Numbers 4:42
Numbers 4:42 in Multiple Translations
And the Merarites were numbered by their clans and families,
¶ And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers,
And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their fathers’ houses,
And those of the sons of Merari who were numbered by families, in the order of their fathers' houses,
The families of Merari were counted, according to their family and father's line,
The nombers also of the families of the sonnes of Merari by their families, and by the houses of their fathers,
And those numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by the house of their fathers,
Those who were counted of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their fathers’ houses,
And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers,
The sons of Merari also were numbered by the kindreds and houses of their fathers,
They/We also counted the descendants of Merari, writing also the names of their clans and family groups.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 4:42
BAB
Word Study
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Numbers 4:42 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/פְקוּדֵ֕י
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
בְּנֵ֣י
מְרָרִ֑י
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖/ם
לְ/בֵ֥ית
אֲבֹתָֽ/ם
וּ/פְקוּדֵ֕י
pâqad
H6485
to reckon
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
N-fp
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
מְרָרִ֑י
Mᵉrârîy
H4847
Merari
N-proper
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖/ם
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
Prep | N-fp | Suff
לְ/בֵ֥ית
bayith
H1004
place
Prep | N-ms
אֲבֹתָֽ/ם
ʼâb
H1
father
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 4:42
וּ/פְקוּדֵ֕י
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.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
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.
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.
מְרָרִ֑י
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.
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 4:42
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Numbering of the Levite Clans
40And those numbered by their clans and families totaled 2,630.
41These were counted from the Gershonite clans who served at the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted at the LORD’s command.
42And the Merarites were numbered by their clans and families,
43everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 44The men registered by their clans numbered 3,200.Numbers 4:42 Summary
[This verse tells us that the Merarites were counted by their families, which was an important part of organizing the Levites who served at the Tent of Meeting. The Lord had given specific instructions for the setup and maintenance of the Tent, as seen in Exodus 25:8-9, and the Merarites played a key role in this. By being numbered and organized, the Merarites were able to fulfill their duties effectively and efficiently, which is an important lesson for us today as we seek to serve the Lord in our own lives (1 Corinthians 14:40). This verse reminds us that God is a God of order and organization, and that He has a plan for each of our lives (Jeremiah 29:11).]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the Merarites numbered by their clans and families?
The Merarites were numbered by their clans and families as part of the larger census of the Levites, who were responsible for serving at the Tent of Meeting, as seen in Numbers 4:41 and Numbers 1:47-54. This numbering was done at the Lord's command, as stated in Numbers 4:41.
What was the purpose of numbering the Merarites?
The purpose of numbering the Merarites was to determine the total number of men available to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting, as stated in Numbers 4:43. This was an important task, as the Lord had given specific instructions for the setup and maintenance of the Tent, as seen in Exodus 25:8-9.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse is part of a larger section in Numbers 4 that deals with the numbering and organization of the Levites, including the Gershonites and the Merarites. The chapter as a whole provides important details about the roles and responsibilities of the Levites in serving at the Tent of Meeting, as seen in Numbers 3:6-10 and Numbers 8:5-26.
What can we learn from the Merarites' example?
The Merarites' example teaches us about the importance of organization and accountability in serving the Lord, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:40. By being numbered and organized, the Merarites were able to fulfill their duties effectively and efficiently, which is an important lesson for us today as we seek to serve the Lord in our own lives, as stated in Colossians 3:23-24.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's attention to detail and organization?
- How can I apply the principle of accountability seen in this verse to my own life and ministry?
- What role do I play in serving the Lord, and how can I be more effective in fulfilling my duties?
- How does the concept of being 'numbered' by God relate to my own sense of identity and purpose?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 4:42
And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari,.... [See comments on Numbers 4:34];
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 4:42
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 4:42
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 4:42
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