Keraia
Numbers 3

Numbers 3:26

The Gershonites · Numbers 3:21–26
Read Numbers 3

Translations

Modern
…the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard that surrounds the tabernacle and altar, and the cords—all the service for these items.
Traditional
And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof.
Literal
…and the hangings of the court, and the screen of the door of the court, which are around the tabernacle and around the altar, and their cords, according to all its service.
Latin
…ipsum tabernaculum et operimentum ejus, tentorium quod trahitur ante fores tecti fœderis, et cortinas atrii: tentorium quoque quod appenditur in introitu atrii tabernaculi, et quidquid ad ritum altaris pertinet, funes tabernaculi et omnia utensilia ejus.

Original

Hebrew
English
…the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard that surrounds the tabernacle and altar, and the cords—all the service for these items.

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.

Parallels

Numbers 4:21–28 1 Chronicles 23:7–11

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Census Deuteronomy, Book of Genealogy Gershon, Gershonites Izehar, Izeharites Kohath, Kohathites Merari, Merarite Numbers, Book of Tabernacle Uzziel

Topics

Census: The Numbering of Israel by Moses Gershon: Son of Levi Levites: Enrollment of, at Mount Sinai Levites: Functions of had Charge of the Tabernacle in the Encampments and on the March Levites: Gershonites and Their Duties Levites: Place of, in Encampments and the March