Numbers 3:14-20·~1 min

The Numbering of the Levites

In the wilderness of Sinai, the LORD tells Moses to count the Levites by family, including every male a month old or more. Moses carries out the command as given.

T¹⁴hen the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying, ¹⁵“Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.” ¹⁶So Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he had been commanded.

The three sons of Levi are named, and each line's clans are listed in turn: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The tribe's internal structure is laid out before their separate assignments appear.

¹⁷These were the sons of Levi by name: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. ¹⁸These were the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei. ¹⁹The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. ²⁰And the sons of Merari by their clans were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites, according to their families.

Section summaryThe LORD commands Moses to count the Levites by clan, including every male a month old or more. The section then names Levi's three sons and the clan lines that come from each of them.

Role in the chapterThis brief movement turns Levi's calling into an ordered census. It prepares for the detailed placement and duty lists that follow for each clan.