Numbers 1:49 Study Bible: "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, neither shall you take a census of them among the children of Israel;

◄ Numbers 1:49 ►

"Do not number the tribe of Levi in the census with the other Israelites.

Do not number the tribe of Levi
The Levites were set apart for specific religious duties and were not to be included in the general census of the Israelites. This separation underscores their unique role as priests and caretakers of the tabernacle. The Levites' exclusion from the census highlights their consecration to God, as seen in Exodus 32:26-29, where they stood with Moses during the golden calf incident. This distinction foreshadows the New Testament concept of believers as a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), set apart for God's service.

in the census
The census was primarily for military purposes, counting men able to go to war (Numbers 1:3). The Levites, however, were exempt from military service, emphasizing their dedication to spiritual rather than physical battles. This separation illustrates the principle that God's work requires different roles and functions, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, where various gifts are given for the common good.

with the other Israelites
The Levites' exclusion from the census with the other tribes signifies their distinct position among the Israelites. While the other tribes were counted for war, the Levites were counted separately for their service in the tabernacle (Numbers 3:15). This distinction is a reminder of the diverse roles within the body of Christ, where each member has a unique function (Romans 12:4-8). The Levites' role also points to Christ, our High Priest, who mediates between God and humanity (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. He is responsible for conducting the census as instructed by God.

2. The Tribe of Levi
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, set apart for specific religious duties and not included in the military census. Their role was primarily spiritual and priestly.

3. The Census
A divinely commanded counting of the Israelite men able to go to war, excluding the Levites, to organize the community for their journey and battles ahead.

4. The Wilderness
The setting for the events of Numbers, where the Israelites wandered for 40 years after their exodus from Egypt, learning to trust and obey God.

5. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the presence of God among His people, which the Levites were responsible for maintaining and transporting.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Obedience
God's instructions to Moses were specific and purposeful. Obedience to God's commands, even when they seem unusual, is crucial for His plans to unfold.

The Role of the Levites
The Levites were set apart for a holy purpose, reminding us that God calls each of us to specific roles within His kingdom. We should seek to understand and fulfill our God-given roles.

Spiritual Priorities Over Worldly Duties
The exclusion of the Levites from the military census highlights the priority of spiritual responsibilities over worldly tasks. We must prioritize our spiritual duties and service to God.

God's Sovereign Choice
God's selection of the Levites underscores His sovereignty in choosing whom He wills for His purposes. We should trust in His wisdom and timing in our lives.

Bible Study Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to exclude the Levites from the military census, and what does this teach us about the nature of their service?

2. How can we apply the principle of being "set apart" in our daily lives as believers today?

3. In what ways does the role of the Levites in the Old Testament parallel the role of believers as described in 1 Peter 2:9?

4. How can we ensure that we are obedient to God's specific instructions in our lives, even when they may not align with societal norms or expectations?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt God was calling you to a specific role or task. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 32
The Levites' loyalty to God during the incident of the golden calf, which set them apart for priestly service.

Deuteronomy 10:8-9
Further explanation of the Levites' role and inheritance, emphasizing their unique position among the tribes of Israel.

1 Peter 2:9
The New Testament concept of believers as a "royal priesthood," drawing a parallel to the Levites' distinct role in the Old Testament.

Sermons

Differences of Administrations in the Service of God	E.S. Prout	Numbers 1:45-50
The Appointment of the Levites to be the Sacred Tribe	W. Binnie	Numbers 1:47-54
The Levites and Their Service an Illustration of the Christian Ministry	W. Jones.	Numbers 1:47-54
The Levites not Numbered	W. Attersoll.	Numbers 1:47-54

People

Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gideoni, Helon, Israelites, Issachar, Joseph, Levi, Levites, Manasseh, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, Zurishaddai

Places

Egypt, Sinai

Topics

Census, Howbeit, Include, Israelites, Levi, Midst, Numbered, Sons, Sum, Tribe

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Numbers 1:1-49

5249 census

Numbers 1:47-53

7266 tribes of Israel

Numbers 1:48-53

7390 Levites

Library

The Consolation
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received at the LORD 's hand double for all her sins. T he particulars of the great "mystery of godliness," as enumerated by the Apostle Paul, constitute the grand and inexhaustible theme of the Gospel ministry, "God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Child-Life in Nazareth
THE stay of the Holy Family in Egypt must have been of brief duration. The cup of Herod's misdeeds, but also of his misery, was full. During the whole latter part of his life, the dread of a rival to the throne had haunted him, and he had sacrificed thousands, among them those nearest and dearest to him, to lay that ghost. [1084] And still the tyrant was not at rest. A more terrible scene is not presented in history than that of the closing days of Herod. Tormented by nameless fears; ever and again …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Genealogy According to Luke.
^C Luke III. 23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself], when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's service--Num. iv. 46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son [this may mean that Jesus was grandson of Heli, or that Joseph was counted as a son of Heli because he was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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