Numbers 4:48 - even those who were counted of them, were eight thousand five hundred eighty.

Generated Verse: Numbers 4:48

What does "Numbers 4:48" mean?


Numbers 4:48 is part of a census taken of the Levites, specifically the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites. Let's break down what that census and this specific verse are about:

Context: The Census of the Levites: The book of Numbers is largely about the organization and journey of the Israelites in the wilderness. The Levites were a tribe set apart for service in the Tabernacle (the portable sanctuary). Chapter 4 focuses on assigning specific duties to the different Levitical families and preparing them for the move.

The Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites: These were the three main clans or families within the tribe of Levi. Each had specific responsibilities related to the Tabernacle:
Kohathites: Responsible for the most sacred objects, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the table for showbread, the lampstand, and the altars. They did not touch these things directly; rather, priests would cover them, and the Kohathites would carry them using poles inserted through rings.
Gershonites: Responsible for the curtains, coverings, and hangings of the Tabernacle, as well as the tent of the Tabernacle itself.
Merarites: Responsible for the structural components of the Tabernacle, like the boards, pillars, sockets, bars, and pegs.

"Even those who were counted of them..." This refers back to the instructions given earlier in the chapter to Moses and Aaron to number the Levites. The census was specifically of men aged 30 to 50. These were the men considered to be in their prime for the heavy work of disassembling, transporting, and reassembling the Tabernacle.

"...were eight thousand five hundred eighty." This is the total number of Levites between the ages of 30 and 50 who were eligible for service in the Tabernacle. The previous verses listed specific numbers for each of the three Levitical families, but verse 48 gives their combined total.

In Summary:

Numbers 4:48 simply means that when Moses and Aaron conducted the census of Levites aged 30 to 50 (the age range for Tabernacle service), they found a total of 8,580 men from the Kohathite, Gershonite, and Merarite families who were eligible to perform their assigned duties in the Tabernacle. This verse provides a headcount of the workforce available for moving and maintaining the Tabernacle.

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