Numbers 3:17-27

17 And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gedson, Caath, and Merari.

18 And these the names of the sons of Gedson according to their families; Lobeni and Semei:

19 and the sons of Caath according to their families; Amram and Issaar, Chebron and Oziel:

20 and the sons of Merari according to their families, Mooli and Musi; these are the families of the Levites according to the houses of their families.

21 To Gedson belongs the family of Lobeni, and the family of Semei: these are the families of Gedson.

22 The numbering of them according to the number of every male from a month old and upwards, their numbering seven thousand and five hundred.

23 And the sons of Gedson shall encamp westward behind the tabernacle.

24 And the ruler of the household of the family of Gedson Elisaph the son of Dael.

25 And the charge of the sons of Gedson in the tabernacle of witness the tent and the veil, and the covering of the door of the tabernacle of witness,

26 and the curtains of the court, and the veil of the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and the remainder of all its works.

27 To Caath one division, that of Amram, and another division, that of Issaar, and another division, that of Chebron, and another division, that of Oziel: these are the divisions of Caath, according to number.

Numbers 3:17-27 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.