Numbers 3:20
Numbers 3:20 in Multiple Translations
And the sons of Merari by their clans were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites, according to their families.
And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.
And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.
And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites in the order of their fathers' houses.
Merari's sons by family were Mahli and Mushi. These were the families of the Levites, according to their father's line.
And the sonnes of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of Leui, according to the houses of their fathers.
And the sons of Merari by their families [are] Mahli and Mushi; these are the families of the Levites, by the house of their fathers.
The sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.
And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi: these are the families of the Levites, according to the house of their fathers.
The sons of Merari: Moholi and Musi.
Merari had two sons: Mahli and Mushi. The clans that were descended from them had the same names as those two sons. Those are the clans that were descended from Levi.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 3:20
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 3:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/בְנֵ֧י
מְרָרִ֛י
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖/ם
מַחְלִ֣י
וּ/מוּשִׁ֑י
אֵ֥לֶּה
הֵ֛ם
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
הַ/לֵּוִ֖י
לְ/בֵ֥ית
אֲבֹתָֽ/ם
וּ/בְנֵ֧י
bên
H1121
son
Conj | N-mp
מְרָרִ֛י
Mᵉrârîy
H4847
Merari
N-proper
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖/ם
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
Prep | N-fp | Suff
מַחְלִ֣י
Machlîy
H4249
Mahli
N-proper
וּ/מוּשִׁ֑י
Mûwshîy
H4187
Mushi
Conj | N-proper
אֵ֥לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Pron
הֵ֛ם
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Pron
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
N-fp
הַ/לֵּוִ֖י
Lêvîyîy
H3881
Levi
Art | Ngmsa
לְ/בֵ֥ית
bayith
H1004
place
Prep | N-ms
אֲבֹתָֽ/ם
ʼâb
H1
father
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 3:20
וּ/בְנֵ֧י
bên
H1121
"son"
Conj | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
מְרָרִ֛י
Mᵉrârîy
H4847
"Merari"
N-proper
Merari was a man in the Bible, the third son of Levi and head of a family of Levites. His name means 'bitter' and he's mentioned in Genesis as an ancestor of the tribe of Levi.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11; son of: Levi (H3878); brother of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955) and Jochebed (H3115); father of: Mahli (H4249), Mushi (H4187) and Jaaziah (H3269) Also named: me.ra.ri (מְרָרִי "Merari" H4848) § Merari = "bitter" the 3rd son of Levi and head of a Levitical family
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: Merari. See also H4848 (מְרָרִי). See also: Genesis 46:11; 1 Chronicles 6:1; Ezra 8:19.
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖/ם
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
Prep | N-fp | Suff
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
מַחְלִ֣י
Machlîy
H4249
"Mahli"
N-proper
Mahli was an Israelite, son of Mushi and grandson of Levi. His name also means sick, and he is mentioned in the Bible as a member of the tribe of Levi. He was the father of Shemer.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.47; son of: Mushi (H4187); brother of: Eder (H5740A) and Jerimoth (H3406K); father of: Shemer (H8106) § Mahli = "sick" 1) son of Merari and grandson of Levi; progenitor of the family of the Mahlites 2) son of Mushi, grandson of Merari, and great grandson of Levi
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: Mahli. See also: Exodus 6:19; 1 Chronicles 23:21; Ezra 8:18.
וּ/מוּשִׁ֑י
Mûwshîy
H4187
"Mushi"
Conj | N-proper
Mushi was a Levite living in Egypt and the Wilderness, son of Merari and father of Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. He is first mentioned in Exodus 6:19. His name means yielding. Mushi was a descendant of Levi and part of the tribe of Levi.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.19; son of: Merari (H4847); brother of: Mahli (H4249) and Jaaziah (H3269); father of: Mahli (H4249H), Eder (H5740A) and Jerimoth (H3406K) Also named: mu.shi (מוּשִׁי "Mushite" H4188) § Mushi = "yielding" son of Merari, grandson of Kohath, and great grandson of Levi
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: Mushi. See also: Exodus 6:19; 1 Chronicles 23:21; 1 Chronicles 24:30.
אֵ֥לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
הֵ֛ם
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
N-fp
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
הַ/לֵּוִ֖י
Lêvîyîy
H3881
"Levi"
Art | Ngmsa
A Levite is a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. Levi's brothers include Reuben, Simeon, and Judah. His descendants played a key role in Israel's spiritual life.
Definition: Someone from the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115) Another name of le.vi (לֵוִי "Levi" H3878) § Levite, of Levi "joined to" 1) the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah 1a) the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service
Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: Leviite. See also: Exodus 4:14; 1 Chronicles 6:33; Ezra 6:20.
לְ/בֵ֥ית
bayith
H1004
"place"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
אֲבֹתָֽ/ם
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-mp | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
Study Notes — Numbers 3:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Numbering of the Levites
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.
21From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans. 22The number of all the males a month old or more was 7,500.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 6:19 | The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites according to their records. |
| 2 | 1 Chronicles 6:19 | The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites listed according to their fathers: |
| 3 | Numbers 3:33 | From Merari came the clans of the Mahlites and Mushites; these were the Merarite clans. |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 25:3 | From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 23:21–23 | The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar died without having any sons; he had only daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them. The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth —three in all. |
| 6 | 1 Chronicles 6:44–47 | On the left were their kinsmen, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah, the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer, the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi. |
| 7 | 1 Chronicles 6:29 | The descendants of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, |
| 8 | 1 Chronicles 24:27–30 | The descendants of Merari from Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. From Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. From Kish: Jerahmeel the son of Kish. And the sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites, according to their families. |
| 9 | 1 Chronicles 15:6 | from the Merarites, Asaiah the chief and 220 of his relatives; |
Numbers 3:20 Summary
[This verse is talking about the different families within the tribe of Levi, and how they were organized into clans. The Levites were a special group of people who took care of the tabernacle and helped the priests with their duties, as seen in Exodus 28:1 and Numbers 3:6-10. The clans mentioned in this verse, such as Mahli and Mushi, were important for the smooth operation of the tabernacle and the worship of God. By understanding the organization of the Levites, we can see how God values order and attention to detail, and how we can apply these principles to our own lives, just like the Israelites did when they followed God's instructions in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2-5).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the clans of the Levites in Numbers 3:20?
The clans of the Levites, as mentioned in Numbers 3:20, were important for the organization and administration of the tabernacle and the priestly duties, as seen in Exodus 18:21 and Numbers 4:1-33.
Who were Mahli and Mushi, and why are they mentioned in this verse?
Mahli and Mushi were the sons of Merari, one of the three main branches of the Levites, and are mentioned in Numbers 3:20 as the heads of their respective clans, similar to how Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel are mentioned as the sons of Kohath in Numbers 3:19.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of the book of Numbers?
Numbers 3:20 is part of the larger narrative of the book of Numbers, which focuses on the organization and journey of the Israelites in the wilderness, as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, as seen in Numbers 1:1 and Deuteronomy 1:1-3.
What can we learn about the importance of family and lineage in the Bible from this verse?
This verse highlights the importance of family and lineage in the Bible, as seen in other passages such as Genesis 5:1 and 1 Chronicles 1:1-54, where genealogies are carefully recorded to show the connection between families and their roles in God's plan.
Reflection Questions
- What does the organization of the Levites into clans reveal about God's attention to detail and order?
- How can I apply the principle of organization and administration seen in Numbers 3:20 to my own life and responsibilities?
- What does the mention of specific names, such as Mahli and Mushi, teach us about the value and significance of individual people in God's plan?
- How can I use this verse to reflect on my own family and lineage, and the role I play in God's larger story?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 3:20
And the sons, of Merari, by their families,.... The third son of Levi; Mahli and Mushi; the same as in Exodus 6:19; from whom were denominated the families of the Mahlites and Mushites, who, as the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 3:20
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, Number the children of Levi.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 3:20
14–20. Summary of the Levitical families.