Numbers 3:15 Meaning and Explanation
“Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moses is to count all Levite males from one month old and older, organized by families and houses.
The Context of Numbers 3:15
God directs a family-based census of all Levite males.
What Does Numbers 3:15 Mean?
God commands a detailed census of the Levites, organized by genealogical lines ('house of their fathers, by their families'). This genealogical numbering ensures that every Levite is accounted for and their kinship ties preserved in the official record.
The inclusion of 'every male from a month old and upward' indicates that even the youngest Levites count. A child barely weaned was numbered and marked as belonging to the Lord's tribe. This comprehensive census made the Levites a quantified, accountable group dedicated to God's service.
Numbers 3:15 in the Original Language
paqad (פָּקַד), 'number' or 'count' — to muster, register, and hold accountable; connotes both careful enumeration and divine oversight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 3:15
What does Numbers 3:15 mean?
Moses is to count all Levite males from one month old and older, organized by families and houses.
What is the context of Numbers 3:15?
God directs a family-based census of all Levite males.