Numbers 1:47Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

But the Levites in the tribes of their families were not numbered with them.
Douay-Rheims

וְהַלְוִיִּ֖ם לְמַטֵּ֣ה אֲבֹתָ֑ם לֹ֥א הָתְפָּקְד֖וּ בְּתוֹכָֽם׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Wlastow G.K.

19th centuryCommentator

The Levites were assessed according to a distinct criterion. This tribe, chosen for divine service, included all males starting from one month old (Num. 3:15). Although the Levites were equipped with weapons (Ex. 32:27-28), they were not counted as part of the military but dedicated their efforts solely to the service in the Tabernacle.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.

Num 2:33And the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel: for so the Lord had commanded Moses.
Num 3:1These are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the Lord spoke to Moses in mount Sinai.
Num 4:49Moses reckoned them up according to the word of the Lord, every one according to their office and burdens, as the Lord had commanded him.
1 Chr 6:1The sons of Levi were Gerson, Caath, and Merari.
1 Chr 6:81Hesebon also with its suburbs, and Jazer with its suburbs.
Num 26:57This also is the number of the sons of Levi by their families: Gerson, of whom is the family of the Gersonites: Caath, of whom is the family of the Caathites: Merari, of whom is the family of the Merarites.
Num 26:62And all that were numbered, were twenty-three thousand males from one month old and upward: for they were not reckoned up among the children of Israel, neither was a possession given to them with the rest.
1 Chr 21:6But Levi and Benjamin he did not number: for Joab unwillingly executed the king's orders.