Numbers 3 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

1. Preparing to leave Sinai (1:1–10:10) * Counting and assembling the tribes (1:1–4:49)This chapter describes the counting of Levite men and their assignments for taking care of the tent of meeting. It also describes how the Levites and their animals act as ransoms for the firstborn Israelites and the Israelites’ firstborn animals.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

The tribe of Levi

The Levites had a special role in Israel, which is why they were not included in the census in chapters 1 and 2. They were specially dedicated to serve Yahweh and to keep and serve the sacred tent. They also functioned as a ransom for the firstborn Israelites and the firstborn animals of the Israelites. See the following entries for more information on the specific roles the Levites fulfilled.

Keep

One of the primary duties of the Levites was to “keep” various things, including Aaron, the Israelites, and the parts of the sacred tent. In this context, “keep” refers specifically to keeping watch or guarding. No one besides the Levites was supposed to approach the sacred tent or do any priestly duties. So, the Levites guarded the sacred tent and the Israelites to prevent any non-Levite from approaching. Consider how to refer to this type of guard duty.

Serve

One of the primary duties of the Levites was to “serve.” In this context, “serve” refers specifically to physical labor, including carrying, setting up, and tearing down the sacred tent and its equipment. There is more information about the physical labor required of the Levites in Numbers 4. Consider how to refer to this type of physical labor.

Ransom

In [3:45](../03/45.md)–[51](../03/51.md), Yahweh requires the Israelites to pay a ransom to him for the firstborn males that he did not kill during the tenth plague in Egypt, as described in [Exodus 12:29](../exo/12/29.md) and [13:15](../exo/13/15.md). Because Yahweh did not kill the firstborn male people and animals among the Israelites, he considered them to owe him their lives. Instead of taking their lives, Yahweh chose the Levite men to be his special servants in their place. However, the number of Levites was 273 people less than the number of firstborn males, so Yahweh required the people to pay money to him to redeem those additional people. (See: ransom and redeem)

“House of the father” and “clan”

The phrase “house of the father” and the word “clan” refer to divisions of an Israelite tribe. In Numbers, the “house of the father” was the larger division, and each “house of the father” contained several “clans.” For example, one “house of the father” within the tribe of Levi was named after Levi’s son, Gershon. Within the “house of the father” of the Gershonites were two clans named after Gershon’s sons (Levi’s grandsons): Libni and Shimei. Consider how you might refer to tribal divisions within other tribal divisions. (See: clan)

Firstborn

Throughout this chapter, the word “firstborn” always refers to the oldest male child or offspring of a human or animal. Sometimes the word “male” is explicitly included, and other times it is implied. Use a word or phrase that clearly refers to the oldest male child or offspring. (See: firstborn)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

“From a son of a month and upward”

Many instructions in this chapter apply only to the Levites who qualify as “from a son of a month and upward.” This phrase refers to people who are at least one month old. They could be young or old, but they must have lived for at least one month after their birth. Consider how you might refer to anyone who is one month old or older. (See: figs-idiom)

“Keep the keeping” and “serve the service”

Multiple times in this chapter, Yahweh or the narrator uses a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. They do this for emphasis. The two specific phrases are “keep the keeping” and “serve the service.” You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of showing the emphasis. Consider how you might emphasize the completeness of the “keeping” and “serving.” (See: writing-poetry)