Numbers 3:17

Translations

Modern

These were the sons of Levi by name: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Traditional

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

Literal

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

Latin

…et inventi sunt filii Levi per nomina sua, Gerson et Caath et Merari.

Original

Hebrew

English

These were the sons of Levi by name: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Notes

Numbers 3:14–39

This first phase of a two-part registration of the tribe of Levi summarized each family's special duties. 4:1–33 describes this in more detail (see 4:34–49 for the second phase). This count did not relate to military duties, so it included male Levites from the age of one month (3:40–41).
Three family groups descend from the three sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. These clans, often called the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites, later inherited the "cities of refuge" (Joshua 21). They also had various important roles in the Jerusalem temple (2 Chronicles 29:3–17).

Numbers 3:1–4:49

Israel's priests and Levites had duties like moving, assembling, protecting, and maintaining the Tent of Meeting. The way God organized the tribes highlighted his concern for these priestly tasks.

Related verses

Genesis 46:11
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Exodus 6:16–19
These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years.
Numbers 23:6–23
So he returned to Balak, who was standing there beside his burnt offering, with all the princes of Moab.
Numbers 15:5–23
With the burnt offering or sacrifice of each lamb, you are to prepare a quarter hin of wine as a drink offering.
Numbers 24:1–25
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.
1 Chronicles 6:1–2
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Nehemiah 11:1–12
Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in the holy city of Jerusalem, while the remaining nine were to dwell in their own towns.
1 Chronicles 6:16–19
The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
Joshua 21:1–45
Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel
Numbers 26:57–58
Now these were the Levites numbered by their clans: The Gershonite clan from Gershon, the Kohathite clan from Kohath, and the Merarite clan from Merari.

People

Gershon: Firstborn son of Levi; head of the Gershonite Levites Kohath: Son of Levi; Levite clan ancestor Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites Merari: The third son of Levi and founder of the Merarites

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Census Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Deuteronomy, Book of Genealogy Gershon, Gershonites Kohath, Kohathites Merari, Merarite Numbers, Book of Tabernacle

Topics

Census: The Numbering of Israel by Moses Gershon: Son of Levi Levites: Enrollment of, at Mount Sinai Levites: Three Divisions of, Each Having the Name of One of Its Progenitors-Gershon, Kohath, and Merari Merari: Head the Merarite Levites The Levites: Originally Consisted for Three Families or Divisions

Numbers 3:17

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