Numbers 3:23

Numbers 3:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.
• New International Version (NIV)The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The clans of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle on the west,
• New King James Version (NKJV)The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle westward.

Context of Numbers 3:23

21The Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan came from Gershon; these were the Gershonite clans. 22Those registered, counting every male one month old or more, numbered 7,500. The Gershonite clans camped behind the tabernacle on the west side, 24and the leader of the Gershonite families was Eliasaph son of Lael. 25The Gershonites’ duties at the tent of meeting involved the tabernacle, the tent, its covering, the screen for the entrance to the tent of meeting,

Numbers 3:23 word by word

מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י אַחֲרֵ֧י הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ן יַחֲנ֖וּ יָֽמָּה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The familiesמִשְׁפָּחָהmishpâchâh · familyH4940
• of the Gershonitesגֵּרְשֻׁנִּיgêreshûnnîy · GershoniteH1649
• shall pitchחָנָהchânâh · to campH2583
• behindאַחַר'achar · afterH310
• the tabernacleמִשְׁכָּןmishkân · tabernacleH4908
• westwardיָםyâm · sea: westH3220

Cross-references for Numbers 3:23

• Numbers 1:53The Levites are to camp around the tabernacle of the testimony and watch over it, so that no wrath will fall on the Israelite community.”
• Numbers 2:17The tent of meeting is to move out with the Levites’ camp, which is in the middle of the camps. They are to move out just as they camp, each in his place, with their banners.

Commentaries on Numbers 3:23

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-39Verses 14-39 The Levites were in three classes, according to the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; and these were subdivided into families. The posterity of Moses were not at all honoured or privileged, but stood upon the level with other Levites; thus it was plain, that Moses did not seek the advancement of his own family, or to secure any honours to it. The tribe of Levi was by much the least of all the tribes. God's chosen are but a little…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-39This first phase of a two-part registration of the tribe of Levi summarized each family's special duties. 4:1–33 describes this in more detail (see 4:34–49 for the second phase). This count did not relate to military duties, so it included male Levites from the age of one month (3:40–41). Three family groups descend from the three sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. These clans, often called the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites, later…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 14-3114-31. Number the children of Levi--They were numbered as well as the other tribes; but the enumeration was made on a different principle--for while in the other tribes the number of males was calculated from twenty years and upward [Nu 1:3], in that of Levi they were counted "from a month old and upward." The reason for the distinction is obvious. In the other tribes the survey was made for purposes of war [Nu 1:3], from which the Levites were totally…Read the comment

Topics related to Numbers 3:23

• Census
• Gershon
• Levites

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Conclude
• Custody
• Encamp
• Gershon
• O
• Secure
• Seek
• Sinai
• Wait

Commentaries on Numbers 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings