genealogy, as well as to the Levites twenty years of age or older, according to their responsibilities and divisions.

Ezra 8:15
Now I assembled these exiles at the canal that flows to Ahava, and we camped there three days. And when I searched among the people and priests, I found no Levites there.

Nehemiah 7:63-65
And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). / These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. / The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.


Treasury of Scripture

Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shall you number them.

Numbers 3:22,28,34,39,40,43
Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred…

Numbers 18:15,16
Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem…

Numbers 26:62
And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.

Jump to Previous
Children Clans Count Families Fathers House Households Houses Levi Male Month Numbered Upward
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Children Clans Count Families Fathers House Households Houses Levi Male Month Numbered Upward
Numbers 3
1. The sons of Aaron
5. The Levites are given to the priests instead of the firstborn
14. Are numbered by their families
21. The families, number, and charge of the Gershonites
27. Of the Kohathites
33. Of the Merarites
38. The place and charge of Moses and Aaron
40. The firstborn are freed by the Levites
44. The balances are refunded














Number the Levites
The directive to "number" the Levites is significant in the context of the Israelites' journey and their relationship with God. The Hebrew word used here is "paqad," which means to count, muster, or appoint. This is not merely a census for statistical purposes but a divine appointment, emphasizing the Levites' special role in the service of the Tabernacle. Historically, the Levites were set apart for religious duties, and this numbering underscores their unique position among the tribes of Israel. It reflects God's order and structure within His chosen people, highlighting the importance of each individual's role in the community of faith.

by their families
The phrase "by their families" indicates the importance of family lineage and heritage in the Israelite community. The Hebrew word "mishpachah" refers to a clan or family group, emphasizing the communal and familial nature of Israelite society. This method of organization ensured that the Levites' service was not only a personal calling but also a family responsibility, passed down through generations. It reflects the biblical principle of generational faithfulness and the transmission of spiritual duties and blessings from one generation to the next.

and by their clans
The term "clans" is translated from the Hebrew word "beyt avot," meaning "house of fathers." This further emphasizes the patriarchal structure of Israelite society, where family identity and inheritance were traced through the male lineage. The Levites' organization by clans highlights the importance of maintaining family ties and responsibilities within the broader community. It also underscores the idea that spiritual service and leadership are deeply rooted in one's family and community identity, reinforcing the interconnectedness of faith and family.

You are to number every male
The instruction to number "every male" reflects the cultural and religious context of ancient Israel, where males were typically responsible for religious and communal leadership. The focus on males in this context is not to diminish the role of women but to align with the societal norms of the time, where men were primarily tasked with public religious duties. This directive also points to the idea of accountability and responsibility within the community, as each male Levite was expected to contribute to the service of the Tabernacle.

a month old or more
The specification of "a month old or more" is intriguing, as it indicates that even the youngest members of the Levite families were counted and considered part of the community's spiritual service. This early inclusion signifies the lifelong dedication expected of the Levites and the recognition of their potential role in the service of God from a very young age. It also highlights the sanctity of life and the value placed on each individual within the community, regardless of age, as part of God's divine plan and purpose.

(15) From a month old and upward . . . --The males of the other tribes had been numbered "from twenty years old and upward" (Numbers 1:3). The firstborn males, however, among all the children of Israel, in whose place the Levites were taken, wer-directed to be numbered "from a month old and upward" (Numbers 3:40; Numbers 3:43); and this was the age afterwards fixed for their redemption (Numbers 18:16).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Register
פְּקֹד֙ (pə·qōḏ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

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

by their families
אֲבֹתָ֖ם (’ă·ḇō·ṯām)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

and clans.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם (lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

You are to count
תִּפְקְדֵֽם׃ (tip̄·qə·ḏêm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

male
זָכָ֛ר (zā·ḵār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2145: Remembered, a male

a month old
מִבֶּן־ (mib·ben-)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

or more.”
וָמַ֖עְלָה (wā·ma‘·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605: The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top


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OT Law: Numbers 3:15 Count the children of Levi by their (Nu Num.)
Numbers 3:14
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