Numbers 26:62 - Those who were counted of them were twenty-three thousand, every male from a month old and upward; for they were not counted among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.

Generated Verse: Numbers 26:62

What does "Numbers 26:62" mean?


This verse from Numbers 26:62 refers specifically to the Levites during the second census taken by Moses and Eleazar after the plague following the Baal-Peor incident. Let's break it down:

"Those who were counted of them were twenty-three thousand, every male from a month old and upward": This means that a census of all male Levites one month old and older totaled 23,000. This is a specific population count.

"for they were not counted among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.": This is the crucial part explaining why the Levites are counted separately. The other tribes of Israel received specific plots of land as their inheritance in Canaan. The Levites, however, did not receive such a territorial inheritance.

Why no land inheritance for the Levites?

The Levites were set apart for a specific purpose: to serve in the Tabernacle (later the Temple) and to be responsible for religious duties. Their "inheritance" was not land, but rather:

Service to God: They were dedicated to serving in the sanctuary.
Tithes and Offerings: They were supported by the tithes and offerings brought by the other tribes. This was their provision in lieu of land.
Cities to Live In: They were given certain cities scattered throughout the other tribes to live in (Numbers 35). These cities weren't meant to be a territorial inheritance in the same way as the tribal lands.

In summary, the verse highlights the special status of the Levites. They were a distinct group within Israel, designated for religious service rather than agricultural land ownership. This distinction is reflected in their separate census and the rationale that they received no territorial inheritance like the other tribes.

What categories does "Numbers 26:62" have?