Numbers 3:28

28 numbered by their names, all of male kind, from one month and above, eight thousand and six hundred. They shall have the keepings of the saintuary, (and the number of all the males, from one month of age and older, was eight thousand and six hundred. They shall keep charge of the holy things of the sanctuary,)

Numbers 3:28 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 3:28

In the number of all the males, from a month old and upwards,
[were] eight thousand and six hundred
8,600 men, which was the largest number of any of the houses of the Levites; but considering it had double the number of families in it, the increase was not so large in proportion, at least to Gershon, whose two families wanted but 1,100 of these four:

keeping the charge of the sanctuary;
of the holy and most holy places, and the vessels and instruments belonging thereunto; not that the males of a month old were keeping them, but when they were grown up and were capable of it, they had the charge thereof, in which they were instructed and trained up from their youth.

Numbers 3:28 In-Context

26 and the curtains of the great entry, also the tent that is hanged in the entering of the great entry of the tabernacle, and whatever thing pertaineth to the use of the altar, the cords of the tabernacle, and to all the service thereof. (and the curtains for the courtyard all around the Tabernacle, and the curtain that is hung at the entrance to the courtyard, and whatever pertaineth to the use of the altar, and all the other things in the service thereof.)

27 The kindred of Kohath shall have the peoples of Amram, and of Izhar, and of Hebron, and of Uzziel; these be the families of Kohathites,

28 numbered by their names, all of male kind, from one month and above, eight thousand and six hundred. They shall have the keepings of the saintuary, (and the number of all the males, from one month of age and older, was eight thousand and six hundred. They shall keep charge of the holy things of the sanctuary,)

29 and they shall set their tents at the south coast thereof; (and they shall pitch their tents on its south side;)

30 and the prince of them shall be Elizaphan, the son of Uzziel. (and their leader shall be Elizaphan, the son of Uzziel.)