Numbers 3-4

What I Noticed Today (Numbers 3-4)

Numbers 3-4 include God’s instructions to Aaron and his sons, and to the Levites regarding their priestly duties.

Numbers 3

Numbers 3 describes the duties of Aaron’s sons in some detail.

Verses 1-4 contain the family record of Aaron. He had four sons who were anointed and ordained to serve as priests: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Nadab and Abihu died when they presented unauthorized fire before the Lord, leaving Eleazar and Ithamar to serve as priests with their father, Aaron.

In verses 5-10, the Lord spoke to Moses, telling him to bring the Levites forward to help Aaron with the duties of caring for the tabernacle.

In verses 11-13, The Lord explained to Moses the reason for the selection of the Levites as a ransom for all the firstborn of Israel. The entire tribe of Levi became the substitutionary sacrifice in service to God when God struck down the firstborn throughout Egypt.

In verses 14-39, the Lord spoke to Moses ordering him to take a census of all the clans of the tribe of Levi:

• The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
• Gershon’s sons were Libni and Shimei. There were 7,500 males a month old or more. They camped behind the tabernacle on the west side. The Gershonites were responsible for guarding and transporting the tabernacle itself.
• Kohath’s sons were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. There were 8,600 males a month old or older. The Kohathites camped on the south side of the tabernacle. The Kohathites were responsible for guarding and transporting the sacred tabernacle furnishings.
• Merari’s sons were Mahli and Mushi. There were 6,200 males a month old or older. The Merari camped on the north side of the tabernacle. The Merari were responsible for caring for and transporting the equipment needed to erect the tabernacle.
• Moses, Aaron, and his sons performed the duties related to the sanctuary. They camped on the east side of the tabernacle.
• The total number of Levite males a month old or older was 22,000.

In verses 40-51, the Lord told Moses to take a census of every Israelite firstborn male a month old or older. The Levites were the Lord’s in place of every firstborn.

• The number of firstborn males was 22,273.
• For the 273 firstborn males of Israel over the number of firstborn Levites, the Lord ordered a five-shekel price to redeem the Israelites be paid to Aaron and his sons.
• So Moses collected the redemption money of 1,365 shekels of silver and gave it to Aaron and his sons just as the Lord commanded.

Numbers 4

Numbers 4 is devoted to the Kohathites and their detailed responsibilities in caring for and transporting the holy elements of the tabernacle.

In verses 1-3, the Lord spoke to Moses, telling him to complete a census of the Kohathite males between 30 and 50 years of age who were qualified to work in the tent of meeting.

In verses 4-20, the Lord gave explicit instructions regarding the care and transport of the holy objects in the tent of meeting.

• When it was time to move, Aaron and his sons were to go in and take down the veil and cover the ark of the testimony with it. This should then be covered with Manatee skin and blue cloth.
• Each item was carefully wrapped in hides to protect them and then in cloth.
• The Kohathites transported the holy furnishings, but no one was allowed to touch them directly except the priests. (We’ll see what happened to someone who touched the ark of the covenant in II Samuel 6:3-7, and 1 Chronicles 13:10.)
• Eleazar was specifically given responsibility for the oil for the lamp, the fragrant offering, the grain offering, and the anointing oil. He had oversight of the entire tabernacle and all its contents.
• The Lord spoke to Moses once again, warning him not to let anyone but a priest touch the holy things. Aaron and his sons must cover everything holy, and the Kohathites could then carry them, but they are not allowed to look at them or touch them, or they will die.

In verses 21-28, the duties of the Gershonites are described:

• The Lord spoke to Moses, telling him to take a census of the Gershonite males between 30-50 years old.
• They are to transport the tabernacle curtains, the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting, the courtyard hangings, and the screen to the entrance to the courtyard.
• They are under the direction of Ithamar, the priest, son of Aaron.

In verses 29-33, the duties of the Merarites are described:

• The Lord spoke to Moses, telling him to take a census of the Merarite males between 30-50 years old.
• They are responsible for carrying the tent of meeting, the supports of the tabernacle, the bases, crossbars, and posts.
• They are under the direction of Ithamar, the priest, son of Aaron.

In verses 34-49, the census of the Levites is summarized:

• There were among the Kohathites 8,300 males over 1-month-old, and 2,750 between 30-50 years old.
• There were among the Gershonites 7.500 males over 1-month-old, and 2,630 between 30-50 years old.
• There were among the Merari 6,200 over 1-month-old, and 3.200 between 30-50 years old.
• There was a total of 8,580 men between 30-50 years old registered to work, and each had his assigned duties in transporting items of the tabernacle.

Some thoughts for additional consideration:

• Once again, we see the incredible detail and organization that God established for the nation Israel in their service to Him. It is important to note that God’s promised blessings are contingent on the people following all the specific directions He provided.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Tomorrow: Numbers 5-6