Numbers 7, The Twelve Tribes Consecrate the Altar

After the tabernacle is set up, the twelve tribes consecrate the altar.

Numbers 7:1-3, Heads of families step forward.

When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils. Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings. They brought as their gifts before the LORD six covered carts and twelve oxen--an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle.

Twelve leaders bring covered carts and oxen, six covered carts in total, and twelve oxen.

Numbers 7:4-11, Give to the Levites

The LORD said to Moses, "Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the Tent of Meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man's work requires." So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites, as their work required, and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible.

When the altar was anointed, the leaders brought their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar. For the LORD had said to Moses, "Each day one leader is to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar." 

The carts and oxen are given to the Gershonites and Merarites in relation to their duties carrying the tabernacle. The Gershonites get two carts and four oxen and the Merarites get four carts and eight oxen. The Kohathites, who do not need carts, are given nothing. They will carry the holy things on their shoulders.

Numbers 7:12-17, Nahshon of Judah

The one who brought his offering on the first day was Nahshon son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab.

Over twelve days, leaders from each of the twelve tribes of Israel will come forward and making an offering. (These are the same leaders as named in Numbers 1:5-16.) The first is from the tribe of Judah, a plate weighing 130 shekels, a silver bowl, a grain offering, a gold dish, a bull, ram and lamb, goat, two oxen, five rams, five goals and lambs.

Numbers 7:18-23, Nethanel of Issachar

On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, the leader of Issachar, brought his offering. The offering he brought was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar.

The second day and second gift is from the tribe of Issachar, a plate weighing 130 shekels, a silver bowl, a grain offering, and so on, identical to the offering of the nation of Judah.

Numbers 7:24-29, Eliab of Zebulun

On the third day, Eliab son of Helon, the leader of the people of Zebulun, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon.

The third day and gift is from the tribe of Zebulun, identical to the offering of the nation of Judah.

Numbers 7:30-35, Elizur of Reuben

On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, the leader of the people of Reuben, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur.

The fourth gift is from the tribe of Reuben, identical to the offering of the nation of Judah.

Numbers 7:36-41, Shelumiel of Simeon

On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the people of Simeon, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.

 

The fifth gift is from the tribe of Simeon, identical to the others.

Numbers 7:42-47, Eliasaph of Gad

On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the people of Gad, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel.

The sixth gift is from the tribe of Gad, identical to the others.

Numbers 7:48-53, Elishama of Ephraim

On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, the leader of the people of Ephraim, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud.

The seventh gift is from the tribe of Ephraim, identical to the others.

Numbers 7:54-59, Gamaliel of Manasseh

On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the people of Manasseh, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.

The eighth gift is from the tribe of Manasseh, identical to the others.

Numbers 7:60-65, Abidan of Benjamin

On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni, the leader of the people of Benjamin, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni.

The ninth gift is from the tribe of Benjamin, identical to the others.

Numbers 7:66-71, Ahiezer of Dan

On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, the leader of the people of Dan, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.

The tenth gift is from the tribe of Dan, identical to the others.

Numbers 7:72-77, Pagiel of Asher

On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Ocran, the leader of the people of Asher, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Pagiel son of Ocran.

The eleventh gift is from the tribe of Asher, identical to the others.

Numbers 7:78-83, Ahira of Naphtali

On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, the leader of the people of Naphtali, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahira son of Enan.

The twelfth gift is from the tribe of Naphtali, identical to the others.

Numbers 7:84-88, Additional offerings

These were the offerings of the Israelite leaders for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver plates, twelve silver sprinkling bowls and twelve gold dishes. Each silver plate weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each sprinkling bowl seventy shekels. Altogether, the silver dishes weighed two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ten shekels each, according to the sanctuary shekel. Altogether, the gold dishes weighed a hundred and twenty shekels. The total number of animals for the burnt offering came to twelve young bulls, twelve rams and twelve male lambs a year old, together with their grain offering. Twelve male goats were used for the sin offering.

The total number of animals for the sacrifice of the fellowship offering came to twenty-four oxen, sixty rams, sixty male goats and sixty male lambs a year old. These were the offerings for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed.

The gifts are totaled.

Numbers 7:89, Moses enters the Tent

When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the Testimony. And he spoke with him.

 

The work of the book of Leviticus has made Moses and the people of Israel clean before YHWH and so Moses can enter the tabernacle and commune with God.

First published September 8, 2025; updated September 11, 2025

Numbers 6, Nazirites

A special group of Israelites will be the Nazirites, a special group of men and women with special devotion and personal restrictions. The Nazirite vow was for a certain period of time, not necessarily a permanent status.

Numbers 6:1-8, Nazirites

The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: `If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazirite, he must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or from other fermented drink. He must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. As long as he is a Nazirite, he must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.

"`During the entire period of his vow of separation no razor may be used on his head. He must be holy until the period of his separation to the LORD is over; he must let the hair of his head grow long.

Throughout the period of his separation to the LORD he must not go near a dead body. Even if his own father or mother or brother or sister dies, he must not make himself ceremonially unclean on account of them, because the symbol of his separation to God is on his head. Throughout the period of his separation he is consecrated to the LORD.

Nazirites make a special vow, must abstain from alcoholic drinks and aslo from grape juice, grapes and raisin. They are to complete avoid anything from the vine. Furthermore, they must not shave or use razors. And priestly rules about touching dead bodies also apply to them.

Numbers 6:9-12, If someone dies

 "`If someone dies suddenly in his presence, thus defiling the hair he has dedicated, he must shave his head on the day of his cleansing--the seventh day. Then on the eighth day he must bring two doves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

          

The priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for him because he sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. That same day he is to consecrate his head. He must dedicate himself to the LORD for the period of his separation and must bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. The previous days do not count, because he became defiled during his separation.

It may be that, by accident, someone dies in the presence of a Nazirite. In this case, there is a route to returning to cleanliness.

Numbers 6:13-21, At the end of the vow

"`Now this is the law for the Nazirite when the period of his separation is over. He is to be brought to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

          

There he is to present his offerings to the LORD: a year-old male lamb without defect for a burnt offering, a year-old ewe lamb without defect for a sin offering, a ram without defect for a fellowship offering, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and a basket of bread made without yeast--cakes made of fine flour mixed with oil, and wafers spread with oil.
          

"`The priest is to present them before the LORD and make the sin offering and the burnt offering. He is to present the basket of unleavened bread and is to sacrifice the ram as a fellowship offering to the LORD, together with its grain offering and drink offering.

"`Then at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the Nazirite must shave off the hair that he dedicated. He is to take the hair and put it in the fire that is under the sacrifice of the fellowship offering.

"`After the Nazirite has shaved off the hair of his dedication, the priest is to place in his hands a boiled shoulder of the ram, and a cake and a wafer from the basket, both made without yeast. The priest shall then wave them before the LORD as a wave offering; they are holy and belong to the priest, together with the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.

"`This is the law of the Nazirite who vows his offering to the LORD in accordance with his separation, in addition to whatever else he can afford. He must fulfill the vow he has made, according to the law of the Nazirite.'"

 

The Nazirite vow is not a permanent one but would be made for a certain period. Here we have the rules for ending that time of commitment.

Numbers 6:22-27, A blessing for Israel

The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, `This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

"` "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."'

"So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."

The chapter on the Nazirites ends with a blessing for all Israelites. This beautiful blessing is reflected in later psalms, such as Psalm 67 and Psalm 121. 

First published September 6, 2025; updated September 10, 2025

Numbers 5, Deception and Adultery

As Wenham emphasizes, the ANE culture and thus the culture of the Israelites, had a strong emphasis on ritual. The emphasis on ritual is embedded in the requirements of the sacrificial system. 

Numbers 5:1-4, Keep the camp clean

The LORD said to Moses, "Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone who has an infectious skin disease or a discharge of any kind, or who is ceremonially unclean because of a dead body. Send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them."

The Israelites did this; they sent them outside the camp. They did just as the LORD had instructed Moses.

People with an infectious skin disease or who have touched a dead body are unclean and are to be separated from the camp.

Numbers 5:5-10, Making restitution

The LORD said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites: `When a man or woman wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the LORD, that person is guilty and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution for his wrong, add one fifth to it and give it all to the person he has wronged. But if that person has no close relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the LORD and must be given to the priest, along with the ram with which atonement is made for him. All the sacred contributions the Israelites bring to a priest will belong to him. Each man's sacred gifts are his own, but what he gives to the priest will belong to the priest.'"

When one recognizes that they have taken advantage of another, they are to make restitution, including a 20% guilt addition. In addition, they are to make a sacrifice of a ram at the altar.

Numbers 5:11-22, Adultery

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: `If a man's wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him by sleeping with another man, and this is hidden from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act), and if feelings of jealousy come over her husband and he suspects his wife and she is impure--or if he is jealous and suspects her even though she is not impure-- then he is to take his wife to the priest. He must also take an offering of a tenth of an ephah of barley flour on her behalf. He must not pour oil on it or put incense on it, because it is a grain offering for jealousy, a reminder offering to draw attention to guilt.

"`The priest shall bring her and have her stand before the LORD. Then he shall take some holy water in a clay jar and put some dust from the tabernacle floor into the water. After the priest has had the woman stand before the LORD, he shall loosen her hair and place in her hands the reminder offering, the grain offering for jealousy, while he himself holds the bitter water that brings a curse. Then the priest shall put the woman under oath and say to her, "If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become impure while married to your husband, may this bitter water that brings a curse not harm you.

But if you have gone astray while married to your husband and you have defiled yourself by sleeping with a man other than your husband"-- here the priest is to put the woman under this curse of the oath--"may the LORD cause your people to curse and denounce you when he causes your thigh to waste away and your abdomen to swell. May this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells and your thigh wastes away." 

"`Then the woman is to say, "Amen. So be it."

Accusations of adultery involve a statement made before a priest and then the woman is to drink a bitter mixture that represents the horror of unfaithfulness. The mixture is to affect the unfaithful woman but to have no effect on the faithful wife.

Numbers 5:23-28, The curse of the mixture

"`The priest is to write these curses on a scroll and then wash them off into the bitter water. He shall have the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and this water will enter her and cause bitter suffering. The priest is to take from her hands the grain offering for jealousy, wave it before the LORD and bring it to the altar. The priest is then to take a handful of the grain offering as a memorial offering and burn it on the altar; after that, he is to have the woman drink the water.

If she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then when she is made to drink the water that brings a curse, it will go into her and cause bitter suffering; her abdomen will swell and her thigh waste away, and she will become accursed among her people.

If, however, the woman has not defiled herself and is free from impurity, she will be cleared of guilt and will be able to have children.

Part of the curse is the disastrous result that the woman will not be able to have children. (This was a woman's greatest fear in the Ancient Near East.) But a faithful woman would still be able to have children.

Numbers 5:29-31, Law of jealousy

"`This, then, is the law of jealousy when a woman goes astray and defiles herself while married to her husband, or when feelings of jealousy come over a man because he suspects his wife. The priest is to have her stand before the LORD and is to apply this entire law to her. The husband will be innocent of any wrongdoing, but the woman will bear the consequences of her sin.'"

This strange ritual brings shame to the faithless wife but is intended to reassure the faithful wife. As Wenham says, we do not have clear guidance from this ancient culture as to the significance of rituals like this.

First published September 5, 2025; updated September 8, 2025

Numbers 4, Carrying the Tabernacle

(This DRAFT study has been done fairly quickly, without the further guide of commentaries. I hope to improve on it later.)

After surveying the Levites, in preparation for moving into the desert, there is a second census. Here they count the number of males capable of hard work.

Numbers 4:1-14, Caretakers of the ark

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: "Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families. Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work in the Tent of Meeting.

 "This is the work of the Kohathites in the Tent of Meeting: the care of the most holy things. When the camp is to move, Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain and cover the ark of the Testimony with it. Then they are to cover this with hides of sea cows, spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles in place.

"Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes and bowls, and the jars for drink offerings; the bread that is continually there is to remain on it. Over these they are to spread a scarlet cloth, cover that with hides of sea cows and put its poles in place.

"They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand that is for light, together with its lamps, its wick trimmers and trays, and all its jars for the oil used to supply it. Then they are to wrap it and all its accessories in a covering of hides of sea cows and put it on a carrying frame.
          

"Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with hides of sea cows and put its poles in place.
          

"They are to take all the articles used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with hides of sea cows and put them on a carrying frame.
         

"They are to remove the ashes from the bronze altar and spread a purple cloth over it. Then they are to place on it all the utensils used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans, meat forks, shovels and sprinkling bowls. Over it they are to spread a covering of hides of sea cows and put its poles in place.

We begin with the Kohathite clan. They will be caretakers of the ark and the table of the Presence and the shewbread. They will pack and unpack all the holy items.

Robert Alter gives a good argument that the strange word, tachash, is most likely not "sea cows" but is a rare ancient word, difficult to place. The KJV gives "badger" and the NASB gives "porpoise" or "porpoise skin" but Alter suggests that the word represents a bright color.

Numbers 4:15-16, Covering the items

"After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the Tent of Meeting.
          

"Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, is to have charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the regular grain offering and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles."

The holy items can only be touched by Aaron and his sons; they must be wrapped up so that the Kohathites can carry them without touching them.

Numbers 4:17-20, Not even to look at the holy things

 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not cut off from the Levites. So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry. But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die."

Only Aaron and his sons can look at the holy things.

Numbers 4:21-28, Gershonites

The LORD said to Moses, "Take a census also of the Gershonites by their families and clans. Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.

          

"This is the service of the Gershonite clans as they work and carry burdens: They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, its covering and the outer covering of hides of sea cows, the curtains for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, the curtain for the entrance, the ropes and all the equipment used in its service. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things. All their service, whether carrying or doing other work, is to be done under the direction of Aaron and his sons. You shall assign to them as their responsibility all they are to carry.

This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the Tent of Meeting. Their duties are to be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.

The Gershonites are to carry the curtains, the tents and its coverings. They will not be involved in carrying the innermost holy items but instead focus on the external structures of the tent.

Numbers 4:29-33, Merarites

"Count the Merarites by their clans and families. Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. This is their duty as they perform service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases, as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes, all their equipment and everything related to their use. Assign to each man the specific things he is to carry. This is the service of the Merarite clans as they work at the Tent of Meeting under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest."
 

The Merarites carry the frames of the tabernacle.

Clearly, in each clan there are more than enough men to carry the various items. Presumably there is a small set of workers and that set possibly rotates duties over time?

Numbers 4:34-45, Numbering the able-bodied men

Moses, Aaron and the leaders of the community counted the Kohathites by their clans and families. All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work in the Tent of Meeting, counted by clans, were 2,750. This was the total of all those in the Kohathite clans who served in the Tent of Meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the LORD's command through Moses.

The Gershonites were counted by their clans and families. All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting, counted by their clans and families, were 2,630. This was the total of those in the Gershonite clans who served at the Tent of Meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the LORD's command.
         

The Merarites were counted by their clans and families. All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting, counted by their clans, were 3,200. This was the total of those in the Merarite clans. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the LORD's command through Moses.

The number of able-bodied men in the three Levite clans was 2750, 2630 and 3200, totalling 8580. This compares to 7500, 8600 and 6200. I'm not quite sure what this says about the population demographics. The percentages come to 36.7%, 30.6% and 51.6%.

Numbers 4:46-49, Summary

So Moses, Aaron and the leaders of Israel counted all the Levites by their clans and families. All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to do the work of serving and carrying the Tent of Meeting numbered 8,580.
          

At the LORD's command through Moses, each was assigned his work and told what to carry. Thus they were counted, as the LORD commanded Moses.

The 8580 men are told their duties. The nation now prepares to break camp.

First published September 4, 2025; updated September 4, 2025

Numbers 3, The Arrangement of the Levites

(This DRAFT study has been done fairly quickly, without the further guide of commentaries. I hope to improve on it later.)

Numbers 3:1-4, Aaron's sons

This is the account of the family of Aaron and Moses at the time the LORD talked with Moses on Mount Sinai. The names of the sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. Those were the names of Aaron's sons, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests.

Nadab and Abihu, however, fell dead before the LORD when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai. They had no sons; so only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.

Leading the religious rituals of the people of Israel in the desert will be two sons of Aaron, Eleazar and Ithamar.

Numbers 3:5-10, Following Aaron

The LORD said to Moses,"Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community at the Tent of Meeting by doing the work of the tabernacle. They are to take care of all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, fulfilling the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the tabernacle. Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him. Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests; anyone else who approaches the sanctuary must be put to death."

 

The Levites are to follow Aaron, performing the temple duties as he requires.

Numbers 3:11-13, In place of the firstborn

The LORD also said to Moses, "I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine, for all the firstborn are mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether man or animal. They are to be mine. I am the LORD."

From the last plague in Egypt, the firstborn sons of the Israelites have been protected. While firstborn animals are given to God, the Levites will represent the firstborn Israelites, as a substituion.

Numbers 3:14-20, Census of Levites

The LORD said to Moses in the Desert of Sinai, "Count the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more."

So Moses counted them, as he was commanded by the word of the LORD. 

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

    These were the names of the Gershonite clans: Libni and Shimei. 

    The Kohathite clans: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 

    The Merarite clans: Mahli and Mushi. 

These were the Levite clans, according to their families.

The Levites are to be counted. They fall into three clans: descendants of Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

Numbers 3:21-26, Gershonites

To Gershon belonged the clans of the Libnites and Shimeites; these were the Gershonite clans. The number of all the males a month old or more who were counted was 7,500. The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle.

The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael.  At the Tent of Meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle and tent, its coverings, the curtain at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, and the ropes--and everything related to their use.
 

There are 7500 male Gershonites. Here the count is of males at least a month old. They camp on the west side of the Tabernacle.

Numbers 3:27-31, Kohathites

To Kohath belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites; these were the Kohathite clans. The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. The Kohathites were responsible for the care of the sanctuary. The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle.

The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan son of Uzziel. They were responsible for the care of the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain, and everything related to their use.

There are 8600 male Kohathites. They camp on the south side of the Tabernacle.

Numbers 3:32, Eleazar

The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible for the care of the sanctuary.
 

Eleazar is chief Levite, after Aaron.

Numbers 3:33-37, Merarites

To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites; these were the Merarite clans. The number of all the males a month old or more who were counted was 6,200.
          

The leader of the families of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle. The Merarites were appointed to take care of the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use, as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs and ropes.

There are 6200 male descendants of Merari. They camp on the north side of the Tabernacle.

Numbers 3:38, Moses and Aaron

Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, in front of the Tent of Meeting. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.

Moses and Aaron and the sons of Aaron, camp on the east side of the tabernacle, at the front, towards the sunrise. They are the only ones allowed in this location -- anyone else who appears here will be put to death.

Numbers 3:39, A total

The total number of Levites counted at the LORD's command by Moses and Aaron according to their clans, including every male a month old or more, was 22,000.

The numbers 7500, 8600 and 6200 add up to 22,300. But the total given here is an even 22000. The easiest explanation for this discrepancy (says Wenham) is that the shesh (שֵׁשׁ, six) that appears in the number 8600 in verse 28, in the enumeration of Kohathite males, was originally a shalash (שָׁלַשׁ, three); thus the real number was 8300. It is easy to imagine a copyist dropping the lamed (לַ) in shalash at some point during the centuries of copying and recopying the Hebrew texts.

Numbers 3:40-48, Additional payment required

The LORD said to Moses, "Count all the firstborn Israelite males who are a month old or more and make a list of their names. Take the Levites for me in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites. I am the LORD."
            

So Moses counted all the firstborn of the Israelites, as the LORD commanded him. The total number of firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273.
          

The LORD also said to Moses, "Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites are to be mine. I am the LORD. To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites, collect five shekels for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. Give the money for the redemption of the additional Israelites to Aaron and his sons."

The Levites are to represent the firstborn sons, but here the total of firstborn sons exceed 20,000, the number of Levite males. So the people are to pay a ransom in shekels for the additional 273 firstborn sons.

We note that the sanctuary shekel shows up again.

Numbers 3:49-51, 1365 shekels

So Moses collected the redemption money from those who exceeded the number redeemed by the Levites. From the firstborn of the Israelites he collected silver weighing 1,365 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, as he was commanded by the word of the LORD.

The redemption money is collected.

First published September 3, 2025; updated September 3, 2025

Numbers 2, Marching Arrangement

(This DRAFT study has been done fairly quickly, without the further guide of commentaries. I hope to improve on it later.)

Moses has counted the Israelites as God commanded. The people prepare to move out of camp in an orderly fashion.

Numbers 2:1-9, On the east...

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: "The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting some distance from it, each man under his standard with the banners of his family."

On the east, toward the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard. The leader of the people of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab. His division numbers 74,600.
           

The tribe of Issachar will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Issachar is Nethanel son of Zuar. His division numbers 54,400.
          

The tribe of Zebulun will be next. The leader of the people of Zebulun is Eliab son of Helon. His division numbers 57,400.

All the men assigned to the camp of Judah, according to their divisions, number 186,400. They will set out first.
          

On the east, possibly leading the march, are three tribes, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. Their numbers agree with those of the last chapter and a total for all three tribes is given. The leaders of these three tribes are Nahshon (brother of Aaron's wife, Elisheba, Exodus 6:23), Nethanel (nathan+el = "given of God"), and Eliab (el+ab = "God of his father".)

One suggested translation of the Hebrew word eleph has been clan, not thousand. But thousand is the obvious interpretation here as the hundreds digit in the three numbers, 74600, 54400, and 57400, create a carry (6+4+4=14) that appears in the thousands digit in the total.

Numbers 2:10-16, On the south...

On the south will be the divisions of the camp of Reuben under their standard. The leader of the people of Reuben is Elizur son of Shedeur. His division numbers 46,500.

          

The tribe of Simeon will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Simeon is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. His division numbers 59,300.
          

The tribe of Gad will be next. The leader of the people of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel. His division numbers 45,650.
          

All the men assigned to the camp of Reuben, according to their divisions, number 151,450. They will set out second.

On the south side of the marching nation, are three tribes, Reuben, Simeon and Gad. Their numbers agree with those of the last chapter and a total for all three tribes is given. The leaders of Reuben, Simeon and Gad are Elizur, Sheumiel, and Eliasaph.

Numbers 2:17, The Levites

Then the Tent of Meeting and the camp of the Levites will set out in the middle of the camps. They will set out in the same order as they encamp, each in his own place under his standard.

The Levites, carrying the tabernacle, travel as a separate tribe, possibly in the center of the nation. Presumably the leader of the Levites is Aaron.

Numbers 2:18-24, On the west...

On the west will be the divisions of the camp of Ephraim under their standard. The leader of the people of Ephraim is Elishama son of Ammihud. His division numbers 40,500.
          

The tribe of Manasseh will be next to them. The leader of the people of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. His division numbers 32,200.
          

The tribe of Benjamin will be next. The leader of the people of Benjamin is Abidan son of Gideoni. His division numbers 35,400.

All the men assigned to the camp of Ephraim, according to their divisions, number 108,100. They will set out third.

On the west are three tribes, Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin. Their leaders are Elishama, Gamaliel and Abidan.

Numbers 2:25-31, On the north...

On the north will be the divisions of the camp of Dan, under their standard. The leader of the people of Dan is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. His division numbers 62,700.
          

The tribe of Asher will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Asher is Pagiel son of Ocran. His division numbers 41,500.
          

The tribe of Naphtali will be next. The leader of the people of Naphtali is Ahira son of Enan. His division numbers 53,400.
          

All the men assigned to the camp of Dan number 157,600. They will set out last, under their standards.

Finally, on the north, are three tribes, Dan, Asher and Naphtali. The leaders are Ahiezer, Pagiel and Ahira.

With these twelve leaders named, we have repeated the names given in Numbers 1:5-16.

Numbers 2:32-34, Summary

These are the Israelites, counted according to their families. All those in the camps, by their divisions, number 603,550. The Levites, however, were not counted along with the other Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.

 

So the Israelites did everything the LORD commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each with his clan and family.

With this arrangement, the twelve tribes are prepared to travel east and north, into Canaan.

First published September 2, 2025; updated September 11, 2025

Numbers 1, Number the People (DRAFT)

(This DRAFT study has been done fairly quickly, without the further guide of commentaries. I hope to improve on it later.)

Throughout the book of Leviticus, the people of Israel have been camped at Mt. Sinai. Now they prepare to move on toward Canaan. 

Numbers 1:1-4, Take a census

The LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. He said: "Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. You and Aaron are to number by their divisions all the men in Israel twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army.  One man from each tribe, each the head of his family, is to help you.

As the people organize to go to Canaan, Moses is ordered to take a census of all males of age twenty or more.

Numbers 1:5-16, Designated assistance

These are the names of the men who are to assist you: from Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur;

    from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai;
     from Judah, Nahshon son of Amminadab;
    from Issachar, Nethanel son of Zuar;
    from Zebulun, Eliab son of Helon;
    from the sons of Joseph: 

        from Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud; 

        from Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur;
    from Benjamin, Abidan son of Gideoni;
    from Dan, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai;
    from Asher, Pagiel son of Ocran;
    from Gad, Eliasaph son of Deuel;
    from Naphtali, Ahira son of Enan."

These were the men appointed from the community, the leaders of their ancestral tribes. They were the heads of the clans of Israel.

The leaders of twelve tribes are named. (The descendants of Joseph split into two tribes while the descendants of Levi, who will instead serve as priests, are left out.)

Numbers 1:17-19, Into individual clans

Moses and Aaron took these men whose names had been given, and they called the whole community together on the first day of the second month. The people indicated their ancestry by their clans and families, and the men twenty years old or more were listed by name, one by one, as the LORD commanded Moses.  And so he counted them in the Desert of Sinai: 

The people are organized into their individual clans, based on ancestry.

Numbers 1:20-21, Reuben's descendants

From the descendants of Reuben the firstborn son of Israel: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Reuben was 46,500.

Reuben's descendants, that is, the tribe of Reuben, numbers 46,500 males. As in previous numberings in Exodus and Deuteronomy, the word eleph here is interpreted as a thousand, although some commentators allow different interpretations of that number.

Numbers 1:22-23, Simeon

From the descendants of Simeon: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were counted and listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Simeon was 59,300.

The tribe of Simeon numbers 59300 (counting only adult males.)

The descendants of Reuben and Simeon are listed first; these were the two oldest sons of Jacob. But after that, this list does not seem to go in a particular order. After the third child, Levi, the sons of Jacob, in order, were Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad....

Numbers 1:24-25, Gad

From the descendants of Gad: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Gad was 45,650.
 

The tribe of Gad numbers 45650 (counting only adult males.)

Numbers 1:26-27, Judah

From the descendants of Judah: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Judah was 74,600.

The tribe of Judah numbers 74600 (counting only adult males.) This 9is the largest number in the list.

Numbers 1:28-29, Issachar

From the descendants of Issachar: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Issachar was 54,400.

The tribe of Issachar numbers 54400 (counting only adult males.)

Numbers 1:30-31, Zebulun

From the descendants of Zebulun: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Zebulun was 57,400.
 

The tribe of Zebulun numbers 57400 (counting only adult males.)

Numbers 1:32-35, Ephraim and Manasseh

From the sons of Joseph: From the descendants of Ephraim: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Ephraim was 40,500.

From the descendants of Manasseh: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Manasseh was 32,200.

The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, descendants of Josehp, number together 72,700, almost as much as Judah.

Numbers 1:36-37, Benjamin

From the descendants of Benjamin: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Benjamin was 35,400.

 

The small tribe of Benjamin numbers only 35400 (counting only adult males.)

Numbers 1:38-39, Dan

From the descendants of Dan: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Dan was 62,700.

 

The tribe of Dan numbers 62700 (counting only adult males.) This tribe is second in size to Judah.

Numbers 1:40-41, Asher

From the descendants of Asher: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Asher was 41,500.

The tribe of Asher numbers 41500 (counting only adult males.)

Numbers 1:42-43, Naphtali

From the descendants of Naphtali: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Naphtali was 53,400.

The tribe of Naphtali numbers 53400 (counting only adult males.)

Numbers 1:44-47, Total -- except for Levi

These were the men counted by Moses and Aaron and the twelve leaders of Israel, each one representing his family. All the Israelites twenty years old or more who were able to serve in Israel's army were counted according to their families. The total number was 603,550.

The families of the tribe of Levi, however, were not counted along with the others.

The numbers total to over 600,000 adult males, not counting the tribe of Levi. (We will see in the next chapter that the count of adult males in the tribe of Levi runs to just more than 22,000,)

Numbers 1:48-54, The role of the Levites

The LORD had said to Moses: "You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the census of the other Israelites. Instead, appoint the Levites to be in charge of the tabernacle of the Testimony--over all its furnishings and everything belonging to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they are to take care of it and encamp around it.

Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall do it. Anyone else who goes near it shall be put to death. The Israelites are to set up their tents by divisions, each man in his own camp under his own standard. The Levites, however, are to set up their tents around the tabernacle of the Testimony so that wrath will not fall on the Israelite community. The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the tabernacle of the Testimony."

The Israelites did all this just as the LORD commanded Moses.

The role of the Levites is special -- they are to pack and carry the tabernacle, and then unpack when they arrive at the next destination.

First published September 1, 2025; updated September 1, 2025