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Numbers 4:23

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 4:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to wait upon the service, to do the work in the tent of meeting.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to wait upon the service, to do the work in the tent of meeting.
Numbers 4:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20but they shall not go in to see the sanctuary even for a moment, lest they die.
21And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
22Take the sum of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers` houses, by their families;
23from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to wait upon the service, to do the work in the tent of meeting.
24This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens:
25they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tent of meeting, its covering, and the covering of sealskin that is above upon it, and the screen for the door of the tent of meeting,
26and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and whatsoever shall be done with them: therein shall they serve.
← Numbers 4:22Numbers 4:24 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“From thirty years old and upward, until fifty years old, shalt thou number them, etc.] Take an account how many there are of that age, and so fit for service f25; (see Gill on “<040403>Numbers 4:3”); to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation; as the rest of the Levites; (see <040403>Numbers 4:3);”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“enter in to perform the service - literally, as in the margin, “to war the warfare,” or, as the same phrase in part is rendered, Numbers 4:3, “enter into the host to do the work.” The language is military. The service of God is a sacred warfare (Numbers 8:24-25 marginal reading). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thirty years: Num 4:3 to perform the service: Heb. to war the warfare, Num 4:3; Isa 63:1-4; Rom 7:14-24; Co1 9:7; Co2 6:7, Co2 10:3-5; Eph 6:10-19; Gal 5:17, Gal 5:24; Ti1 1:18; Ti2 2:3, Ti2 2:4, Ti2 4:7 Numbers 4:24”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification