Numbers 4:40-49

40 Who were numbered by families in the order of their fathers' houses, were two thousand, six hundred and thirty.

41 This is the number of the sons of Gershon who did the work in the Tent of meeting, as they were numbered by Moses and Aaron at the order of the Lord.

42 And those of the sons of Merari who were numbered by families, in the order of their fathers' houses,

43 All those from thirty to fifty years old who did the work in the Tent of meeting,

44 Who were numbered by families, were three thousand, two hundred.

45 This is the number of the sons of Merari, numbered by Moses and Aaron at the order of the Lord.

46 And all the Levites who were numbered by Moses and Aaron and the chiefs of the people, by families, in the order of their fathers' houses,

47 Those from thirty to fifty years old who were able to do the work of the Tent of meeting and of its transport,

48 Came to eight thousand, five hundred and eighty.

49 At the order of the Lord they were numbered by Moses, every one in relation to his work and to his part in the transport; so they were numbered by Moses at the order of the Lord.

Numbers 4:40-49 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 4

This chapter relates an order to number the Levites fit for business, and gives an account of the time and age when they should enter into service, and how long they should continue therein, Nu 4:1-3; what their particular service should be; and first of the Kohathites, Nu 4:4-20; next of the Gershonites, Nu 4:21-28; and then of the Merarites, Nu 4:29-33; after which Moses and Aaron, with the chief of the congregation, numbered each of them, even as many as were at the age fit for service, as the Kohathites, Nu 4:34-37; the Gershonites, Nu 4:38-41; the Merarites, Nu 4:42-45; the sum total of which is given, Nu 4:46-49.