02.20.2015 Old Testament: Num 3.17–22

To read the Bible in a year, read Numbers 3–4 on February 20, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

I used to say that the number of Levites coming out of Egypt was unknown, but I concluded that because I had not read my Bible carefully. Truly, the Lord did want the Levites counted, but in a different way and separate from the rest of the nation. When He ordered the numbering of the other tribes, He only wanted the warriors counted, which would be the men over 20 years of age, but see something different with the Levites,

These were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei. And the sons of Kohath by their families: Amram, Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel. And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites by their fathers’ houses. From Gershon came the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimites; these were the families of the Gershonites. Those who were numbered, according to the number of all the males from a month old and above—of those who were numbered there were seven thousand five hundred (Numbers 3.17–22). 

The text goes on to list the numbers of the rest of the families of the tribe of Levi. The Lord wanted the count for the Levites to begin with the males a month old and above.

Be sure to read all biblical texts carefully, and do not merely repeat what you hear others say. They may speak the truth, but verify it with Scripture.