Numbers 4:38
Numbers 4:38 in Multiple Translations
Then the Gershonites were numbered by their clans and families,
And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers,
And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, their families, and by their fathers’ houses,
And those of the sons of Gershon who were numbered by families,
The families of Gershon were counted, according to their family and father's line,
Also the nombers of the sonnes of Gershon throughout their families and houses of their fathers,
And those numbered of the sons of Gershon, by their families, and by the house of their fathers,
Those who were counted of the sons of Gershon, by their families, and by their fathers’ houses,
And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers,
The sons of Gerson also were numbered by the kindreds and houses of their fathers,
They/We also counted the descendants of Gershon, writing also the names of their clans and family groups.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 4:38
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
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Numbers 4:38 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/פְקוּדֵ֖י
בְּנֵ֣י
גֵרְשׁ֑וֹן
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחוֹתָ֖/ם
וּ/לְ/בֵ֥ית
אֲבֹתָֽ/ם
וּ/פְקוּדֵ֖י
pâqad
H6485
to reckon
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
גֵרְשׁ֑וֹן
Gêrᵉshôwn
H1648
Gershon
N-proper
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחוֹתָ֖/ם
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
Prep | N-fp | Suff
וּ/לְ/בֵ֥ית
bayith
H1004
place
Conj | Prep | N-ms
אֲבֹתָֽ/ם
ʼâb
H1
father
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 4:38
וּ/פְקוּדֵ֖י
pâqad
H6485
"to reckon"
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c
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.
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
"son"
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.
גֵרְשׁ֑וֹן
Gêrᵉshôwn
H1648
"Gershon"
N-proper
Gershon was a son of Levi and an ancestor of the tribe of Levi, which played a key role in the priesthood and worship of the Israelites. He is mentioned in books like Genesis and Chronicles, and his name means 'exile'.
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: Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115); father of: Libni (H3845) and Shimei (H8096); also called Gershom at 1Ch.6.16,17,20,43,62,71; 15.7; § Gershon or Gershom = "exile" firstborn son of Levi born before Jacob's family went to Egypt
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: Gershon, Gershom. See also: Genesis 46:11; Numbers 4:38; 1 Chronicles 15:7.
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחוֹתָ֖/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.
וּ/לְ/בֵ֥ית
bayith
H1004
"place"
Conj | 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 4:38
Show Verse Quote Highlights
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.
38Then the Gershonites were numbered by their clans and families,
39everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 40And those numbered by their clans and families totaled 2,630.Numbers 4:38 Summary
This verse, Numbers 4:38, is about the Gershonites being counted and organized for their role in serving at the Tent of Meeting. It shows us that God values order and organization, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:40, and that each person has a unique role to play in serving others. Just like the Gershonites, we can use our gifts and talents to serve others, as seen in Matthew 25:31-46. By following God's plan and being faithful stewards of our gifts, we can bring glory to Him and build up His church, as seen in Ephesians 4:11-12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the Gershonites numbered by their clans and families in Numbers 4:38?
The Gershonites were numbered to determine their role in serving at the Tent of Meeting, as part of the larger organization of the Israelite community, as seen in Numbers 4:1-49 and Exodus 18:13-27.
What was the purpose of numbering the Israelites in the book of Numbers?
The purpose of numbering the Israelites was to organize them for their journey to the Promised Land, to determine their military strength, and to assign roles and responsibilities, as seen in Numbers 1:1-4 and Numbers 26:1-65.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of worship and service in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of organized worship and service, as seen in Numbers 4:38, and is consistent with other biblical teachings on the topic, such as 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and Ephesians 4:11-12.
What can we learn from the example of the Gershonites in this verse?
We can learn the importance of being faithful stewards of our gifts and talents, and of being willing to serve others, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30 and 1 Peter 4:10-11.
Reflection Questions
- What role do I play in serving my community, and how can I be more faithful in that role?
- How can I apply the principles of organized worship and service to my own life and ministry?
- What gifts and talents has God given me, and how can I use them to serve others?
- How can I balance the need for organization and structure with the need for flexibility and adaptability in my own life and ministry?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 4:38
And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon,.... [See comments on Numbers 4:34].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 4:38
And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and after the house of their fathers, Moses and Aaron ... This enumeration was made on
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 4:38
34–49. A detailed statement that Moses and Aaron numbered the men between the ages of 30 and 50 in the three Levitical families, as had been commanded.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 4:38
CENSUS OF LEVITES, Numbers 4:34-49.The results of the enumeration of Levites between thirty and fifty years are here tabulated, together with the number of incompetents and the