New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Numbers 3
1
Here is the story of the family of Aaron and Moses. It belongs to the time when the Lord talked with Moses on Mount Sinai.
Reference
References Moses
Exodus 6:20
3
Those were the names of Aaron's sons. They were the anointed priests. They were prepared to serve the Lord as priests.
Reference
4
But Nadab and Abihu made an offering to the Lord by using fire that wasn't allowed. So they fell dead in front of him. That happened in the Desert of Sinai. They didn't have any sons. Only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests while their father Aaron was living.
Reference
References Lord
Numbers 26:61
5
The Lord spoke to Moses. He said,
6
"Bring the men of the tribe of Levi to the priest Aaron. They will help him.
7
They must work at the Tent of Meeting for Aaron and for the whole community. They must do what needs to be done at the holy tent.
Reference
8
They must take care of everything that is connected with the Tent of Meeting. When they do, they are acting for all of the people of Israel.
9
Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons. They are the men of Israel who must be given completely to him.
Reference
References Israel
Numbers 8:19
10
"Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. Anyone else who approaches the sacred tent must be put to death."
Reference
11
The Lord also said to Moses,
12
"I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel. I have taken them in place of the oldest son who is born to each woman in Israel. The Levites belong to me.
Reference
13
That is because every male that is born first to a mother is mine. In Egypt I struck down all of the males that were born first. I did it when I set apart for myself every male that is born first to a mother in Israel. That is true for men and animals alike. They belong to me. I am the Lord."
Reference
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."
Reference
17
The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath and Merari.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 46:11
18
The major families from Gershon were Libni and Shimei.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 6:17
20
The major families from Merari were Mahli and Mushi. Those were the major families of the Levites.
Reference
21
The families of Libni and Shimei belonged to the family of Gershon.
22
All of the males who were a month old or more were counted. There were 7,500 of them.
23
The families of Gershon had to camp on the west side. They had to camp behind the holy tent.
Reference
Temple
Numbers 1:53
25
Here are the duties of the families of Gershon at the Tent of Meeting. They were held accountable for taking care of the holy tent and its coverings. They took care of the curtain at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
Reference
Temple
Exodus 25:9
26
They took care of the curtains of the courtyard. They took care of the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. The courtyard was all around the holy tent and altar. They also took care of the ropes. In fact, they had to take care of everything that was connected with the use of all of those things.
Reference
Temple
Exodus 35:18
27
The families of Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel belonged to the family of Kohath.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 26:23
28
All of the males who were a month old or more were counted. There were 8,600 of them. The families of Kohath were held accountable for taking care of the sacred tent.
29
They had to camp on the south side of the holy tent.
Reference
Temple
Numbers 1:53
30
The leader of the families of Kohath was Elizaphan, the son of Uzziel.
31
They were held accountable for taking care of the ark of the covenant. They took care of the table for the holy bread. They took care of the lampstand and the two altars. They took care of the articles that were used for serving in the sacred tent. They also took care of the inner curtain. In fact, they had to take care of everything that was connected with the use of all of those things.
32
The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar. He was the son of the priest Aaron. Eleazar was appointed over those who were held accountable for taking care of the sacred tent.
33
The families of Mahli and Mushi belonged to the family of Merari.
34
All of the males who were a month old or more were counted. There were 6,200 of them.
35
The leader of the families of Merari was Zuriel, the son of Abihail. They had to camp on the north side of the holy tent.
Reference
People
36
They were appointed to take care of the frames of the tent. They took care of its crossbars, posts and bases. They took care of all of its supplies. In fact, they had to take care of everything that was connected with the use of all of those things.
Reference
37
They also took care of the posts of the courtyard that was around the holy tent. And they took care of the bases, tent stakes and ropes.
38
Moses, Aaron and Aaron's sons had to camp to the east of the holy tent. They had to camp toward the sunrise in front of the Tent of Meeting. They were held accountable for taking care of the sacred tent. They had to do it for the people of Israel. Anyone else who approached the tent would be put to death.
Reference
39
The total number of the Levites was 22,000. They were counted family by family. Every male who was a month old or more was counted. Moses and Aaron counted them, just as the Lord had commanded.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 26:62
40
The Lord said to Moses, "Count the males among the people of Israel who were the oldest sons born in their families. Count all those who are a month old or more. Make a list of their names.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 3:15
41
Take the Levites for me in their place. And take the livestock of the Levites in place of all of the male animals in Israel that were born first to their mothers. I am the Lord."
Reference
42
So Moses counted all of the oldest sons in Israel. He did just as the Lord had commanded him.
43
There were 22,273 of those sons who were a month old or more. They were listed by name.
44
The Lord also said to Moses,
45
"Take the Levites in place of all the males who were born first in Israel. Also take the livestock of the Levites in place of the livestock of Israel. The Levites belong to me. I am the Lord.
Reference
References Israel
Numbers 3:12
46
"But there are 273 more males who were born first in Israel than there are male Levites.
Reference
Redemption
Exodus 13:13
47
Collect two ounces of silver for each of them. Weigh it out in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent.
Reference
48
Give the silver to Aaron and his sons. It will buy the freedom of the additional sons in Israel."
49
So Moses collected the silver from the additional sons in Israel to buy their freedom. The Levites took the place of all of the others.
50
Moses collected 35 pounds of silver. It was weighed out in keeping with the weights that are used in the sacred tent. Moses collected it from the oldest sons in Israel.
51
He gave the silver to Aaron and his sons. He did just as the Lord had commanded him.
Reference
Redemption
Numbers 3:48
Chapter Summary
Numbers 3 deals with the tribe of Levi and the special ministry the Lord had given to them in caring for the tabernacle. The Levites had not been numbered with the fighting men but had been set apart to serve in a particular capacity and were distributed throughout the camp. In addition, the chapter contains information about the sons of Aaron, their duties, and the Levitical families and their responsibilities to the tabernacle.
The chapter opens with a statement about the sons of Aaron, who were set apart to serve as priests before the Lord. Their names were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. The first two had perished before the Lord because of their sin, and Eleazar and his brother Ithamar had served with their father Aaron until Eleazar had a special ministry ahead of him.
The Lord instructed Moses to bring near the tribe of Levi to Aaron to serve and assist him and his sons in their ministry. It should be noted that while Aaron and his sons had a priestly order, the Levites were to serve alongside Aaron’s family in a different capacity.
They were set apart to serve at the tabernacle and ensure it was cared for. Moreover, the Lord warned that those not qualified should not minister at the sanctuary. This shows that the Levites had a special role to play since they served under Aaron and his sons and took care of the holy things – they were responsible for ensuring the sanctity of the Tabernacle was maintained.
The chapter goes on to describe the families of Levi – Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. They were to serve at different aspects of the Tabernacle and had various duties.
The descendants of Gershon had the responsibility of caring for the hangings, the boards, and all other things that went into the making of the Tabernacle. In addition, they had to ensure they stored and handled these things with great care since they were used to minister before the Lord.
The Kohathites had the responsibility of ministering to the most holy things in the tabernacle. They were responsible for carrying the Ark of the Covenant, the table, the candlestick, and all other vessels that were used. However, they were not allowed to gaze at the holy things. It is only the priests who were to prepare and set these items before the Lord. It is noteworthy that the Kohathites had to carry these things as the Israelites traveled and had to put them down when they reached their destination.
Eleazar, the son of Aaron, was placed in charge of all the other Levitical families and was responsible for overseeing the oil for the lamp, the incense, the continual meat offering, and the anointing oil. In addition, Eleazar was to take charge of the tabernacle and everything that went with it. His position made him the second in command, equal to the priests and in charge of his tribe, the Kohathites.
The Merari clan had the task of taking care of the boards, bars, pillars, sockets, and other items needed to put up and take down the tabernacle. They played a crucial role as the Israelites had to set up the tent when they reached their destination and take it down so that they could travel.
The chapter ends with a description of the number of Levitical males who were one month old and above – 22,000. They were the ones who were counted individually, unlike the Israelites, who had been counted as a nation. Their special duties made them eligible to serve and care for the tabernacle and its furnishings.
The Lord instructed Moses to number the firstborn Israelite males and make them responsible for serving alongside the Levites since the firstborn had been claimed by the Lord during the plague in Egypt. However, the Levites had been set apart for this duty, so the Lord instructed Moses to have the firstborn Israelites pay a ransom fee. The Levites were substitutes for the firstborn, and so Moses was to get five shekels from each of the Israelites who had brought their sons to be numbered and give the amount to Aaron and his sons as ransom.
Numbers 3 shows the special attention God pays to Israel and His care for the Israelites to see them safely to their destination. The priests had a specific order and different duties from the Levites, who in turn had different tasks from one another. Moreover, the Levitical families were to serve the priests and the Kohathites and tend to all matters in the tabernacle. The division of duties shows how seriously the Lord takes the service of Israel and the tabernacle.
The chapter shows how deeply the Levitical tribe was involved with the Israelites. The Levites and their descendants were to serve and care for the tabernacle and had to follow the orders of Aaron and his sons closely. It is notable that while Moses instructed the Israelites to set up the tabernacle, the Levites had to do the actual work.
The chapter prepares the reader for the subsequent verses dealing with Israel’s journey, particularly in relation to the tabernacle. The Levites were to serve the Lord and were not ordinary Israelites as they had to care for the tabernacle and its furnishings and ensure that its services were not interrupted.
The chapter opens with a statement about the sons of Aaron, who were set apart to serve as priests before the Lord. Their names were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. The first two had perished before the Lord because of their sin, and Eleazar and his brother Ithamar had served with their father Aaron until Eleazar had a special ministry ahead of him.
The Lord instructed Moses to bring near the tribe of Levi to Aaron to serve and assist him and his sons in their ministry. It should be noted that while Aaron and his sons had a priestly order, the Levites were to serve alongside Aaron’s family in a different capacity.
They were set apart to serve at the tabernacle and ensure it was cared for. Moreover, the Lord warned that those not qualified should not minister at the sanctuary. This shows that the Levites had a special role to play since they served under Aaron and his sons and took care of the holy things – they were responsible for ensuring the sanctity of the Tabernacle was maintained.
The chapter goes on to describe the families of Levi – Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. They were to serve at different aspects of the Tabernacle and had various duties.
The descendants of Gershon had the responsibility of caring for the hangings, the boards, and all other things that went into the making of the Tabernacle. In addition, they had to ensure they stored and handled these things with great care since they were used to minister before the Lord.
The Kohathites had the responsibility of ministering to the most holy things in the tabernacle. They were responsible for carrying the Ark of the Covenant, the table, the candlestick, and all other vessels that were used. However, they were not allowed to gaze at the holy things. It is only the priests who were to prepare and set these items before the Lord. It is noteworthy that the Kohathites had to carry these things as the Israelites traveled and had to put them down when they reached their destination.
Eleazar, the son of Aaron, was placed in charge of all the other Levitical families and was responsible for overseeing the oil for the lamp, the incense, the continual meat offering, and the anointing oil. In addition, Eleazar was to take charge of the tabernacle and everything that went with it. His position made him the second in command, equal to the priests and in charge of his tribe, the Kohathites.
The Merari clan had the task of taking care of the boards, bars, pillars, sockets, and other items needed to put up and take down the tabernacle. They played a crucial role as the Israelites had to set up the tent when they reached their destination and take it down so that they could travel.
The chapter ends with a description of the number of Levitical males who were one month old and above – 22,000. They were the ones who were counted individually, unlike the Israelites, who had been counted as a nation. Their special duties made them eligible to serve and care for the tabernacle and its furnishings.
The Lord instructed Moses to number the firstborn Israelite males and make them responsible for serving alongside the Levites since the firstborn had been claimed by the Lord during the plague in Egypt. However, the Levites had been set apart for this duty, so the Lord instructed Moses to have the firstborn Israelites pay a ransom fee. The Levites were substitutes for the firstborn, and so Moses was to get five shekels from each of the Israelites who had brought their sons to be numbered and give the amount to Aaron and his sons as ransom.
Numbers 3 shows the special attention God pays to Israel and His care for the Israelites to see them safely to their destination. The priests had a specific order and different duties from the Levites, who in turn had different tasks from one another. Moreover, the Levitical families were to serve the priests and the Kohathites and tend to all matters in the tabernacle. The division of duties shows how seriously the Lord takes the service of Israel and the tabernacle.
The chapter shows how deeply the Levitical tribe was involved with the Israelites. The Levites and their descendants were to serve and care for the tabernacle and had to follow the orders of Aaron and his sons closely. It is notable that while Moses instructed the Israelites to set up the tabernacle, the Levites had to do the actual work.
The chapter prepares the reader for the subsequent verses dealing with Israel’s journey, particularly in relation to the tabernacle. The Levites were to serve the Lord and were not ordinary Israelites as they had to care for the tabernacle and its furnishings and ensure that its services were not interrupted.