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Numbers 4:34-49 King James Version (KJV)

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34 And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and after the house of their fathers,

35 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation:

36 And those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.

37 These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

38 And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers,

39 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,

40 Even those that were numbered of them, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty.

41 These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD.

42 And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers,

43 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,

44 Even those that were numbered of them after their families, were three thousand and two hundred.

45 These be those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

46 All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers,

47 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation.

48 Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore,

49 According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers 4:34-49 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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34 And Moses H4872 and Aaron H175 and the chief H5387 of the congregation H5712 numbered H6485 the sons H1121 of the Kohathites H6956 after their families, H4940 and after the house H1004 of their fathers, H1

35 From thirty H7970 years H8141 old H1121 and upward H4605 even unto fifty H2572 years H8141 old, H1121 every one that entereth H935 into the service, H6635 for the work H5656 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation: H4150

36 And those that were numbered H6485 of them by their families H4940 were two thousand H505 seven H7651 hundred H3967 and fifty. H2572

37 These were they that were numbered H6485 of the families H4940 of the Kohathites, H6956 all that might do service H5647 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 which Moses H4872 and Aaron H175 did number H6485 according to the commandment H6310 of the LORD H3068 by the hand H3027 of Moses. H4872

38 And those that were numbered H6485 of the sons H1121 of Gershon, H1648 throughout their families, H4940 and by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1

39 From thirty H7970 years H8141 old H1121 and upward H4605 even unto fifty H2572 years H8141 old, H1121 every one that entereth H935 into the service, H6635 for the work H5656 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150

40 Even those that were numbered H6485 of them, throughout their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 were two thousand H505 and six H8337 hundred H3967 and thirty. H7970

41 These are they that were numbered H6485 of the families H4940 of the sons H1121 of Gershon, H1648 of all that might do service H5647 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 whom Moses H4872 and Aaron H175 did number H6485 according to the commandment H6310 of the LORD. H3068

42 And those that were numbered H6485 of the families H4940 of the sons H1121 of Merari, H4847 throughout their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1

43 From thirty H7970 years H8141 old H1121 and upward H4605 even unto fifty H2572 years H8141 old, H1121 every one that entereth H935 into the service, H6635 for the work H5656 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150

44 Even those that were numbered H6485 of them after their families, H4940 were three H7969 thousand H505 and two hundred. H3967

45 These be those that were numbered H6485 of the families H4940 of the sons H1121 of Merari, H4847 whom Moses H4872 and Aaron H175 numbered H6485 according to the word H6310 of the LORD H3068 by the hand H3027 of Moses. H4872

46 All those that were numbered H6485 of the Levites, H3881 whom Moses H4872 and Aaron H175 and the chief H5387 of Israel H3478 numbered, H6485 after their families, H4940 and after the house H1004 of their fathers, H1

47 From thirty H7970 years H8141 old H1121 and upward H4605 even unto fifty H2572 years H8141 old, H1121 every one that came H935 to do H5647 the service of the ministry, H5656 and the service H5656 of the burden H4853 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150

48 Even those that were numbered H6485 of them, were eight H8083 thousand H505 and five H2568 hundred H3967 and fourscore. H8084

49 According to the commandment H6310 of the LORD H3068 they were numbered H6485 by the hand H3027 of Moses, H4872 every H376 one H376 according to his service, H5656 and according to his burden: H4853 thus were they numbered H6485 of him, as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

Numbers 4:34-49 American Standard (ASV)

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34 And Moses and Aaron and the princes of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites by their families, and by their fathers' houses,

35 from thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entered upon the service, for work in the tent of meeting:

36 and those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.

37 These are they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that did serve in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Jehovah by Moses.

38 And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, their families, and by their fathers' houses,

39 from thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entered upon the service, for work in the tent of meeting,

40 even those that were numbered of them, by their families, by their fathers' houses, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty.

41 These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, all that did serve in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Jehovah.

42 And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their fathers' houses,

43 from thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entered upon the service, for work in the tent of meeting,

44 even those that were numbered of them by their families, were three thousand and two hundred.

45 These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Jehovah by Moses.

46 All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the princes of Israel numbered, by their families, and by their fathers' houses,

47 from thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entered in to do the work of service, and the work of bearing burdens in the tent of meeting,

48 even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore.

49 According to the commandment of Jehovah they were numbered by Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

Numbers 4:34-49 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

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34 And Moses numbereth -- Aaron also, and the princes of the company -- the sons of the Kohathite, by their families, and by the house of their fathers,

35 from a son of thirty years and upward even unto a son of fifty years, every one who is going in to the host, for service in the tent of meeting,

36 and their numbered ones, by their families, are two thousand seven hundred and fifty.

37 These `are' those numbered of the families of the Kohathite, every one who is serving in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered, by the command of Jehovah, by the hand of Moses.

38 And those numbered of the sons of Gershon, by their families, and by the house of their fathers,

39 from a son of thirty years and upward even unto a son of fifty years, every one who is going in to the host, for service in the tent of meeting,

40 even their numbered ones, by their families, by the house of their fathers, are two thousand and six hundred and thirty.

41 These `are' those numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, every one who is serving in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered by the command of Jehovah.

42 And those numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by the house of their fathers,

43 from a son of thirty years and upward even unto a son of fifty years, every one who is going in to the host, for service in the tent of meeting,

44 even their numbered ones, by their families, are three thousand and two hundred.

45 These `are' those numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered, by the command of Jehovah, by the hand of Moses.

46 All those numbered, whom Moses numbered -- Aaron also, and the princes of Israel -- of the Levites, by their families, and by the house of their fathers,

47 from a son of thirty years and upward even unto a son of fifty years, every one who is going in to do the work of the service, even the service of burden in the tent of meeting,

48 even their numbered ones are eight thousand and five hundred and eighty;

49 by the command of Jehovah hath `one' numbered them, by the hand of Moses, each man by his service, and by his burden, with his numbered ones, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.

Numbers 4:34-49 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

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34 And Moses and Aaron and the princes of the assembly numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and according to their fathers' houses,

35 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, every one that entered into the labour, for service in the tent of meeting.

36 And those that were numbered of them according to their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.

37 These are they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, every one that served in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Jehovah through Moses.

38 And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, after their families, and according to their fathers' houses,

39 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, every one that entered into the labour, for service in the tent of meeting,

40 even those that were numbered of them, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, were two thousand six hundred and thirty.

41 These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, all that served in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Jehovah.

42 And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, after their families, according to their fathers' houses,

43 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, every one that entered into the labour, for service in the tent of meeting,

44 even those that were numbered of them according to their families, were three thousand two hundred.

45 These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Jehovah through Moses.

46 All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the princes of Israel numbered, after their families and according to their fathers' houses,

47 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, every one that came to serve [in] the work of the service, and [in] the work of carrying, in the tent of meeting,

48 even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand five hundred and eighty.

49 According to the commandment of Jehovah they were numbered by Moses, every one for his service, and for his burden, and numbered by him, as Jehovah had commanded Moses.

Numbers 4:34-49 World English Bible (WEB)

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34 Moses and Aaron and the princes of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites by their families, and by their fathers' houses,

35 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who entered into the service, for work in the Tent of Meeting.

36 Those who were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred fifty.

37 These are those who were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.

38 Those who were numbered of the sons of Gershon, their families, and by their fathers' houses,

39 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who entered into the service, for work in the Tent of Meeting,

40 even those who were numbered of them, by their families, by their fathers' houses, were two thousand six hundred thirty.

41 These are those who were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Yahweh.

42 Those who were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their fathers' houses,

43 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who entered into the service, for work in the Tent of Meeting,

44 even those who were numbered of them by their families, were three thousand two hundred.

45 These are those who were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.

46 All those who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the princes of Israel numbered, by their families, and by their fathers' houses,

47 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who entered in to do the work of service, and the work of bearing burdens in the Tent of Meeting,

48 even those who were numbered of them, were eight thousand five hundred eighty.

49 According to the commandment of Yahweh they were numbered by Moses, everyone according to his service, and according to his burden. Thus were they numbered by him, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

Numbers 4:34-49 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

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34 So Moses and Aaron and the chiefs of the people took in hand the numbering of the sons of the Kohathites, by families, in the order of their fathers' houses;

35 Numbering all those from thirty to fifty years old who were able to do the work in the Tent of meeting;

36 And the number of all these was two thousand, seven hundred and fifty.

37 This is the number of those of the Kohathites who did the work in the Tent of meeting, as they were numbered by Moses and Aaron at the order of the Lord.

38 And those of the sons of Gershon who were numbered by families,

39 All those from thirty to fifty years old who were able to do the work in the Tent of meeting,

40 Who were numbered by families in the order of their fathers' houses, were two thousand, six hundred and thirty.

41 This is the number of the sons of Gershon who did the work in the Tent of meeting, as they were numbered by Moses and Aaron at the order of the Lord.

42 And those of the sons of Merari who were numbered by families, in the order of their fathers' houses,

43 All those from thirty to fifty years old who did the work in the Tent of meeting,

44 Who were numbered by families, were three thousand, two hundred.

45 This is the number of the sons of Merari, numbered by Moses and Aaron at the order of the Lord.

46 And all the Levites who were numbered by Moses and Aaron and the chiefs of the people, by families, in the order of their fathers' houses,

47 Those from thirty to fifty years old who were able to do the work of the Tent of meeting and of its transport,

48 Came to eight thousand, five hundred and eighty.

49 At the order of the Lord they were numbered by Moses, every one in relation to his work and to his part in the transport; so they were numbered by Moses at the order of the Lord.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Numbers 4

Commentary on Numbers 4 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Keil & Delitzsch   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 4

In the former chapter an account was taken of the whole tribe of Levi, in this we have an account of those of that tribe who were in the prime of their time for service, betwixt thirty and fifty years old.

  • I. The serviceable men of the Kohathites are ordered to be numbered, and their charges are given them (v. 2-20).
  • II. Of the Gershonites (v. 24-28).
  • III. Of the Merarites (v. 29-33).
  • IV. The numbers of each, and the sum total at last, are recorded (v. 34, etc.).

Num 4:1-20

We have here a second muster of the tribe of Levi. As that tribe was taken out of all Israel to be God's peculiar, so the middle-aged men of that tribe were taken from among the rest to be actually employed in the service of the tabernacle. Now observe,

  • I. Who were to be taken into this number. All the males from thirty years old to fifty. Of the other tribes, those that were numbered to go forth to war were from twenty years old and upward, but of the Levites only from thirty to fifty; for the service of God requires the best of our strength, and the prime of our time, which cannot be better spent than to the honour of him who is the first and best. And a man may make a good soldier much sooner than a good minister. Now,
    • 1. They were not to be employed till they were thirty years old, because till then they were in danger of retaining something childish and youthful and had not gravity enough to do the service, and wear the honour, of a Levite. They were entered as probationers at twenty-five years old, (ch. 8:24), and in David's time, when there was more work to be done, at twenty (1 Chr. 23:24, and so Ezra 3:8); but they must be five years learning and waiting, and so fitting themselves for service; nay, in David's time they were ten years in preparation, from twenty to thirty. John Baptist began his public ministry, and Christ his, at thirty years old. This is not in the letter of it obligatory on gospel ministers now, as if they must either not begin their work till thirty years old or must leave off at fifty; but it gives us two good rules:-
      • (1.) That ministers must not be novices, 1 Tim. 3:6. It is a work that requires ripeness of judgment and great steadiness, and therefore those are very unfit for it who are but babes in knowledge and have not put away childish things.
      • (2.) That they must learn before they teach, serve before they rule, and must first be proved, 1 Tim. 3:10.
    • 2. They were discharged at fifty years old from the toilsome part of the service, particularly that of carrying the tabernacle; for that is the special service to which they are here ordained, and which there was most occasion for while they were in the wilderness. When they began to enter upon old age, they were dismissed,
      • (1.) In favour to them, that they might no be over-toiled when their strength began to decay. Twenty years' good service was thought pretty well for one man.
      • (2.) In honour to the work, that it might not be done by those who, through the infirmities of age, were slow and heavy. The service of God should be done when we are in the most lively active frame. Those do not consider this who put off their repentance to old age, and so leave the best work to be done in the worst time.
  • II. How their work is described. They are said to enter into the host, or warfare, to do the work in the tabernacle. The ministry is a good work (1 Tim. 3:1): ministers are not ordained to the honour only, but to the labour, not only to have the wages, but to do the work. It is also a good warfare, 1 Tim. 1:18. Those that enter into the ministry must look upon themselves as entered into the host, and approve themselves good soldiers, 2 Tim. 2:3. Now, as to the sons of Kohath in particular, here is,
    • 1. Their service appointed them, in the removes of the tabernacle. Afterwards, when the tabernacle was fixed, they had other work assigned them; but this was the work of the day, which was to be done in its day. Observe, Wherever the camp of Israel went, the tabernacle of the Lord went with them, and care must be taken for the carriage of it. Note, Wherever we go, we must see to it that we take our religion along with us, and not forget that or any part of it. Now the Koliathites were to carry all the holy things of the tabernacle. They were charged with those things before (ch. 3:31), but here they have more particular instructions given them.
      • (1.) Aaron, and his sons the priests, must pack up the things which the Kohathites were to carry, as here directed, v. 5, etc. God had before appointed that none should come into the most holy place, but only Aaron once a year with a cloud of incense (Lev. 16:2); and yet, the necessity of their unsettled state requiring it, that law is here dispensed with; for every time they removed Aaron and his sons went in to take down the ark, and make it up for carriage; for (as the learned bishop Patrick suggests) the shechinah, or display of the divine majesty, which was over the mercy-seat, removed for the present in the pillar of cloud, which was taken up, and then the ark was not dangerous to be approached.
      • (2.) All the holy things must be covered, the ark and table with three coverings, all the rest with two. Even the ashes of the altar, in which the holy fire was carefully preserved and raked up, must have a purple cloth spread over them, v. 13. Even the brazen altar, though in the court of the sanctuary it stood open to the view of all, yet was covered in the carriage of it. All these coverings were designed,
        • [1.] For safety, that these holy things might not be ruffled with the wind, sullied with the rain, nor tarnished with the sun, but that they might be preserved in their beauty; for on all the glory shall be a defence. The coverings of badgers' skins, being thick and strong, would keep out wet; and, while we are in our passage through the wilderness of this world, it concerns us to be fenced for all weathers, Isa. 4:5, 6.
        • [2.] For decency and ornament. Most of these things had a cloth of blue, or purple, or scarlet, spread outmost; and the ark was covered with a cloth wholly of blue (v. 6), an emblem (say some) of the azure skies, which are spread like a curtain between us and the Majesty on high, Job 26:9. Those that are faithful to God should endeavour likewise to appear beautiful before men, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.
        • [3.] For concealment. It signified the darkness of that dispensation. That which is now brought to light by the gospel, and revealed to babes, was then hidden from the wise and prudent. They saw only the coverings, not the holy things themselves (Heb. 10:1); but now Christ has destroyed the face of the covering, Isa. 25:7.
      • (3.) When all the holy things were covered, then the Kohathites were to carry them on their shoulders. These things that had staves were carried by their staves (v. 6, 8, 11, 14); those that had not were carried upon a bar, or bier, or bearing barrow, v. 10, 12. See how the tokens of God's presence in this world are movable things; but we look for a kingdom that cannot be moved.
    • 2. Eleazar, now the eldest son of Aaron, is appointed overseer of the Kohathites in this service (v. 16); he must take care that nothing was forgotten, left behind, or displaced. As a priest he had more honour than the Levites, but then he had more care; and that care was a heavier burden, no doubt, upon his heart, than all the burdens that were laid upon their shoulders. It is much easier to do the work of the tabernacle than to discharge the trusts of it, to obey than to rule.
    • 3. Great care must be taken to preserve the lives of these Levites, by preventing their unseasonable irreverent approach to the most holy things: Cut you not off the Kohathites, v. 18. Note, Those who do not what they can to keep others from sin do what they can to cut them off.
      • [1.] The Kohathites must not see the holy things till the priests had covered them, v. 20. Even those that bore the vessels of the Lord saw not what they bore, so much were even those in the dark concerning the gospel whose office it was to expound the law. And,
      • [2.] When the holy things were covered, they might not touch them, at least not the ark, called here the holy thing, upon pain of death, v. 15. Uzza was struck dead for the breach of this law. Thus were the Lord's ministers themselves then kept in fear, and that was a dispensation of terror, as well as darkness; but now, through Christ, the case is altered; we have seen with our eyes, and our hands have handles, the word of life (1 Jn. 1:1), and we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace.

Num 4:21-33

We have here the charge of the other two families of the Levites, which, though not so honourable as the first, yet was necessary, and was to be done regularly.

  • 1. The Gershonites were charged with all the drapery of the tabernacle, the curtains, and hangings, and the coverings of badgers' skins, v. 22-26. These they were to take down when the cloud removed, and the ark and the rest of the holy things were carried away, to pack up and bring with them, and then to set up again, where the cloud rested. Aaron and his sons allotted to them their respective charge: "You shall take care of such a curtain, and you of such a hanging, that every one may know his work, and there may be no confusion,' v. 27. Ithamar particularly was to take the oversight of them, v. 28.
  • 2. The Merarites were charged with the heavy carriage, the boards and bars, the pillars and sockets, the pins and cords, and these were delivered to them by name, v. 31, 32. An inventory was given them of every particular, that it might be forthcoming, and nothing to seek, when the tabernacle was to be set up again. Though these seemed of less importance than the other things pertaining to the sanctuary, yet there was this care taken of them, to teach us with the greatest exactness to preserve pure and entire all divine institutions, and to take care that nothing be lost. It also intimates the care God takes of his church, and every member of it; the good Shepherd calls his own sheep by name, Jn. 10:3. Here were thousands of men employed about these services, though a much less number would have served for the bearing of those burdens; but it was requisite that the tabernacle should be taken down, and set up, with great expedition, and many hands would make quick work, especially when every one knew his work. They had tents of their own to take care of, and to take along with them, but the young men under thirty, and the old men above fifty, might serve for them; nor is there any mention of them, for God's house must always be preferred before our own. Their care was preposterous who built and ceiled their own houses while God's house lay waste, Hag. 1:4, 9. The death of the saints is represented as the taking down of the tabernacle (2 Co. 5:1), and the putting of it off, 2 Pt. 1:14. The immortal soul, like the most holy things, is first covered and taken away, carried by angels, unseen, under the inspection of the Lord Jesus, our Eleazar. Care is also taken of the body-the skin and flesh, which are as the curtains, the bones and sinews which are as the bars and pillars; none of these shall be lost; commandment is given concerning the bones, a covenant made with the dust; these are in safe custody, and shall all be produced in the great day, when this tabernacle shall be set up again, and these vile bodies made like the glorious body of Jesus Christ.

Num 4:34-49

We have here a particular account of the numbers of the three families of the Levites respectively, that is, of the effective men, between thirty years old and fifty. Observe,

  • 1. The Kohathites were, in all, 8600 from a month old and upwards; but of these there were but 2750 serviceable men, not a third part. The Gershonites, in all, 7500, and of them but 2630 serviceable men, little more than a third part. Note, Of the many that add to the numbers of the church, there are comparatively but few that contribute to the service of it. So it has been, and so it is; many have a place in the tabernacle that do but little of the work of the tabernacle, Phil. 2:20, 21.
  • 2. That the Merarites were but 6200 in all, and yet of these there were 3200 serviceable men, that is, more than half. The greatest burden lay upon that family, the boards, and pillars, and sockets; and God so ordered it that, though they were the fewest in number, yet they should have the most able men among them; for whatever service God calls men to he will furnish them for it, and give strength in proportion to the work, grace sufficient.
  • 3. The whole number of the able men of the tribe of Levi who entered into God's host to war his warfare was but 8580, whereas the able men of the other tribes that entered into the host of Israel to war their warfare were many more. The least of the tribes had almost four times as many able men as the Levites, and some of them more than eight times as many; for those that are engaged in the service of this world, and war after the flesh, are many more than those that are devoted to the service of God, and fight the good fight of faith.