Numbers 4:37

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

These are they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that did serve in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Jehovah by Moses.

Bible in Basic English

This is the number of those of the Kohathites who did the work in the Tent of meeting, as they were numbered by Moses and Aaron at the order of the Lord.

Free Bible Version

This was the total of the families of Kohath—all who were entitled to do the work of serving in the Tent of Meeting. Moses and Aaron registered them in accordance with the Lord's instructions to Moses.

King James (Authorized) Version

These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

One Unity Resource Bible

These are those who were counted of the families of the Kohathites, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses [Drawn out] and Aaron [Light-bringer] counted according to the order given by Adonai through Moses [Drawn out]. (A:2)

Translation for Translators

They were the descendants of Kohath who were able to work at the Sacred Tent. Aaron and Moses/I counted them just as Yahweh had commanded Moses/me.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Moses and Aaron counted all the men in the clans and families of the Kohathites who serve in the tent of meeting. In doing this, they obeyed what Yahweh had commanded them to do through Moses.

Noah Webster Bible

These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

World English Bible

These are those who were counted of the families of the Kohathites, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.

Young's Literal Translation

These [are] those numbered of the families of the Kohathite, every one who is serving in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered, by the command of Jehovah, by the hand of Moses.

Context

The Numbering of the Levite Clans

³⁶And those numbered by their clans totaled 2,750.³⁷These 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.

Summary

This verse highlights the specific duties assigned to the tribe of Merari in the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. The Merarites were responsible for carrying the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, and bases, as well as all its equipment and accessories. Their role was crucial in ensuring the proper transportation and assembly of the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of each tribe's contribution to the overall functioning of God's dwelling place among His people.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

These be those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari,.... See Gill on Num 4:34; ; Numbers 4:46 num 4:46 num 4:46 num 4:46All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered,.... See Gill on Num 3:34.