Numbers 3:18-28

18 These are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Livni and Shim`i.

19 The sons of Kehat by their families: `Amram, and Yitzhar, Hevron, and `Uzzi'el.

20 The sons of Merari by their families: Machli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers' houses.

21 Of Gershon was the family of the Livni, and the family of the Shim`i: these are the families of the Gershoni.

22 Those who were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those who were numbered of them were seven thousand five hundred.

23 The families of the Gershoni shall encamp behind the tabernacle westward.

24 The prince of the fathers' house of the Gershoni shall be Elyasaf the son of La'el.

25 The charge of the sons of Gershon in the Tent of Meeting shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, its covering, and the screen for the door of the Tent of Meeting,

26 and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and around the altar, and its cords for all of its service.

27 Of Kehat was the family of the `Amrami, and the family of the Izharites, and the family of the Hevroni, and the family of the `Uzzi'eli: these are the families of the Kehati.

28 According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, there were eight thousand six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.

Numbers 3:18-28 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.