47 But the Levites H3881 after the tribe H4294 of their fathers H1 were not numbered H6485 among H8432 them.
But the Levites H3881 were not numbered H6485 among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel; H3478 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872
And these are they that were numbered H6485 of the Levites H3881 after their families: H4940 of Gershon, H1648 the family H4940 of the Gershonites: H1649 of Kohath, H6955 the family H4940 of the Kohathites: H6956 of Merari, H4847 the family H4940 of the Merarites. H4848 These are the families H4940 of the Levites: H3881 the family H4940 of the Libnites, H3846 the family H4940 of the Hebronites, H2276 the family H4940 of the Mahlites, H4250 the family H4940 of the Mushites, H4188 the family H4940 of the Korathites. H7145 And Kohath H6955 begat H3205 Amram. H6019 And the name H8034 of Amram's H6019 wife H802 was Jochebed, H3115 the daughter H1323 of Levi, H3878 whom her mother bare H3205 to Levi H3878 in Egypt: H4714 and she bare H3205 unto Amram H6019 Aaron H175 and Moses, H4872 and Miriam H4813 their sister. H269 And unto Aaron H175 was born H3205 Nadab, H5070 and Abihu, H30 Eleazar, H499 and Ithamar. H385 And Nadab H5070 and Abihu H30 died, H4191 when they offered H7126 strange H2114 fire H784 before H6440 the LORD. H3068 And those that were numbered H6485 of them were twenty H6242 and three H7969 thousand, H505 all males H2145 from a month H2320 old H1121 and upward: H4605 for they were not numbered H6485 among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 because there was no inheritance H5159 given H5414 them among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel. H3478
The sons H1121 of Levi; H3878 Gershon, H1648 Kohath, H6955 and Merari. H4847 And the sons H1121 of Kohath; H6955 Amram, H6019 Izhar, H3324 and Hebron, H2275 and Uzziel. H5816 And the children H1121 of Amram; H6019 Aaron, H175 and Moses, H4872 and Miriam. H4813 The sons H1121 also of Aaron; H175 Nadab, H5070 and Abihu, H30 Eleazar, H499 and Ithamar. H385 Eleazar H499 begat H3205 Phinehas, H6372 Phinehas H6372 begat H3205 Abishua, H50 And Abishua H50 begat H3205 Bukki, H1231 and Bukki H1231 begat H3205 Uzzi, H5813 And Uzzi H5813 begat H3205 Zerahiah, H2228 and Zerahiah H2228 begat H3205 Meraioth, H4812 Meraioth H4812 begat H3205 Amariah, H568 and Amariah H568 begat H3205 Ahitub, H285 And Ahitub H285 begat H3205 Zadok, H6659 and Zadok H6659 begat H3205 Ahimaaz, H290 And Ahimaaz H290 begat H3205 Azariah, H5838 and Azariah H5838 begat H3205 Johanan, H3110 And Johanan H3110 begat H3205 Azariah, H5838 (he it is that executed the priest's office H3547 in the temple H1004 that Solomon H8010 built H1129 in Jerusalem:) H3389 And Azariah H5838 begat H3205 Amariah, H568 and Amariah H568 begat H3205 Ahitub, H285 And Ahitub H285 begat H3205 Zadok, H6659 and Zadok H6659 begat H3205 Shallum, H7967 And Shallum H7967 begat H3205 Hilkiah, H2518 and Hilkiah H2518 begat H3205 Azariah, H5838 And Azariah H5838 begat H3205 Seraiah, H8304 and Seraiah H8304 begat H3205 Jehozadak, H3087 And Jehozadak H3087 went H1980 into captivity, when the LORD H3068 carried away H1540 Judah H3063 and Jerusalem H3389 by the hand H3027 of Nebuchadnezzar. H5019 The sons H1121 of Levi; H3878 Gershom, H1647 Kohath, H6955 and Merari. H4847 And these be the names H8034 of the sons H1121 of Gershom; H1647 Libni, H3845 and Shimei. H8096 And the sons H1121 of Kohath H6955 were, Amram, H6019 and Izhar, H3324 and Hebron, H2275 and Uzziel. H5816 The sons H1121 of Merari; H4847 Mahli, H4249 and Mushi. H4187 And these are the families H4940 of the Levites H3881 according to their fathers. H1 Of Gershom; H1647 Libni H3845 his son, H1121 Jahath H3189 his son, H1121 Zimmah H2155 his son, H1121 Joah H3098 his son, H1121 Iddo H5714 his son, H1121 Zerah H2226 his son, H1121 Jeaterai H2979 his son. H1121 The sons H1121 of Kohath; H6955 Amminadab H5992 his son, H1121 Korah H7141 his son, H1121 Assir H617 his son, H1121 Elkanah H511 his son, H1121 and Ebiasaph H43 his son, H1121 and Assir H617 his son, H1121 Tahath H8480 his son, H1121 Uriel H222 his son, H1121 Uzziah H5818 his son, H1121 and Shaul H7586 his son. H1121 And the sons H1121 of Elkanah; H511 Amasai, H6022 and Ahimoth. H287 As for Elkanah: H511 the sons H1121 of Elkanah; H511 Zophai H6689 his son, H1121 and Nahath H5184 his son, H1121 Eliab H446 his son, H1121 Jeroham H3395 his son, H1121 Elkanah H511 his son. H1121 And the sons H1121 of Samuel; H8050 the firstborn H1060 Vashni, H2059 and Abiah. H29 The sons H1121 of Merari; H4847 Mahli, H4249 Libni H3845 his son, H1121 Shimei H8096 his son, H1121 Uzza H5798 his son, H1121 Shimea H8092 his son, H1121 Haggiah H2293 his son, H1121 Asaiah H6222 his son. H1121 And these are they whom David H1732 set H5975 over the service H3027 of song H7892 in the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 after that the ark H727 had rest. H4494 And they ministered H8334 before H6440 the dwelling H4908 place of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation H4150 with singing, H7892 until Solomon H8010 had built H1129 the house H1004 of the LORD H3068 in Jerusalem: H3389 and then they waited H5975 on their office H5656 according to their order. H4941 And these are they that waited H5975 with their children. H1121 Of the sons H1121 of the Kohathites: H6956 Heman H1968 a singer, H7891 the son H1121 of Joel, H3100 the son H1121 of Shemuel, H8050 The son H1121 of Elkanah, H511 the son H1121 of Jeroham, H3395 the son H1121 of Eliel, H447 the son H1121 of Toah, H8430 The son H1121 of Zuph, H6689 the son H1121 of Elkanah, H511 the son H1121 of Mahath, H4287 the son H1121 of Amasai, H6022 The son H1121 of Elkanah, H511 the son H1121 of Joel, H3100 the son H1121 of Azariah, H5838 the son H1121 of Zephaniah, H6846 The son H1121 of Tahath, H8480 the son H1121 of Assir, H617 the son H1121 of Ebiasaph, H43 the son H1121 of Korah, H7141 The son H1121 of Izhar, H3324 the son H1121 of Kohath, H6955 the son H1121 of Levi, H3878 the son H1121 of Israel. H3478 And his brother H251 Asaph, H623 who stood H5975 on his right hand, H3225 even Asaph H623 the son H1121 of Berachiah, H1296 the son H1121 of Shimea, H8092 The son H1121 of Michael, H4317 the son H1121 of Baaseiah, H1202 the son H1121 of Malchiah, H4441 The son H1121 of Ethni, H867 the son H1121 of Zerah, H2226 the son H1121 of Adaiah, H5718 The son H1121 of Ethan, H387 the son H1121 of Zimmah, H2155 the son H1121 of Shimei, H8096 The son H1121 of Jahath, H3189 the son H1121 of Gershom, H1647 the son H1121 of Levi. H3878 And their brethren H251 the sons H1121 of Merari H4847 stood on the left hand: H8040 Ethan H387 the son H1121 of Kishi, H7029 the son H1121 of Abdi, H5660 the son H1121 of Malluch, H4409 The son H1121 of Hashabiah, H2811 the son H1121 of Amaziah, H558 the son H1121 of Hilkiah, H2518 The son H1121 of Amzi, H557 the son H1121 of Bani, H1137 the son H1121 of Shamer, H8106 The son H1121 of Mahli, H4249 the son H1121 of Mushi, H4187 the son H1121 of Merari, H4847 the son H1121 of Levi. H3878 Their brethren H251 also the Levites H3881 were appointed H5414 unto all manner of service H5656 of the tabernacle H4908 of the house H1004 of God. H430 But Aaron H175 and his sons H1121 offered H6999 upon the altar H4196 of the burnt offering, H5930 and on the altar H4196 of incense, H7004 and were appointed for all the work H4399 of the place most H6944 holy, H6944 and to make an atonement H3722 for Israel, H3478 according to all that Moses H4872 the servant H5650 of God H430 had commanded. H6680 And these are the sons H1121 of Aaron; H175 Eleazar H499 his son, H1121 Phinehas H6372 his son, H1121 Abishua H50 his son, H1121 Bukki H1231 his son, H1121 Uzzi H5813 his son, H1121 Zerahiah H2228 his son, H1121 Meraioth H4812 his son, H1121 Amariah H568 his son, H1121 Ahitub H285 his son, H1121 Zadok H6659 his son, H1121 Ahimaaz H290 his son. H1121 Now these are their dwelling places H4186 throughout their castles H2918 in their coasts, H1366 of the sons H1121 of Aaron, H175 of the families H4940 of the Kohathites: H6956 for theirs was the lot. H1486 And they gave H5414 them Hebron H2275 in the land H776 of Judah, H3063 and the suburbs H4054 thereof round about H5439 it. But the fields H7704 of the city, H5892 and the villages H2691 thereof, they gave H5414 to Caleb H3612 the son H1121 of Jephunneh. H3312 And to the sons H1121 of Aaron H175 they gave H5414 the cities H5892 of Judah, namely, Hebron, H2275 the city of refuge, H4733 and Libnah H3841 with her suburbs, H4054 and Jattir, H3492 and Eshtemoa, H851 with their suburbs, H4054 And Hilen H2432 with her suburbs, H4054 Debir H1688 with her suburbs, H4054 And Ashan H6228 with her suburbs, H4054 and Bethshemesh H1053 with her suburbs: H4054 And out of the tribe H4294 of Benjamin; H1144 Geba H1387 with her suburbs, H4054 and Alemeth H5964 with her suburbs, H4054 and Anathoth H6068 with her suburbs. H4054 All their cities H5892 throughout their families H4940 were thirteen H7969 H6240 cities. H5892 And unto the sons H1121 of Kohath, H6955 which were left H3498 of the family H4940 of that tribe, H4294 were cities given out of the half H2677 tribe, H4294 namely, out of the half H4276 tribe of Manasseh, H4519 by lot, H1486 ten H6235 cities. H5892 And to the sons H1121 of Gershom H1647 throughout their families H4940 out of the tribe H4294 of Issachar, H3485 and out of the tribe H4294 of Asher, H836 and out of the tribe H4294 of Naphtali, H5321 and out of the tribe H4294 of Manasseh H4519 in Bashan, H1316 thirteen H7969 H6240 cities. H5892 Unto the sons H1121 of Merari H4847 were given by lot, H1486 throughout their families, H4940 out of the tribe H4294 of Reuben, H7205 and out of the tribe H4294 of Gad, H1410 and out of the tribe H4294 of Zebulun, H2074 twelve H8147 H6240 cities. H5892 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 gave H5414 to the Levites H3881 these cities H5892 with their suburbs. H4054 And they gave H5414 by lot H1486 out of the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Judah, H3063 and out of the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Simeon, H8095 and out of the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Benjamin, H1144 these cities, H5892 which are called H7121 by their names. H8034 And the residue of the families H4940 of the sons H1121 of Kohath H6955 had cities H5892 of their coasts H1366 out of the tribe H4294 of Ephraim. H669 And they gave H5414 unto them, of the cities H5892 of refuge, H4733 Shechem H7927 in mount H2022 Ephraim H669 with her suburbs; H4054 they gave also Gezer H1507 with her suburbs, H4054 And Jokmeam H3361 with her suburbs, H4054 and Bethhoron H1032 with her suburbs, H4054 And Aijalon H357 with her suburbs, H4054 and Gathrimmon H1667 with her suburbs: H4054 And out of the half H4276 tribe H4294 of Manasseh; H4519 Aner H6063 with her suburbs, H4054 and Bileam H1109 with her suburbs, H4054 for the family H4940 of the remnant H3498 of the sons H1121 of Kohath. H6955 Unto the sons H1121 of Gershom H1647 were given out of the family H4940 of the half H2677 tribe H4294 of Manasseh, H4519 Golan H1474 in Bashan H1316 with her suburbs, H4054 and Ashtaroth H6252 with her suburbs: H4054 And out of the tribe H4294 of Issachar; H3485 Kedesh H6943 with her suburbs, H4054 Daberath H1705 with her suburbs, H4054 And Ramoth H7216 with her suburbs, H4054 and Anem H6046 with her suburbs: H4054 And out of the tribe H4294 of Asher; H836 Mashal H4913 with her suburbs, H4054 and Abdon H5658 with her suburbs, H4054 And Hukok H2712 with her suburbs, H4054 and Rehob H7340 with her suburbs: H4054 And out of the tribe H4294 of Naphtali; H5321 Kedesh H6943 in Galilee H1551 with her suburbs, H4054 and Hammon H2540 with her suburbs, H4054 and Kirjathaim H7156 with her suburbs. H4054 Unto the rest H3498 of the children H1121 of Merari H4847 were given out of the tribe H4294 of Zebulun, H2074 Rimmon H7417 with her suburbs, H4054 Tabor H8396 with her suburbs: H4054 And on the other side H5676 Jordan H3383 by Jericho, H3405 on the east side H4217 of Jordan, H3383 were given them out of the tribe H4294 of Reuben, H7205 Bezer H1221 in the wilderness H4057 with her suburbs, H4054 and Jahzah H3096 with her suburbs, H4054 Kedemoth H6932 also with her suburbs, H4054 and Mephaath H4158 with her suburbs: H4054 And out of the tribe H4294 of Gad; H1410 Ramoth H7216 in Gilead H1568 with her suburbs, H4054 and Mahanaim H4266 with her suburbs, H4054 And Heshbon H2809 with her suburbs, H4054 and Jazer H3270 with her suburbs. H4054
From twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that are able to go forth H3318 to war H6635 in Israel: H3478 thou and Aaron H175 shall number H6485 them by their armies. H6635
But thou shalt appoint H6485 the Levites H3881 over the tabernacle H4908 of testimony, H5715 and over all the vessels H3627 thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear H5375 the tabernacle, H4908 and all the vessels H3627 thereof; and they shall minister H8334 unto it, and shall encamp H2583 round about H5439 the tabernacle. H4908
And the LORD H3068 spake H1696 unto Moses, H4872 saying, H559 Speak H1696 unto Aaron, H175 and say H559 unto him, When thou lightest H5927 the lamps, H5216 the seven H7651 lamps H5216 shall give light H215 over against H6440 H4136 the candlestick. H4501 And Aaron H175 did H6213 so; he lighted H5927 the lamps H5216 thereof over against H4136 H6440 the candlestick, H4501 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872 And this work H4639 of the candlestick H4501 was of beaten H4749 gold, H2091 unto the shaft H3409 thereof, unto the flowers H6525 thereof, was beaten work: H4749 according unto the pattern H4758 which the LORD H3068 had shewed H7200 Moses, H4872 so he made H6213 the candlestick. H4501 And the LORD H3068 spake H1696 unto Moses, H4872 saying, H559 Take H3947 the Levites H3881 from among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 and cleanse H2891 them. And thus shalt thou do H6213 unto them, to cleanse H2891 them: Sprinkle H5137 water H4325 of purifying H2403 upon them, and let them shave H8593 H5674 all their flesh, H1320 and let them wash H3526 their clothes, H899 and so make themselves clean. H2891 Then let them take H3947 a young H1121 H1241 bullock H6499 with his meat offering, H4503 even fine flour H5560 mingled H1101 with oil, H8081 and another H8145 young H1121 H1241 bullock H6499 shalt thou take H3947 for a sin offering. H2403 And thou shalt bring H7126 the Levites H3881 before H6440 the tabernacle H168 of the congregation: H4150 and thou shalt gather H6950 the whole assembly H5712 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478 together: H6950 And thou shalt bring H7126 the Levites H3881 before H6440 the LORD: H3068 and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 shall put H5564 their hands H3027 upon the Levites: H3881 And Aaron H175 shall offer H5130 the Levites H3881 before H6440 the LORD H3068 for an offering H8573 of the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 that they may execute H5647 the service H5656 of the LORD. H3068 And the Levites H3881 shall lay H5564 their hands H3027 upon the heads H7218 of the bullocks: H6499 and thou shalt offer H6213 the one H259 for a sin offering, H2403 and the other H259 for a burnt offering, H5930 unto the LORD, H3068 to make an atonement H3722 for the Levites. H3881 And thou shalt set H5975 the Levites H3881 before H6440 Aaron, H175 and before H6440 his sons, H1121 and offer H5130 them for an offering H8573 unto the LORD. H3068 Thus shalt thou separate H914 the Levites H3881 from among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel: H3478 and the Levites H3881 shall be mine. And after H310 that shall the Levites H3881 go in H935 to do the service H5647 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation: H4150 and thou shalt cleanse H2891 them, and offer H5130 them for an offering. H8573 For they are wholly given H5414 unto me from among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel; H3478 instead of such as open H6363 every womb, H7358 even instead of the firstborn H1060 of all the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 have I taken H3947 them unto me. For all the firstborn H1060 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478 are mine, both man H120 and beast: H929 on the day H3117 that I smote H5221 every firstborn H1060 in the land H776 of Egypt H4714 I sanctified H6942 them for myself. And I have taken H3947 the Levites H3881 for all the firstborn H1060 of the children H1121 of Israel. H3478 And I have given H5414 the Levites H3881 as a gift H5414 to Aaron H175 and to his sons H1121 from among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 to do H5647 the service H5656 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and to make an atonement H3722 for the children H1121 of Israel: H3478 that there be no plague H5063 among the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 when the children H1121 of Israel H3478 come nigh H5066 unto the sanctuary. H6944 And Moses, H4872 and Aaron, H175 and all the congregation H5712 of the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 did H6213 to the Levites H3881 according unto all that the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses H4872 concerning the Levites, H3881 so did H6213 the children H1121 of Israel H3478 unto them. And the Levites H3881 were purified, H2398 and they washed H3526 their clothes; H899 and Aaron H175 offered H5130 them as an offering H8573 before H6440 the LORD; H3068 and Aaron H175 made an atonement H3722 for them to cleanse H2891 them. And after H310 that went H935 the Levites H3881 in to do H5647 their service H5656 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation H4150 before H6440 Aaron, H175 and before H6440 his sons: H1121 as the LORD H3068 had commanded H6680 Moses H4872 concerning the Levites, H3881 so did H6213 they unto them. And the LORD H3068 spake H1696 unto Moses, H4872 saying, H559 This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: H3881 from twenty H6242 and five H2568 years H8141 old H1121 and upward H4605 they shall go in H935 to wait H6633 H6635 upon the service H5656 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation: H4150 And from the age H1121 of fifty H2572 years H8141 they shall cease H7725 waiting H6635 upon the service H5656 thereof, and shall serve H5647 no more: But shall minister H8334 with their brethren H251 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 to keep H8104 the charge, H4931 and shall do H5647 no service. H5656 Thus shalt thou do H6213 unto the Levites H3881 touching their charge. H4931
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Numbers 1
Commentary on Numbers 1 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 1
Nu 1:1-54. Moses Numbering the Men of War.
1, 2. on the first day of the second month, &c.—Thirteen months had elapsed since the exodus. About one month had been occupied in the journey; and the rest of the period had been passed in encampment among the recesses of Sinai, where the transactions took place, and the laws, religious and civil, were promulgated, which are contained in the two preceding books. As the tabernacle was erected on the first day of the first month, and the order here mentioned was given on the first day of the second, some think the laws in Leviticus were all given in one month. The Israelites having been formed into a separate nation, under the special government of God as their King, it was necessary, before resuming their march towards the promised land, to put them into good order. And accordingly Moses was commissioned, along with Aaron, to take a census of the people. This census was incidentally noticed (Ex 38:26), in reference to the poll tax for the works of the tabernacle; but it is here described in detail, in order to show the relative increase and military strength of the different tribes. The enumeration was confined to those capable of bearing arms [Nu 1:3], and it was to be made with a careful distinction of the tribe, family, and household to which every individual belonged. By this rule of summation many important advantages were secured: an exact genealogical register was formed, the relative strength of each tribe was ascertained, and the reason found for arranging the order of precedence in march as well as disposing the different tribes in camp around the tabernacle. The promise of God to Abraham [Ge 22:17] was seen to be fulfilled in the extraordinary increase of his posterity, and provision made for tracing the regular descent of the Messiah.
3. Aaron shall number them by their armies—or companies. In their departure from Egypt they were divided into five grand companies (Ex 13:18), but from the sojourn in the wilderness to the passage of the Jordan, they were formed into four great divisions. The latter is here referred to.
4-16. with you there shall be a man of every tribe, &c.—The social condition of the Israelites in the wilderness bore a close resemblance to that of the nomad tribes of the East in the present day. The head of the tribe was a hereditary dignity, vested in the oldest son or some other to whom the right of primogeniture was transferred, and under whom were other inferior heads, also hereditary, among the different branches of the tribe. The Israelites being divided into twelve tribes, there were twelve chiefs appointed to assist in taking the census of the people.
5. these are the names of the men that shall stand with you, &c.—Each is designated by adding the name of the ancestors of his tribe, the people of which were called "Beni-Reuben," "Beni-Levi," sons of Reuben, sons of Levi, according to the custom of the Arabs still, as well as other nations which are divided into clans, as the Macs of Scotland, the Aps of Wales, and the O's and the Fitzes of Ireland [Chalmers].
16-18. These were the renowned—literally, "the called" of the congregation, summoned by name; and they entered upon the survey the very day the order was given.
18. by their polls—individually, one by one.
19. As the Lord commanded Moses, &c.—The numbering of the people was not an act sinful in itself, as Moses did it by divine appointment; but David incurred guilt by doing it without the authority of God. (See on 2Sa 24:10).
20-44. These are those that were numbered—In this registration the tribe of Judah appears the most numerous; and accordingly, as the pre-eminence had been assigned to it by Jacob [Ge 49:8-12], it got the precedence in all the encampments of Israel. Of the two half-tribes of Joseph, who is seen to be "a fruitful bough" [Ge 49:22], that of Ephraim was the larger, as had been predicted. The relative increase of all, as in the two just mentioned, was owing to the special blessing of God, conformably to the prophetic declaration of the dying patriarch. But the divine blessing is usually conveyed through the influence of secondary causes; and there is reason to believe that the relative populousness of the tribes would, under God, depend upon the productiveness of the respective localities assigned to them. [For tabular chart, see on Nu 26:64.]
45, 46. all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand, &c.—What an astonishing increase from seventy-five persons who went down to Egypt about two hundred fifteen years before [see on Ge 46:8], and who were subjected to the greatest privations and hardships! And yet this enumeration was restricted to men from twenty years and upwards [Nu 1:3]. Including women, children, and old men, together with the Levites, the whole population of Israel, on the ordinary principles of computation, amounted to about 2,400,000.
47-54. But the Levites … were not numbered among them—They were obliged to keep a register of their own. They were consecrated to the priestly office, which in all countries has been exempted customarily, and in Israel by the express authority of God, from military service. The custody of the things devoted to the divine service was assigned to them so exclusively, that "no stranger"—that is, no person, not even an Israelite of any other tribe, was allowed, under penalty of death, to approach these [Nu 16:40]. Hence they encamped round the tabernacle in order that there should be no manifestation of the divine displeasure among the people. Thus the numbering of the people was subservient to the separation of the Levites from those Israelites who were fit for military service, and to the practical introduction of the law respecting the first-born, for whom the tribe of Levi became a substitute [Ex 13:2; Nu 3:12].