Numbers Chapter 3

At a Glance

  • Numbers 3 shifts from census and camp to the Levites’ unique role in service to the sanctuary.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Numbers 3 sits within the priestly portion of the Pentateuch, focusing on the Levitical assignment and the sanctity of worship.
  • - Sacred vocation and substitution: Levites are set apart to minister in place of firstborn Israel.
  • - Holiness and boundaries: The priests guard the sanctity of worship and the sanctuary.

Chapter Overview

Numbers 3 shifts from census and camp to the Levites’ unique role in service to the sanctuary. The chapter introduces the generations of Aaron’s descendants as the priestly line and recounts Nadab and Abihu’s death for offering “strange fire.” It then marks a pivotal pivot: the Levites are chosen in place of the firstborn, consecrated to God for service, so that Israel’s firstborn belong to the Lord. The Levites are set apart to assist the priesthood, guard the tabernacle, and maintain the sacred instruments. The chapter also outlines the gatekeeping duties: Levites are assigned to wait on their duties, maintaining the sanctuary and supporting the whole community in worship. The careful accounting and spiritual transfer emphasize a sacred economy of service and holiness, with a clear boundary between sacred and common, and a call to reverence for divine holiness.

Historical & Literary Context

Numbers 3 sits within the priestly portion of the Pentateuch, focusing on the Levitical assignment and the sanctity of worship. The narrative recalls Nadab and Abihu’s misstep, which underscores the seriousness of approaching God with reverence. The Levites’ substitution for the firstborn emphasizes God’s primacy in Israel’s identity and worship. This material reflects a concern for liturgical order, temple function, and the transmission of sacred duties across generations. The chapter blends genealogical detail with theological reflection on holiness, priestly mediation, and the special status of the Levite tribe.

Key Themes

- Sacred vocation and substitution: Levites are set apart to minister in place of firstborn Israel.

- Holiness and boundaries: The priests guard the sanctity of worship and the sanctuary.

- Priesthood and liturgical order: Aaron’s line and the Levites’ service define worship structure.

- Accountability before God: The Nadab and Abihu incident emphasizes reverence in approaching God.

- Transmission of sacred duty: A new generation steps into sacred responsibilities.

Modern Application

For contemporary readers, Numbers 3 underscores the seriousness of sacred service and the integrity required to lead in worship. It invites believers to consider how roles in the church—whether pastors, worship leaders, or volunteers—are not merely functional but sacred callings that require humility, accountability, and accountability to God. The Nadab and Abihu incident warns against casual or presumptuous worship, reminding communities to pursue reverence, proper discernment, and obedience. The levitical model also invites reflection on how communities allocate responsibilities—how to steward resources, protect sanctity, and ensure that those who serve are prepared and equipped. The chapter’s emphasis on service and presence in the sanctuary resonates with present-day practices of worship, sacred space, and the continuous call to holiness in leadership.

Cross-References (3-5 related passages)

- Leviticus 8–10 (priestly consecration and priestly conduct)

- Exodus 28–29 (priests’ garments and consecration)

- Deuteronomy 10 (Levites’ unique status)

- Acts 6 (service and organization in the early church)

Recommended Personas

- Moses (organization of the people and the law)

- Aaron (high priest and leadership)

- Jesus (fulfillment of priestly role in the new covenant)

- Paul (theology of service in the body of Christ)

Chapter Text

1

These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai.

2

And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

3

These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s office.

4

And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the sight of Aaron their father.

5

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

6

Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.

7

And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.

8

And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.

9

And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.

10

And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

11

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

12

And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;

13

Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.

14

And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,

15

Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, 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 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 Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

20

And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.

21

Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: 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 shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.

24

And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael.

25

And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,

26

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.

27

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

28

In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.

29

The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward.

30

And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.

31

And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.

32

And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have 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

And the chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail: these shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward.

36

And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto,

37

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

38

But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

39

All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand.

40

And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the 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 (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn 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 the LORD commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel.

43

And all the firstborn males by 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.

44

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

45

Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD.

46

And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;

47

Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:)

48

And thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons.

49

And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites:

50

Of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

51

And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

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