Numbers 1:47-54
“The ancestral tribe of the Levites, however, was not counted along with the others. The Lord had said to Moses: ‘You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the census of the other Israelites. Instead, appoint the Levites to be in charge of the tabernacle of the covenant law—over all its furnishings and everything belonging to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they are to take care of it and encamp around it. Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall do it. Anyone else who approaches it is to be put to death. The Israelites are to set up their tents by divisions, each of them in their own camp under their standard. The Levites, however, are to set up their tents around the tabernacle of the covenant law so that my wrath will not fall on the Israelite community. The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the tabernacle of the covenant law. The Israelites did all this just as the Lord commanded Moses.'”
What Does Numbers 1:47-54 Mean?
In this passage, we see that God instructed Moses not to include the tribe of Levi in the general census of the Israelites. Instead, the Levites were to be appointed for a specific purpose – to be in charge of the tabernacle of the covenant.
The Levites were responsible for the care and transportation of the tabernacle, its furnishings, and everything belonging to it. They were to set up and take down the tabernacle as the Israelites moved, and they were to camp around it.
The Levites were given the important task of ensuring that no one else, except for themselves, approached the tabernacle, under the penalty of death. By assigning the Levites this role, God was protecting the holiness and sanctity of His dwelling place among His people.
Explanation and Commentary of Numbers 1:47-54
The book of Numbers provides detailed instructions regarding the organization and implementation of the tabernacle and the duties of the Levites. God appointed the Levites to serve Him exclusively in the tabernacle, and they were consecrated for this purpose (Numbers 3:5-13). In this particular passage, we see their specific role in caring for and transporting the tabernacle.
The tabernacle was the place where God’s presence dwelled among His people. It was a sacred and holy space, and God entrusted the Levites with the responsibility of guarding and maintaining its sanctity. The Levites were chosen as representatives of the people and were set apart for service in the tabernacle.
The task of the Levites included carrying the tabernacle, its furnishings, and everything belonging to it. They were also responsible for setting it up and taking it down whenever the Israelites needed to move. This physical labor was a significant responsibility, emphasizing the importance of the tabernacle and its proper handling. It also highlighted the dedication and commitment required from the Levites in their service to God.
God’s command to put to death anyone who approached the tabernacle who was not a Levite demonstrated the seriousness of maintaining the holiness of His dwelling place. Only the Levites were allowed to have direct access to the tabernacle, signifying their privileged role as spiritual mediators between God and the people. This restriction served as a warning to the other Israelites to honor the boundaries set by God and to respect the sacredness of His presence.
The arrangement of the Israelite camps with the Levites surrounding the tabernacle further emphasized their role in protecting the sanctity of the dwelling of God.
The Levites formed a protective barrier between the tabernacle and the rest of the Israelite community, ensuring that God’s wrath would not befall them.
By positioning the Levites in this way, God established a clear distinction between the sacred and the profane, reminding the people of His holiness and the need for reverence in approaching Him.
Context of Numbers 1:47-54
The book of Numbers is set during the time when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after their deliverance from Egypt. In Numbers 1, God commanded Moses to take a census of the Israelite men who were eligible for military service.
This census aimed to determine the number of men available for battle, as well as to organize the Israelites’ encampments and formations during their journey towards the Promised Land.
In the midst of this census, God gave specific instructions regarding the role of the Levites. The Levites were not to be counted among the other tribes, as they had a distinct purpose in the service of God. This passage in Numbers 1:47-54 focuses on their responsibilities in relation to the tabernacle and its transportation.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Numbers 1:47-54
Verse 47: This verse highlights the total count of the tribe of Levi, which was not included in the general census of Israelites. The Levites were counted separately for their specific duties related to the Tabernacle.
Verse 48: The LORD commands Moses to count the Levites by their clans and families, specifying that they are to be counted from one month old and upward.
Verse 49: The census result shows a total count of 22,000 Levite males, qualified to serve in the work of the Tabernacle.
Verse 50: The Levites are to camp around the Tabernacle to ensure the Israelites do not incur the wrath of the Lord by coming too close to the sanctuary. Their purpose is to guard and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting.
Verses 51-53: These verses highlight the specific responsibilities assigned to the Levites. The Levites are to dismantle the Tabernacle when the Israelites break camp and then set it up again when they stop to camp. Any unauthorized person who approaches the Tabernacle is to be put to death, emphasizing the sanctity of the place.
Verse 54: The Israelites did everything according to what the LORD had commanded Moses regarding the arrangement and duties of the Levites.
Bible Study on Numbers 1:47-54
This passage provides essential insights into the nature of worship and the need for reverence in approaching God. It highlights the significance of the tabernacle as a meeting place between God and His people, and the role of the Levites in facilitating that encounter. As Christians, we can draw several key lessons from these verses:
First, we learn about the importance of holiness and reverence in worship. God is holy, and His dwelling place should be treated with utmost respect and honor. The responsibility given to the Levites mirrors the reverence and humility we should have when we approach God in worship. It reminds us that God is not to be taken lightly or approached casually, but with reverence and awe.
Second, we see the unique role of the Levites as mediators between God and His people. They were appointed to represent the other tribes and to serve as a link between the people and God. In the New Testament, we find a parallel to this role in the concept of priesthood. As believers in Christ, we are all called to be a holy priesthood, with direct access to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:9). This privilege should not be taken lightly, but embraced with gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility.
Third, we understand the need for order and organization in worship. God instructed Moses to organize the Israelite camps and set the Levites apart for specific duties. This emphasizes the importance of planning and structure in our worship gatherings and ministries. While we live under the grace of the new covenant, we can still benefit from thoughtful and intentional organization in our worship services and church activities.
Lastly, we recognize the importance of service and sacrificial dedication in our worship. The Levites had the laborious task of carrying and setting up the tabernacle, which required physical strength and commitment. This serves as a reminder that worship is not limited to singing songs or attending church services, but also includes offering ourselves as living sacrifices, serving God wholeheartedly (Romans 12:1). Our service to God is an act of worship and should be carried out with dedication and sacrifice.
Also Read: Numbers 7:72-77 Meaning and Explanation
Biblical Translations of Numbers 1:47-54
King James Version (KJV):
“But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying, Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony. And the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so did they.”
English Standard Version (ESV):
“But the Levites were not listed along with them by their ancestral tribe. For the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Only the tribe of Levi you shall not list, and you shall not take a census of them among the people of Israel. But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle. When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up. And if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death. The people of Israel shall pitch their tents by their companies, each man in his own camp and each man by his own standard. But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony. Thus did the people of Israel; they did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses.”
New King James Version (NKJV):
“But the Levites were not numbered among them by their fathers’ tribe; for the LORD had spoken to Moses, saying: ‘Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor take a census of them among the children of Israel; but you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, over all its furnishings, and over all things that belong to it; they shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they shall attend to it and camp around the tabernacle. And when the tabernacle is to go forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall set it up. The outsider who comes near shall be put to death. The children of Israel shall pitch their tents, everyone by his own camp, everyone by his own standard, according to their armies; but the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony, that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the children of Israel; and the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of the Testimony. Thus the children of Israel did; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so they did.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB):
“The Levites, however, were not numbered among them by their fathers’ tribe. For the Lord had spoken to Moses, saying, Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor shall you take their census among the sons of Israel. But you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings and over all that belongs to it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it; they shall also camp around the tabernacle. When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle encamps, the Levites shall set it up. The stranger who comes near shall be put to death. The sons of Israel shall camp, each man by his own camp, and each man by his own standard, according to their armies. But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there will be no wrath on the congregation of the sons of Israel. So the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of the testimony. And the sons of Israel did so; in accordance with all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so they did.”
New Living Translation (NLT):
“The tribe of Levi was exempted from the registration. The Lord had said to Moses, ‘Do not register the tribe of Levi with the rest of the Israelites. Instead, appoint the Levites to be in charge of the Tabernacle of the Covenant, along with all its furnishings and equipment. They alone should carry the Tabernacle and its furnishings as they travel, and they alone should take care of it and camp around it. Whenever the Tabernacle is moved, the Levites will take it down and set it up again. Anyone else who goes too near the Tabernacle will be executed.’ The other Israelites must set up their tents by divisions, each family in its own camp, with its own family banner. But the Levites will camp around the Tabernacle of the Covenant to protect the community of Israel from the Lord’s anger. The Levites are responsible to stand guard around the Tabernacle. So the Israelites did everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses.'”
Amplified Bible (AMP):
“But the Levites were not numbered among the Israelites, for the Lord had said to Moses, ‘Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor shall you take their census among the Israelites. But you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, and over all its furnishings, and they shall carry the tabernacle [when traveling] and all its furnishings, and they shall minister to it and encamp around it. When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down; and when encamping, the tabernacle shall be set up again by the Levites. But the layman (non-Levite) who approaches [the sanctuary] shall be put to death. The Israelites [shall camp] each man by his own camp, and each man by his own standard, according to their divisions; but the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony (the Tent of Meeting), so that there will be no wrath on the congregation of the Israelites. So the Levites shall be responsible for the security of the Tent of Meeting. Thus the sons of Israel did these things; according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so they did.”
Final Thoughts
The passage in Numbers 1:47-54 sheds light on the role of the Levites in serving and protecting the tabernacle of God. Through their obedience and dedication, they maintained the holiness and sanctity of God’s dwelling place.
As we study and reflect on these verses, may we be reminded of the reverence and commitment required in our worship and service to God.
Let us approach Him with awe and humility, offering ourselves as living sacrifices, and committing to serve Him faithfully as priests in His kingdom.