Numbers-3-14-43

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago and of today have, and are shamefully disobeying this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Numbers 3:14-43”

Part Two:.

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction of Part Two of Numbers chapter three:

Numbers chapter 3 continues the organization of the Levites begun earlier. Verses 14-43 give the census of the Levite clans (Gershon, Kohath, Merari), total the Levites, count Israel’s firstborn, and prescribe the redemption payment for the surplus firstborn. The chapter is administrative and theological: it assigns duties, encampment positions, and establishes the Levites as substitutes for the firstborn, with a monetary redemption.

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Let us now read Be’midbar - Numbers chapter 3:14-43. (JPS-1917 version of the Torah).

14. “And יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying:

15. ‘Number the children of Levi by their fathers’ houses, by their families; every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them’.

16. And Moses numbered them according to the word of יְהוָה - the LORD, as he was commanded.

17. And these were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.

18. And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.

19. And the sons of Kohath by their families: Amram and Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.

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

21. Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites; these are the families of the Gershonites.

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

23. The families of the Gershonites were to pitch behind the tabernacle westward;

24. the prince of the fathers’ house of the Gershonites being Eliasaph the son of Lael,

25. and the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting the tabernacle, and the Tent, the covering thereof, 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 by the altar, round about and the cords of it, even whatsoever pertaineth to the service thereof.

27. And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites; these are the families of the Kohathites:

28. according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, eight thousand and six hundred, keepers of the charge of the sanctuary.

29. The families of the sons of Kohath were to pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward;

30. the prince of the fathers’ house of the families of the Kohathites being Elizaphan the son of Uzziel,

31. and their charge the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith the priests minister, and the screen, and all that pertaineth to the service thereof;

32. Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest being prince of the princes of the Levites, and having the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.

33. Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites; these are the families of Merari.

34. And those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were six thousand and two hundred;

35. the prince of the fathers' house of the families of Merari being Zuriel the son of Abihail; they were to pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward;

36. the appointed charge of the sons of Merari being the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the instruments thereof, and all that pertaineth to the service thereof;

37. and the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords.

38. And those that were to pitch before the tabernacle eastward, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrising, were Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary, even the charge for the children of Israel; and the common man that drew nigh was to be put to death.

39. All that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of יְהוָה - the LORD, by their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand.

40. And יְהוָה - the LORD said unto Moses: ‘Number all the first-born males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.

41. And thou shalt take the Levites for Me, even יְהוָה - the LORD, instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel’.

42. And Moses numbered, as יְהוָה - the LORD commanded him, all the first-born among the children of Israel.

43. And all the first-born males according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen’.

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Let us now look at ‘verse by verse’ and explanations:

Verses 14-17. The charge to take the Levites by families.

Paraphrase: אֱלֹהִים instructs Moses to take a census of the Levite families by their ancestral houses, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, and to list the names of their heads.

Explanation: This opening verse to the section frames the census as a Divinely commanded administrative act. Counting “by families” (clans) is not merely demographic; it identifies who will perform which tabernacle duties and where each clan will camp. The emphasis on names and heads preserves lineage and legal responsibility.

Verses 18-20. The Gershonite clans and their duties (summary)

Paraphrase: The sons of Gershon are named and their clans counted; their assigned duties involve the tabernacle’s fabrics, hangings, and coverings. The census gives a specific number for Gershon’s males from one month upward.

Explanation: The Gershonites are associated with the soft, textile elements of the sanctuary (curtains, coverings, screens). The age cutoff (“from one month upward” in the chapter’s census formula) signals who is counted for service and for substitution purposes. The precise number matters for later allocations and for the overall Levite total.

Verses 21-26. The Kohathite clans and their duties (summary).

Paraphrase: The Kohath family is listed with its clans and a headcount; Kohathites are assigned to the most sacred movable objects of the sanctuary.

Explanation: Kohathites have a special role: they carry the holy furnishings (the ark, table, menorah, altars, and sacred vessels). Because of the sanctity of these items, Kohathites have stricter rules about approach and handling (explained elsewhere in the Torah). The census identifies how many are available for these demanding duties.

Verses 27-32. The Merarite clans and their duties (summary).

Paraphrase: The Merari family and its clans are enumerated; their responsibility is the structural framework of the tabernacle, frames, bars, pillars, sockets.

Explanation: Merarites handle the heavy, structural components. The threefold division (Gershon, Kohath, Merari) neatly partitions the tabernacle’s needs: textiles, sacred furniture, and structure. The clan counts ensure each task has sufficient manpower and that encampment placement can be organized by clan.

Verses 33-37. Subtotals and the total number of Levites.

Paraphrase: The chapter sums the three family totals and gives the total number of Levites from one month upward.

Explanation: The subtotaling is administrative: it produces the Levite workforce available for service and for substitution in place of Israel’s firstborn. The total is also the basis for the later redemption calculation. The census is not a casual headcount but a legal and ritual instrument.

Verses 38-39. The firstborn of Israel are counted separately.

Paraphrase: Moses takes a separate census of all Israelite firstborn males (from one month upward), those who by birthright belong to אֱלֹהִים.
Explanation: The firstborn originally had a special status (recall the Exodus event when אֱלֹהִים claimed Israel’s firstborn). Counting the firstborn sets up the legal comparison: the Levites will serve instead of the firstborn, but because the Levites are fewer, a redemption payment is required for the excess firstborn. The parallel censuses make the substitution explicit and measurable.

Verses 40 to 43. The redemption of the surplus firstborn

Paraphrase: The difference between the number of firstborn and the number of Levites is calculated; for each surplus firstborn a redemption price is set (five shekels per person), and the total sum is collected. The money is given to Aaron and his sons for the service of the sanctuary.

Explanation: This passage resolves the numerical mismatch: the Levites replace the firstborn in service, and the excess firstborn are redeemed by payment. The five, shekel rate formalizes the substitution and provides a ritual, legal mechanism to balance the community’s obligations. The funds are entrusted to the priests, linking the economic act to cultic stewardship. The redemption is both symbolic (acknowledging אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s claim on the firstborn) and practical (providing for the sanctuary and its ministers).

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My Closing Message:

Numbers 3:14-43 combines ‘genealogy’, ‘census’, ‘duty assignment’, and ‘ritual law’ to organize the Levites and to formalize their substitution for Israel’s firstborn. The chapter shows a community that remembers its formative event (the Exodus) by structuring worship around lineage and service, and it resolves practical mismatches with a clear legal mechanism.

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

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Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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