Numbers 4:22
New International Version
“Take a census also of the Gershonites by their families and clans.

New Living Translation
“Record the names of the members of the clans and families of the Gershonite division of the tribe of Levi.

English Standard Version
“Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ houses and by their clans.

Berean Standard Bible
“Take a census of the Gershonites as well, by their families and clans,

King James Bible
Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;

New King James Version
“Also take a census of the sons of Gershon, by their fathers’ house, by their families.

New American Standard Bible
“Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ households, by their families;

NASB 1995
“Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ households, by their families;

NASB 1977
“Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ households, by their families;

Legacy Standard Bible
“Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ households, by their families;

Amplified Bible
“Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ households, by their families.

Christian Standard Bible
“Take a census of the Gershonites also, by their ancestral families and their clans.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Take a census of the Gershonites also, by their ancestral houses and their clans.

American Standard Version
Take the sum of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers' houses, by their families;

English Revised Version
Take the sum of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers' houses, by their families;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Also take a census of the Gershonites. List them by households and families.

Good News Translation
to take a census of the Levite clan of Gershon by subclans and families,

International Standard Version
"Take a census of the descendants of Gershon according to their ancestral house and tribes.

Majority Standard Bible
?Take a census of the Gershonites as well, by their families and clans,

NET Bible
"Also take a census of the Gershonites, by their clans and by their families.

New Heart English Bible
"Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers' houses, by their families;

Webster's Bible Translation
Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the house of their fathers, by their families;

World English Bible
“Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ houses, by their families;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Also take a census of the sons of Gershon by the house of their fathers, by their families;

Young's Literal Translation
'Take up the sum of the sons of Gershon also by the house of their fathers, by their families;

Smith's Literal Translation
Take the head of the sons of Gershon, them also according to the house of their fathers, according to their families;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Take the sum of the soils of Gerson also by their houses and families and kindreds.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Now also take a total of the sons of Gershon, by their houses and families and kinships,

New American Bible
Take a census of the Gershonites also, by ancestral houses and clans,

New Revised Standard Version
Take a census of the Gershonites also, by their ancestral houses and by their clans;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families:

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Take an accounting of the sons of Gershun, also of the house of their fathers for their tribes.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Take the sum of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers' houses, by their families;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Take the sum of the children of Gedson, and these according to the houses of their lineage, according to their families.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Duties of the Gershonites
21And the LORD said to Moses, 22“Take a census of the Gershonites as well, by their families and clans, 23from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.…

Cross References
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 3:15
“Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.”

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 26:2
“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers—all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.”

1 Chronicles 23:3-24
The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000. / “Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges, / 4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.” ...

Exodus 30:12-14
“When you take a census of the Israelites to number them, each man must pay the LORD a ransom for his life when he is counted. Then no plague will come upon them when they are numbered. / Everyone who crosses over to those counted must pay a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD. / Everyone twenty years of age or older who crosses over must give this offering to the LORD.

Leviticus 27:3
if the valuation concerns a male from twenty to sixty years of age, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel.

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 3:8
In the second month of the second year after they had arrived at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, and the rest of their associates including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began the work. They appointed Levites twenty years of age or older to supervise the construction of the house of the LORD.

Nehemiah 7:5
Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. I found the genealogical register of those who had first returned, and I found the following written in it:

Luke 2:36-37
There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, / and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Acts 4:4
But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

Acts 5:14
Yet more and more believers were brought to the Lord—large numbers of both men and women.

Acts 6:7
So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 21:20
When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.


Treasury of Scripture

Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;

Numbers 3:18,21,24
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei…

Jump to Previous
Census Clans Families Fathers Gershon Gershonites House Households Houses Numbered Order Sum Throughout
Jump to Next
Census Clans Families Fathers Gershon Gershonites House Households Houses Numbered Order Sum Throughout
Numbers 4
1. The age at which the Levites were to serve, and the duration of the service
4. The duty of the Kohathites
16. The charge of Eleazar
17. The office of the priests
21. The duty of the Gershonites
29. Of the Merarites
34. The number of the Kohathites
38. Of the Gershonites
42. And of the Merarites














Take a census of the Gershonites as well,
In the context of the Book of Numbers, God commands Moses to take a census of the Levite clans. The Gershonites are one of the three main divisions of the Levites, alongside the Kohathites and the Merarites. This census is part of a broader organizational structure for the Israelites as they prepare to move through the wilderness. The census serves both a practical and spiritual purpose, ensuring that each clan knows its responsibilities in the service of the Tabernacle. The act of taking a census is significant in biblical history, often symbolizing God's care and order among His people.

by their families and clans,
The mention of "families and clans" highlights the importance of family lineage and tribal identity in ancient Israelite society. Each clan within the tribe of Levi had specific roles and duties related to the Tabernacle, and these were passed down through generations. This structure ensured that the sacred duties were carried out with precision and reverence. The emphasis on family and clan also reflects the communal nature of Israelite life, where identity and responsibility were closely tied to one's family group. This organization is seen throughout the Old Testament, where genealogies and tribal affiliations play a crucial role in the narrative and legal structures of Israel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Gershon
Gershon was the firstborn son of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. The Gershonites were one of the three main Levitical clans responsible for the care of the tabernacle and its furnishings during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness.

2. Levi
Levi was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, and his descendants, the Levites, were set apart for religious duties. The tribe of Levi did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes but was given cities and the responsibility of serving in the tabernacle.

3. Census
The census mentioned in this verse was a counting of the Levites, specifically the Gershonites, to determine those who were eligible for service in the tabernacle. This was part of a larger organizational effort to ensure the proper functioning of the tabernacle.

4. Tabernacle
The tabernacle was the portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites. It was a central place of worship and sacrifice during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

5. Wilderness Journey
This event takes place during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The organization and duties of the Levites were crucial for maintaining the tabernacle and the worship of God during this time.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Order in Worship
God is a God of order, and the organization of the Levites, including the census of the Gershonites, reflects the importance of structure in worship and service. This teaches us to approach our worship and service with intentionality and reverence.

Every Role Matters
The specific duties assigned to the Gershonites highlight that every role in God's service is significant. Whether visible or behind the scenes, each task contributes to the greater purpose of glorifying God.

Faithfulness in Service
The Gershonites were entrusted with specific responsibilities, reminding us of the importance of being faithful in whatever God has called us to do. Our faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater responsibilities.

Community and Cooperation
The census and organization of the Levites demonstrate the need for community and cooperation in fulfilling God's purposes. We are called to work together, using our diverse gifts for the common good.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Take a census
נָשֹׂ֗א (nā·śō)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

of the Gershonites
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

as well,
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

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

and their clans,
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃ (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


Links
Numbers 4:22 NIV
Numbers 4:22 NLT
Numbers 4:22 ESV
Numbers 4:22 NASB
Numbers 4:22 KJV

Numbers 4:22 BibleApps.com
Numbers 4:22 Biblia Paralela
Numbers 4:22 Chinese Bible
Numbers 4:22 French Bible
Numbers 4:22 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Numbers 4:22 Take a census of the sons (Nu Num.)
Numbers 4:21
Top of Page
Top of Page