Numbers 3:16

16 So Moses counted them. He did just as the word of the LORD had commanded him.

Numbers 3:16 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 3:16

And Moses numbered them according to the word of the Lord,
&c.] Took the account of all of a month old in the several houses and families of the tribe of Levi; though Moses is only here mentioned, yet it seems from ( Numbers 3:39 ) ; that Aaron was concerned with him in it; yea, in an after numbering of the Levites who were fit for business from thirty to fifty years of age, the chief of the children of Israel were assisting to him and Aaron, ( Numbers 4:46 ) ; as he commanded;
he was obedient to the divine will in all things, and so in this, though it was his own tribe and his own posterity, which in all successive ages were to be no other than ministering servants to the priests, and to have no inheritance in the land of Israel.

Numbers 3:16 In-Context

14 The LORD spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai. He said,

15 "Count the Levites by their family groups. Count every male who is a month old or more."

16 So Moses counted them. He did just as the word of the LORD had commanded him.

17 The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

18 The major families from Gershon were Libni and Shimei.