NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 3:1__ The two censuses of Levites count
different groups. The first (Numbers 3:1) counts every male Levite
over one month old. The male Levites took the place of the firstborn
males of the other tribes to serve the Lord, so the first census
ensures that the number of the Levi... [ Continue Reading ]
NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 3:5 The two main tasks of the Levites were
(1) guarding the tabernacle from intruders and (2) ministering AT THE
TABERNACLE (which included carrying it from place to place).
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NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 3:11 In the final plague, every FIRSTBORN
male Egyptian and every firstborn of their cattle died, but the
Israelite boys and cattle were spared. After this, all Israelite
firstborn boys and cattle were dedicated to God. That meant the cattle
were sacrificed and the boys shoul... [ Continue Reading ]
NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 3:14 The census results are listed by clan.
Each clan is responsible for carrying a specific part of the
tabernacle and for guarding a specific side of the tabernacle. The
total number of Levites (v. Numbers 3:39) is 22,000, which is 300 less
than the sum of the individual Le... [ Continue Reading ]
NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 3:43 ALL THE FIRSTBORN MALES... WERE 22,273.
If the total population was over 2 million, then this number would
represent only firstborn males born since the exodus. Other
interpreters understand this figure as the total of all the firstborn
in Israel, which would indicate a... [ Continue Reading ]
NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 3:46 The census showed that there were 273
fewer LEVITES than FIRSTBORN males in the other tribes. To redeem
these 273 Israelites who had no Levite to take their place, FIVE
SHEKELS per person had to be paid (see Leviticus 27:6). This would
have been about a year’s pay for a... [ Continue Reading ]