Numbers 3:16
Numbers 3:16 in Multiple Translations
So Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he had been commanded.
And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.
And Moses numbered them according to the word of Jehovah, as he was commanded.
So Moses did as the Lord said, numbering them as he had been ordered.
So Moses registered them following the Lord's instructions, just as he had been told.
Then Moses nombred them according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded.
And Moses numbereth them according to the command of Jehovah, as he hath been commanded.
Moses counted them according to the LORD’s word, as he was commanded.
And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.
Moses numbered them as the Lord had commanded.
So Moses/I counted them, just as Yahweh commanded.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 3:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 3:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּפְקֹ֥ד
אֹתָ֛/ם
מֹשֶׁ֖ה
עַל
פִּ֣י
יְהוָ֑ה
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֖ר
צֻוָּֽה
וַ/יִּפְקֹ֥ד
pâqad
H6485
to reckon
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֹתָ֛/ם
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
מֹשֶׁ֖ה
Môsheh
H4872
Moses
N-proper
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
פִּ֣י
peh
H6310
lip
N-ms
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Prep | Rel
צֻוָּֽה
tsâvâh
H6680
to command
V-Pual-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 3:16
וַ/יִּפְקֹ֥ד
pâqad
H6485
"to reckon"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This word means to visit or oversee, and can imply a range of actions, from friendly to hostile. It is used in various contexts, including appointing, avenging, or delivering something into someone's care. The KJV translates it in many ways, including appoint, avenge, or commit.
Definition: : list/count 1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pay attention to, observe 1a2) to attend to 1a3) to seek, look about for 1a4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack 1a5) to visit 1a6) to visit upon, punish 1a7) to pass in review, muster, number 1a8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking 1b2) to be visited 1b3) to be visited upon 1b4) to be appointed 1b5) to be watched over 1c) (Piel) to muster, call up 1d) (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer 1e2) to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be visited 1f2) to be deposited 1f3) to be made overseer, be entrusted 1g) (Hithpael) numbered 1h) (Hothpael) numbered
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. See also: Genesis 21:1; Numbers 26:47; Psalms 8:5.
אֹתָ֛/ם
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מֹשֶׁ֖ה
Môsheh
H4872
"Moses"
N-proper
Moses, the Israelite leader, was born to Amram and Jochebed and led the Exodus from Egypt. He received the law from God and is considered a key figure in the Bible. Moses means 'drawn' in Hebrew.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) § Moses = "drawn" the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus
Usage: Occurs in 704 OT verses. KJV: Moses. See also: Exodus 2:10; Exodus 13:1; Exodus 32:21.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
פִּ֣י
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Prep | Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
צֻוָּֽה
tsâvâh
H6680
"to command"
V-Pual-Perf-3ms
To command or give orders, as seen in the Bible when God gives charge to his people. It can also mean to appoint or ordain someone for a task. This word is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order 1a)(Piel) 1a1) to lay charge upon 1a2) to give charge to, give command to 1a3) to give charge unto 1a4) to give charge over, appoint 1a5) to give charge, command 1a6) to charge, command 1a7) to charge, commission 1a8) to command, appoint, ordain (of divine act) 1b) (Pual) to be commanded
Usage: Occurs in 475 OT verses. KJV: appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 10:13; Deuteronomy 12:11.
Study Notes — Numbers 3:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Numbering of the Levites
14Then 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.
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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 3:39 | The total number of Levites that Moses and Aaron counted by their clans at the LORD’s command, including all the males a month old or more, was 22,000. |
| 2 | Numbers 4:37 | These were counted from the Kohathite clans, everyone who could serve at the Tent of Meeting. Moses and Aaron numbered them according to the command of the LORD through Moses. |
| 3 | Numbers 4:49 | At the LORD’s command they were numbered through Moses and each one was assigned his work and burden, as the LORD had commanded Moses. |
| 4 | Numbers 4:45 | These were counted from the Merarite clans, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the LORD’s command through Moses. |
| 5 | Numbers 4:41 | These were counted from the Gershonite clans who served at the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted at the LORD’s command. |
| 6 | Numbers 4:27 | All the service of the Gershonites—all their transport duties and other work—is to be done at the direction of Aaron and his sons; you are to assign to them all that they are responsible to carry. |
| 7 | Numbers 3:51 | And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons in obedience to the word of the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded him. |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 21:5 | And the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to serve Him and pronounce blessings in His name and to give a ruling in every dispute and case of assault. |
| 9 | Genesis 45:21 | So the sons of Israel did as they were told. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh had instructed, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. |
Numbers 3:16 Summary
In Numbers 3:16, Moses is counting the Levites, just like God told him to. This shows that Moses trusts and obeys God, even when it might seem like a big task. We can learn from Moses' example by trusting God and following His plan for our lives, just like it says in Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 3:5-6. By doing so, we can demonstrate our faith and obedience to God, just like Moses did in this verse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'number' the Levites in Numbers 3:16?
In this context, 'numbering' the Levites means to count and record them, as the Lord commanded Moses in Numbers 3:15, similar to when God instructed Moses to take a census of the people of Israel in Exodus 30:12 and Numbers 1:2-3.
Why was it important for Moses to follow the Lord's command to number the Levites?
Moses' obedience to the Lord's command demonstrates his trust and faith in God's plan, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:2, where Moses recalls the wilderness journey and the importance of following God's commands.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of the book of Numbers?
This verse is part of the Lord's instructions to Moses regarding the organization and roles of the Levites, which is a central theme in the book of Numbers, as seen in Numbers 3:1-10 and Numbers 8:5-26.
What can we learn from Moses' example of obedience in this verse?
Moses' obedience to the Lord's command teaches us the importance of trusting and following God's plan, even when we may not fully understand it, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Reflection Questions
- How can I demonstrate obedience to God's commands in my own life, even when it's challenging?
- What are some areas where I may be hesitant to follow God's plan, and how can I trust Him more?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of numbering and accounting for my own spiritual gifts and resources, as seen in this verse?
- How can I, like Moses, prioritize following God's commands and instructions in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 3:16
And Moses numbered them according to the word of the Lord,.... Took the account of all of a month old in the several houses and families of the tribe of Levi; though Moses is only here mentioned, yet
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 3:16
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, Number the children of Levi.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 3:16
Verse 16. Moses numbered them] Though Moses and Aaron conjointly numbered the twelve tribes, yet Moses alone numbered the Levites; "for as the money with which the first-born of Israel, who exceeded the number of Levites, were redeemed, was to be paid to Aaron and his sons, Numbers 3:48, it was decent that he, whose advantage it was that the number of the first-born of Israel should exceed, should not be authorized to take that number himself." - Dodd, from Bishop Kidder.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 3:16
14–20. Summary of the Levitical families.
Sermons on Numbers 3:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Commentary Notes - I Chronicles by Walter Beuttler | Walter Beuttler preaches on the Books of the Chronicles, emphasizing their division, retrospective nature post-Babylonian captivity, and focus on Judah's history from a heavenly pe |
|
(Genesis) Genesis 45:13-28 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the reunion of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers, reveals his true identity to them and forgive |