Numbers 26:62

Verse

The registration of the Levites totaled 23,000, every male a month old or more; they were not numbered among the other Israelites, because no inheritance was given to them among the Israelites.

American Standard Version (1901)

And they that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, every male from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.

Bible in Basic English

Of these, twenty-three thousand males, from one month old and over, were numbered: they were not numbered with the rest of the children of Israel, for they had no heritage among the children of Israel.

Free Bible Version

The number of the Levites censused totaled 23,000. This included every male one month old or older. However, they were not counted with the other Israelites, because no land allotment was given to them with the other Israelites.

King James (Authorized) Version

And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.

One Unity Resource Bible

Those who were counted of them were twenty-three thousand, every male from a month old and upward; for they were not counted among the children of Israel [God prevails], because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel [God prevails].

Translation for Translators

The leaders counted 23,000 men from the descendants of Levi who were at least one month old. But these men were not counted when the rest of the Israeli people were counted, because they were not given any land.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The males who were counted among them numbered twenty-three thousand, all males one month old and up. But they were not counted among Israel's descendants because no inheritance was given to them among the people of Israel.

Noah Webster Bible

World English Bible

Those who were counted of them were twenty-three thousand, every male from a month old and upward; for they were not counted among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation

And their numbered ones are three and twenty thousand, every male from a son of a month and upwards, for they have not numbered themselves in the midst of the sons of Israel; for an inheritance hath not been given to them in the midst of the sons of Israel.

Context

The Levites Numbered

⁶¹but Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD.⁶²The registration of the Levites totaled 23,000, every male a month old or more; they were not numbered among the other Israelites, because no inheritance was given to them among the Israelites.

Summary

Numbers 26:62 mentions that among the Israelites, there were no registered individuals from the Levites in the census taken in the wilderness of Sinai. This absence of Levites in the census was due to their unique role as priests and caretakers of the tabernacle, which exempted them from military service. The verse highlights the distinct position of the Levites within the community of Israel, emphasizing their sacred duties and separation for service to the Lord.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Tyndale

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

The Levites were not mustered along with the rest of the tribes of Israel, because the mustering took place with especial reference to the conquest of Canaan, and the Levites were not to receive any territory as a tribe (see at Num 18:20).