Numbers 3:1-7

1 These are the descendants of Aharon and Moshe as of the day when ADONAI spoke with Moshe on Mount Sinai.

2 The names of the sons of Aharon are: Nadav the firstborn, Avihu, El'azar and Itamar.

3 These were the names of the sons of Aharon the cohen, whom he anointed and ordained as cohanim.

4 But Nadav and Avihu died in the presence of ADONAI when they offered unauthorized fire before ADONAI in the Sinai Desert, and they had no children; El'azar and Itamar served as cohanim in the presence of Aharon their father.

5 ADONAI said to Moshe,

6 "Summon the tribe of Levi, and assign them to Aharon the cohen, so that they can help him.

7 They are to carry out his duties and the duties of the whole community before the tent of meeting in performing the service of the tabernacle.

Numbers 3:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 3

In this chapter an account is given of the genealogy of the priests and Levites, and of the gift of the Levites to the priests, of the numbering of them, and the service they were to perform; and first of the priests, the sons of Aaron, Nu 3:1-4; and then of the Levites, as given unto them, to wait upon them, and assist them, Nu 3:5-10; and these were taken instead of the firstborn, Nu 3:11-13; and ordered to be numbered, which was done accordingly by their families, Nu 3:14-20; and the sum of each is given, and the particular work assigned to them; of the Gershonites, Nu 3:21-26; of the Kohathites, Nu 3:27-32; of the Merarites, Nu 3:33-38; the sum total of them is given, Nu 3:39; then the firstborn of the children of Israel, from a month old are ordered to be numbered, and were, Nu 3:40-43; and these appearing to be more in number than the Levites, by two hundred seventy three a direction is given that the two hundred seventy three should be redeemed at the rate of five, shekels apiece, and the money paid to Aaron and his sons, Nu 3:44-48; which was accordingly done, Nu 3:49-51.