The Levites were counted from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand.
Parallel Translations
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The Levites were counted from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand.
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Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.
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And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.
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Contradictions (1)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (2)
Passages linked to 1 Chronicles 23:3 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- 1 Chronicles 23:24 These were the sons of Levi after their fathers’ houses, even the heads of the fathers’ houses of those who were counted individually, in the number of names by their polls, who did the work for the service of Yahweh’s house, from twenty years old and upward.
- Numbers 4:2-49 “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all who enter into the service to do the work in the Tent of Meeting. “This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting, regarding the most holy things. When the camp moves forward, Aaron shall go in with his sons; and they shall take down the veil of the screen, cover the ark of the Testimony with it, put a covering of sealskin on it, spread a blue cloth over it, and put in its poles. “On the table of show bread they shall spread a blue cloth, and put on it the dishes, the spoons, the bowls, and the cups with which to pour out; and the continual bread shall be on it. They shall spread on them a scarlet cloth, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in its poles. “They shall take a blue cloth and cover the lamp stand of the light, its lamps, its snuffers, its snuff dishes, and all its oil vessels, with which they minister to it. They shall put it and all its vessels within a covering of sealskin, and shall put it on the frame. “On the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in its poles. “They shall take all the vessels of ministry with which they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put them on the frame. “They shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth on it. They shall put on it all its vessels with which they minister about it, the fire pans, the meat hooks, the shovels, and the basins—all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread on it a covering of sealskin, and put in its poles. “When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp moves forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to carry it; but they shall not touch the sanctuary, lest they die. The sons of Kohath shall carry these things belonging to the Tent of Meeting. “The duty of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be the oil for the light, the sweet incense, the continual meal offering, and the anointing oil, the requirements of all the tabernacle, and of all that is in it, the sanctuary, and its furnishings.” Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, “Don’t cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites; but thus do to them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint everyone to his service and to his burden; but they shall not go in to see the sanctuary even for a moment, lest they die.” Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ houses, by their families; you shall count them from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old: all who enter in to wait on the service, to do the work in the Tent of Meeting. “This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens: they shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the Tent of Meeting, its covering, the covering of sealskin that is on it, the screen for the door of the Tent of Meeting, the hangings of the court, the screen for the door of the gate of the court which is by the tabernacle and around the altar, their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and whatever shall be done with them. They shall serve in there. At the commandment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burden and in all their service; and you shall appoint their duty to them in all their responsibilities. This is the service of the families of the sons of the Gershonites in the Tent of Meeting. Their duty shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. “As for the sons of Merari, you shall count them by their families, by their fathers’ houses; you shall count them from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old—everyone who enters on the service, to do the work of the Tent of Meeting. This is the duty of their burden, according to all their service in the Tent of Meeting: the tabernacle’s boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, the pillars of the court around it, their sockets, their pins, their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service. You shall appoint the instruments of the duty of their burden to them by name. This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service in the Tent of Meeting, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.” Moses and Aaron and the princes of the congregation counted the sons of the Kohathites by their families, and by their fathers’ houses, from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who entered into the service for work in the Tent of Meeting. Those who were counted of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred fifty. These are those who were counted of the families of the Kohathites, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses. Those who were counted of the sons of Gershon, by their families, and by their fathers’ houses, from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old—everyone who entered into the service for work in the Tent of Meeting, even those who were counted of them, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, were two thousand six hundred thirty. These are those who were counted of the families of the sons of Gershon, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the commandment of Yahweh. Those who were counted of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old—everyone who entered into the service for work in the Tent of Meeting, even those who were counted of them by their families, were three thousand two hundred. These are those who were counted of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses. All those who were counted of the Levites whom Moses and Aaron and the princes of Israel counted, by their families and by their fathers’ houses, from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who entered in to do the work of service and the work of bearing burdens in the Tent of Meeting, even those who were counted of them, were eight thousand five hundred eighty. According to the commandment of Yahweh they were counted by Moses, everyone according to his service and according to his burden. Thus they were counted by him, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 1Ch 23:3 Now the Levites were numbered from the…
1Ch 23:3 Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.
Ver. 3. Now the Levites were numbered.] Not as the people had been, {1Ch 21:5-6} out of curiosity and vainglory: but on piety and prudence, and by a divine instinct.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain From the age of thirty years and upward; not…
From the age of thirty years and upward; not only till fifty, as it was appointed, Num 4:2,3, but even till their death; for that was but a temporary law grounded upon a special reason, because the Levites were employed in carrying the tabernacle and sacred vessels from place to place; and therefore God would have them freed from those burdens when they came to feel the infirmities of age; which reason wholly ceasing upon the building of the temple, and their work being far easier than it had been, and their service being more a privilege than a burden, their time of service is justly and fitly prolonged.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Now the Levites were numbered from the age of…
Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years, and upward,.... So they were numbered in the days of Moses, and by his order, and so they were now at first; though afterwards there was a new reckoning of them, Ch1 23:24.
and their number by their posts; or, according to their heads:
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man by man, was thirty and eight thousand; which vastly exceeds the number in the times of Moses; see Num 4:47, but then those above fifty years of age were not numbered, as they now might; since their work in the temple would be much more easy, no burdens to carry, as the ark, the vessels, &c.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Upwards - Not only 'till fifty, as it was…
Upwards - Not only 'till fifty, as it was appointed, Num. iv, 2, 3, but even 'till their death: for that was but a temporary law grounded upon a special reason, because the Levites were employed in carrying the tabernacle and sacred vessels from place to place; and therefore God would have them freed from those burdens when they came to feel the infirmities of age: which reason wholly ceasing upon the building of the temple, their work being far easier than it had been, and their service being more a privilege than a burden, their time of service is justly prolonged.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 3. Thirty years and upward] The enumeration of…
Verse 3. Thirty years and upward] The enumeration of the Levites made in the desert, Nu 4:3, was from thirty years upwards to fifty years. In this place, the latter limit is not mentioned, probably because the service was not so laborious now; for the ark being fixed they had no longer any heavy burdens to carry, and therefore even an old man might continue to serve the tabernacle. David made another ordinance afterwards; see on 1Ch 23:24; 1Ch 23:27.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain 1Ch 23:3. From the age of thirty years and…
1Ch 23:3. From the age of thirty years and upward — Not only till fifty, as it was appointed Num 4:2-3, but even till their death: for that was but a temporary law grounded upon a special reason, because the Levites were employed in carrying the tabernacle and sacred vessels from place to place; and therefore God would have them freed from those burdens when they came to feel the infirmities of age: which reason wholly ceasing upon the building of the temple, their work being far easier than it had been, and their service being more a privilege than a burden, their time of service is justly prolonged.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Numbered at the same time, when David caused his…
Numbered at the same time, when David caused his son to be crowned, and made these fresh regulations, ver. 27., and chap. xxvi. 31. --- Upwards, according to the plan given by Moses. David afterwards ordered people of twenty years of age, to begin to serve in the tabernacle, as it was now fixed, and consequently the labours were diminished. This tended to augment the splendour of the religious worship, and to edify the people, who could not attend so constantly, in person.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain the Levites were numbered . . . thirty and…
the Levites were numbered . . . thirty and eight thousand--Four times their number at the early census taken by Moses (see on Num. 4:1-49; Num. 26:1-51). It was, in all likelihood, this vast increase that suggested and rendered expedient that classification, made in the last year of David's reign, which the present and three subsequent chapters describe.
by their polls, man by man--Women and children were not included.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 3. by their polls] Lit. by their skulls. “Poll”…
3. by their polls] Lit. by their skulls. “Poll” is an almost obsolete word for “head,” retained in the compound word, “poll-tax.”
thirty and eight thousand] A great increase since the time of Moses; the males from a month old and upwards are reckoned at 22,000 in Num_3:39 and at 23,000 in Num_26:62.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (3) Now . . . and—i.e., after the council…
(3) Now . . . and—i.e., after the council had agreed upon it.
The Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward.—A census like that which Moses instituted (Num_4:3; Num_4:23; Num_4:30, &c.), of all Levites “from thirty years old and upward unto fifty years,” for the work of the Tabernacle.
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By their polls, man by man.—Lit., As to their skulls, as to men. The second phrase defines the first, and excludes women and children.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Now the Levites were numbered from the age of…
Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward. The thing which Joab had rightly resisted (1Ch_21:3-6) and shrunk from doing was now rightly done. There was now a practical and a legitimate object for doing it. This consideration helps to determine what it was that "displeased the Lord" in the former general census of David. In connection with this clause, 1Ch_27:23 should be noted, where we read, "But David took not the number ofthem from twenty years old and under: because the Lord had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens." The period from the age of thirty years up to fifty (Num_4:3, Num_4:23, Num_4:35, Num_4:39) was fixed under Moses, for those "that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation". (Num_4:47) It is not certain, however, that this census did not inquire, in point of fact, respecting some below this limit of age. For we may note ver. 24 in the first place, and this is partly explained by Num_8:23-25. The number "thirty and eight thousand" of our present verse may be compared with the "eight thousand and five hundred and four score" of Num_4:47, Num_4:48. It is to be observed how promptly the national council did on this occasion commence with the arrangement of the ministers of religion, "the Levites." As we read (Num_4:3) of "thirty years" of age as the appointed age for the commencement of their ministry, and (Num_7:3) of the present or "offering" of "six covered waggons and twelve oxen," which the twelve "princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, princes of the tribes," offered "before the Lord," which greatly lessened the laborious work of the Levites; so we find the commencing age reduced from time to time, to "twenty-five" years, (Num_8:24) and to "twenty years" of age, as in our present chapter (vers. 24-28).
Vers. 3-32.
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The sacred tribe: their service and ours.
We have here
I THE SPECIAL SERVICE WHICH THE LEVITES RENDERED TO ISRAEL. This was four-fold.
1. Assisting at the service of sacrifice. They were "to set forward the workof the house of the Lord" (ver. 4); "their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord," etc. (vers. 28, 29); "to offer i.e. to help at the offering of all burnt sacrifices," etc. (vers. 31, 32).
2. Rendering the service of praise. "Four thousand of them praised theLord," etc. (ver. 5). These were to stand every morning and evening to thank and praise the Lord (ver. 30).
3. Administration of civic business and pacification: "officers and judges"(ver. 4).
4. Guardianship of the gates; preserving from profanation, and so fromDivine displeasure: "porters," i.e. gatekeepers (ver. 5).
II THE CHANGES WHICH OCCUR IN THE FORM OF SERVICE. Even under the same dispensation occasional changes occurred of the way in which God was served. An instance and indication of this is found here. The Levites had no more need to carry the tabernacle from place to place; they thus laid down one of their most solemn and important functions (vers. 25, 26). They were also henceforth to be numbered from twenty (instead of thirty) years of age (vers. 27, 28). And, further, they entered now on the service of instrumental music, systematically arranged (vers. 5, 30). If such minor changes occurred in the same era of religions history, how much greater changes in the order of service might we expect to find when one dispensation gave place to another, when the Law was lost in the gospel? Such we do find. We look, therefore, at
III OUR CORRESPONDING SERVICE UNDER CHRIST.
1. In the matter of sacrifice, the Levites cannot properly be said to haveany successors; for, the one all-sufficient atonement having been offered, there is no sacrifice to be presented, and, there being no officiating priest and no altar "in Christ Jesus," there is needed no ministering Levite. Only that we are all to be priests and Levites in that we are all to present "spiritual sacrifices" of prayer and praise, and of "doing good and communicating," continually unto him. However, there are humbler services to be rendered, needful work to be done, "for the service of the house of the Lord" (ver. 24); and in this useful and worthy ministry, those who take their part cheerfully and do their work faithfully are "approved of him.
2. In the matter of praise, the Levites find their successors in
(1) those who teach and lead in the service of song in the Christian sanctuary;
(2) all who join in and thus encourage others in that service. And they who do their best to perfect the praises of God understanding by that not only attaining to the perfect scientific form of service, but reaching the moral and spiritual ideal of a service in which the music of the instrument and of the voice is subordinated to the melody of the heart, (Eph_5:19) these render an invaluable ministry to the Church of Christ.
1. In respect of administration (officers and judges), as ecclesiastical lawhas given place to civil law, this function of Jehovah"s servants has passed into other hands; yet perhaps they who are peacemakers between their
2. fellows and help to decide disputes between brethren may be said to be the "judges" of the present time.
0. As to guardianship of the gates, with the open throne of grace andaccess at all times to all men, there is little room for us to perpetuate this work of the Levite. But we can, and should, take great pains to preserve the spirit of reverence and pure devotion in the hearts of all who come to worship Christ. C. Consecrated maturity.
On the occasion of the "census," the tribe of Levi had not been taken. A special enumeration of them was now made, and the pattern of the Mosaic census was followed. Those at the age of thirty and above, but under fifty, alone were numbered. But the years from thirty to fifty represent and include a man"s maturity; and, in the case of the Levites, this their maturity lay as a "living sacrifice" on the altar of God"s service. It appears that our Lord began his ministry at the age of thirty. But "who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of my people was he stricken." For probably at most three years of his maturity did he lie a "living sacrifice." Make the burden of address a serious and earnest plea that strong men should give the strength of their manhood to holy service for God in the Church and the world. It is the weakness of so many Christian institutions and enterprises . as it so notably is of our Sunday school system that the experienced men and women of middle life hold aloof from them. There have indeed been cases of precocious development before the age of thirty; and we may not, even in our theories or our thoughts, set limits to the gloriously free operations of that Divine Spirit who "divides to every man severally as he wills." Still, the general rule, comprehensively working, is that full culture including something like adequate experience and due self-control is not reached before that age. F.W. Robertson, A. Hallam, R. A. Vaughan, are very familiar illustrations of early maturity. It is also true that there is a limit all too soon reached in most cases to a man"s freshness, power, and originality. A man reaches maturity, and may maintain it awhile; but the time of strong and individual force for any man is usually very brief. No doubt there are cases of strength retained beyond the age of fifty; and there is suitable work in the world for the older men to do. But still, it is in large measure true that a man"s distinct life-witness and life-work are very brief a few swiftly passing years. When they are done he either passes fromthe earth-spheres, or else he must step aside lest he be run down by the hurrying throng who go so much faster than he can go, and who, he begins to think, are going wrong. A man"s strong manhood is his great trust, and this must be for the Lord, wholly consecrated unto him. Then it may be earnestly pressed upon us that
I WE SHOULD ESTIMATE ARIGHT THE PREPARING-TIMES OF LIFE: the spring-times, on which depends the summer beauty; the seedtime, on which depends the autumn harvest; the child-time, on which depends wise fatherhood; the apprenticeship-time, on which depend the business successes.
II WE SHOULD FEEL THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MATURE TIMES: when we can put strength, good judgment, cultured skill, ripe powers, into whatever work we undertake. It is often pressed on our attention that we are responsible for what we have; it may be much more earnestly impressed upon us that we are responsible for what we are or can be.
III WE SHOULD ACCEPT THE PROVIDENCES THAT SET US ASIDE FOR RESTING-TIMES. Some such come in the midst of life"s works for our refreshing. Such come at last when our great life-work is done. We may be spared awhile in the Beulah-land, but in our resting-times we have new and other missions to fulfil. Alas! it takes much grace to make us willing to step quietly aside, and say of the new generation growing up round us, "He must increase, but I must decrease.
In the mystery of the Divine order the later and resting-times of a man"s life may be preparings for the consecrated maturities of the heavenly and eternal spheres. R.T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 23:3-5 The Levites are recorded according to their roles…
23:3-5 The Levites are recorded according to their roles rather than their families.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.