Numbers 1:47

The Exemption of the Levites

47 The Levites, however, were not numbered along with them by the tribe of their fathers.

Numbers 1:47 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 1:47

But the Levites
The tribe of Levi were excepted from this muster, they being employed in a kind of warfare, and therefore not to be engaged in another:

after the tribe of their fathers, were not numbered among them:
the rest of the tribes; the reason follows.

Numbers 1:47 In-Context

45 So all the Israelites twenty years of age or older who could serve in Israel’s army were counted according to their families.

46 And all those counted totaled 603,550.

47 The Levites, however, were not numbered along with them by the tribe of their fathers.

48 For the LORD had said to Moses:

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