Numbers 3:28
Numbers 3:28 in Multiple Translations
The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. They were responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.
In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.
According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, there were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.
Those who were numbered of them, the males from one month old and over, were eight thousand, six hundred, who were responsible for the care of the holy place.
The total of all males aged one month or older was 8,600. Their assigned responsibility was to take care of the sanctuary.
The nomber of all the males from a moneth olde and aboue was eight thousand and sixe hundreth, hauing the charge of the Sanctuarie.
In number, all the males, from a son of a month and upward, [are] eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.
According to the number of all the males from a month old and upward, there were eight thousand six hundred keeping the requirements of the sanctuary.
In the number of all the males from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.
All of the male sex from one month and upward, eight thousand six hundred: they shall have the guard of the sanctuary,
In those four clans there were 8,600 males who were at least one month old. The work of the men of the clans was to take care of the things that are inside the Sacred Tent.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 3:28
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 3:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּ/מִסְפַּר֙
כָּל
זָכָ֔ר
מִ/בֶּן
חֹ֖דֶשׁ
וָ/מָ֑עְלָ/ה
שְׁמֹנַ֤ת
אֲלָפִים֙
וְ/שֵׁ֣שׁ
מֵא֔וֹת
שֹׁמְרֵ֖י
מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת
הַ/קֹּֽדֶשׁ
בְּ/מִסְפַּר֙
miçpâr
H4557
number
Prep | N-ms
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
זָכָ֔ר
zâkâr
H2145
male
Adj
מִ/בֶּן
bên
H1121
son
Prep | N-ms
חֹ֖דֶשׁ
chôdesh
H2320
month
N-ms
וָ/מָ֑עְלָ/ה
maʻal
H4605
above
Conj | Adv | Suff
שְׁמֹנַ֤ת
shᵉmôneh
H8083
eight
Adj
אֲלָפִים֙
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
וְ/שֵׁ֣שׁ
shêsh
H8337
six
Conj | Adj
מֵא֔וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
שֹׁמְרֵ֖י
shâmar
H8104
to keep
V-Qal
מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת
mishmereth
H4931
charge
N-fs
הַ/קֹּֽדֶשׁ
qôdesh
H6944
Holy Place
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 3:28
בְּ/מִסְפַּר֙
miçpâr
H4557
"number"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a number or quantity, whether large or small, and can also mean a narrative or story. It is used in many biblical contexts to describe counting or recounting events. In the Bible, it appears in passages about census and genealogy.
Definition: 1) number, tale 1a) number 1a1) number 1a2) innumerable (with negative) 1a3) few, numerable (alone) 1a4) by count, in number, according to number (with prep) 1b) recounting, relation
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time. See also: Genesis 34:30; 1 Chronicles 12:24; Psalms 40:13.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
זָכָ֔ר
zâkâr
H2145
"male"
Adj
This word means male, referring to men or male animals, emphasizing their importance. It is used in the Bible to distinguish between males and females. The word is often translated as 'him' or 'male' in English.
Definition: 1) male (of humans and animals) adj 2) male (of humans)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] him, male, man(child, -kind). See also: Genesis 1:27; Numbers 3:22; Isaiah 66:7.
מִ/בֶּן
bên
H1121
"son"
Prep | N-ms
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.
חֹ֖דֶשׁ
chôdesh
H2320
"month"
N-ms
The Hebrew term for month, specifically referring to the new moon and the lunar cycle, as described in the book of Exodus and the festivals of Israel. It marks the beginning of a new month in the Hebrew calendar.
Definition: : month 1) the new moon, month, monthly 1a) the first day of the month 1b) the lunar month
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: month(-ly), new moon. See also: Genesis 7:11; 1 Chronicles 3:4; Psalms 81:4.
וָ/מָ֑עְלָ/ה
maʻal
H4605
"above"
Conj | Adv | Suff
Means above or higher, used to describe something's location or position. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Genesis 1:7, where God separates the waters above from the waters below. This word helps us understand God's creation.
Definition: subst 1) higher part, upper part adv 1a) above prep 1b) on the top of, above, on higher ground than with locative 1c) upwards, higher, above
Usage: Occurs in 134 OT verses. KJV: above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on ([idiom] very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very. See also: Genesis 6:16; 1 Samuel 30:25; Psalms 74:5.
שְׁמֹנַ֤ת
shᵉmôneh
H8083
"eight"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number eight, which was considered a special number in biblical times. It is used to describe quantities, such as eight days or eight years, and also appears in ordinal forms, like eighth or eighth day.
Definition: 1) eight, eighth 1a) eight (as cardinal number) 1b) eighth (as ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: eight(-een, -eenth), eighth. See also: Genesis 5:4; 1 Chronicles 16:38; Jeremiah 32:1.
אֲלָפִים֙
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
וְ/שֵׁ֣שׁ
shêsh
H8337
"six"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word means the number six, and is often used in the Bible to describe measurements, like the six days of creation in Genesis 1.
Definition: 1) six 1a) six (cardinal number) 1b) sixth (ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: shet (שֵׁת "six" H8353)
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. See also: Genesis 7:6; 1 Kings 6:6; Proverbs 6:16.
מֵא֔וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
"hundred"
Adj
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
שֹׁמְרֵ֖י
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
V-Qal
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת
mishmereth
H4931
"charge"
N-fs
Mishmereth refers to a guard or watch, such as a sentry or a post, emphasizing the act of preservation or safekeeping, like a duty or obligation to protect something or someone.
Definition: 1) guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch 1a) guard, watch, house of detention or confinement 1b) keeping, preserving 1c) charge, injunction 1d) office, function (ceremonial)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace, safeguard, ward, watch. See also: Genesis 26:5; Joshua 22:3; Isaiah 21:8.
הַ/קֹּֽדֶשׁ
qôdesh
H6944
"Holy Place"
Art | N-ms
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Definition: This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)
Usage: Occurs in 380 OT verses. KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. See also: Exodus 3:5; Leviticus 23:4; 1 Chronicles 26:26.
Study Notes — Numbers 3:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Kohathites
26the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard that surrounds the tabernacle and altar, and the cords—all the service for these items.
27From Kohath came the clans of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites; these were the clans of the Kohathites.
28The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. They were responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.
29The clans of the Kohathites were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle, 30and the leader of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan son of Uzziel.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 3:31 | Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used with them, and the curtain—all the service for these items. |
| 2 | Numbers 4:35–36 | everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. And those numbered by their clans totaled 2,750. |
| 3 | Numbers 3:7 | They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle. |
Numbers 3:28 Summary
This verse is talking about a group of people called the Kohathites who were responsible for taking care of the sanctuary, which was like a special tent where God's presence was with the Israelites. They had 8,600 men who were a month old or more who could help with these duties, as mentioned in Numbers 3:28. This shows us that serving God is a big job that requires many people working together, just like in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, where the body of Christ is compared to a physical body with different parts working together. We can learn from the Kohathites' example by finding ways to serve God with our own unique gifts and talents, and by working together with others to fulfill our shared responsibilities, as seen in Romans 12:4-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the duties of the sanctuary that the Kohathites were responsible for?
The duties of the sanctuary included various tasks such as carrying the tabernacle and its furnishings, as mentioned in Numbers 3:31, and also involved the care and maintenance of the sacred objects, as seen in Numbers 4:4-15, which highlights their role in the service of the Lord, similar to the instructions given in Exodus 25:9-22.
Why were only the males a month old or more counted in this verse?
The counting of males a month old or more was significant because it represented the total number of potential workers and servants who could be involved in the sanctuary duties, as seen in Numbers 3:15, where the Lord instructs Moses to number the Levites, and in Numbers 1:2-3, where the men twenty years old or more were numbered for military service, indicating the importance of counting and organizing the community for various tasks.
What can we learn from the organization and responsibilities given to the Kohathites in this verse?
The organization and responsibilities given to the Kohathites demonstrate the importance of order, structure, and teamwork in serving the Lord, as emphasized in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, where the body of Christ is compared to a physical body with different parts working together, and in Romans 12:4-8, which highlights the diversity of gifts and roles within the church, illustrating the value of cooperation and unity in serving God.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of worship and service in the Bible?
This verse relates to the broader theme of worship and service by highlighting the importance of dedicated and organized service to the Lord, as seen in Deuteronomy 10:12-13, where the people are called to fear, love, and serve God, and in Hebrews 12:28-29, which encourages believers to offer acceptable worship to God, demonstrating the connection between worship, service, and a life devoted to God.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can serve the Lord with my unique gifts and talents, just like the Kohathites served in the sanctuary?
- How can I work together with others in my church or community to serve the Lord and fulfill our shared responsibilities?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of organization and structure in serving the Lord, and how can I apply this to my own life and ministry?
- In what ways can I demonstrate my love and devotion to God through my service and worship, just like the Kohathites did in their duties in the sanctuary?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 3:28
In the number of all the males, from a month old and upwards, [were] eight thousand and six hundred,.... 8,600 men, which was the largest number of any of the houses of the Levites; but considering
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 3:28
In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 3:28
Keeping, or keepers, &c., i.e. appointed for that work, as soon as they were capable of it. Of the sanctuary, i.e. of those holy things contained in or nearly belonging to the sanctuary, expressed .
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 3:28
28. eight thousand and six hundred] This should probably be read eight thousand and three hundred (ùìù for ùù); Numbers 3:39, and a comparison of Num 3:43 with Numbers 3:46, shew that the Levites numbered 22,000, whereas the figures given in Numbers 3:22; Numbers 3:28; Numbers 3:34 make a total of 22,300.