What does Numbers 4:38 mean?
"And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers," - Numbers 4:38
Numbers 4:38 (KJV) says, "And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers,"
This verse is part of a larger section in the book of Numbers that outlines the specific duties of the Levites in the Tabernacle of the congregation. The sons of Gershon were responsible for the care and transportation of the curtains and coverings of the Tabernacle, as well as the hangings for the entrance of the tabernacle courtyard.
In order to fully understand the meaning and significance of Numbers 4:38, it is important to first understand the context in which it is situated. In the Old Testament, the Levites were a tribe of the Israelites who were designated as the priests and caretakers of the Tabernacle and later, the Temple. The Tabernacle was the place where God's presence dwelled among the Israelites, and it was a sacred and holy space. The responsibility of the Levites was to maintain the Tabernacle and perform the necessary rituals and sacrifices in accordance with God's commands.
In this verse, the phrase "those that were numbered" refers to the census that was taken of the sons of Gershon, in order to determine their specific duties and responsibilities within the Tabernacle. The importance of this enumeration was to ensure that each individual was given a specific role and task in the service of God. This highlights the principle of organization and order within the community of faith, and the emphasis on everyone having a part to play in the worship and service of God.
The mention of "the house of their fathers" in this verse is significant as it reflects the importance of lineage and inheritance within the Israelite community. The roles and responsibilities of the Levites were often passed down from father to son, and each family had their own specific duties within the Tabernacle. This emphasis on generational continuity and lineage underscores the idea of tradition and heritage within the religious community.
Furthermore, this verse emphasizes the importance of familial and communal identity within the faith. The sons of Gershon were organized and identified "throughout their families," highlighting the close-knit nature of the Israelite community and the role of family in the worship and service of God. The sense of belonging and communal solidarity is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, and it is reflected in the specific allocation of responsibilities to each family within the tribe of Gershon.
Symbolically, this verse can be seen as a representation of the broader theme of order, organization, and unity within the community of faith. The meticulous detailing of the responsibilities of the Levites reflects the meticulous nature of God and His expectations for the way His people are to worship and serve Him. Every individual and family within the tribe of Gershon had a specific role to play, and this reflects the idea of each person having a unique purpose and contribution within the body of believers.
In conclusion, Numbers 4:38 is a verse that speaks to the specific duties and responsibilities of the sons of Gershon within the Tabernacle, as well as the broader themes of organization, community, and familial identity within the faith. It serves as a reminder of the importance of each person's role in the worship and service of God, and the significance of familial and communal solidarity within the religious community.
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Numbers 4:38 Artwork
Numbers 4:38 - "And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers,"
"And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers," - Numbers 4:38
Numbers 32:38
Numbers 7:38 - "One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:"
Numbers 31:38 - "And the beeves were thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and twelve."
Job 38:4-7
Numbers 26:38 - "¶ The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:"
Numbers 14:38 - "But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the land, lived still."
Numbers 32:38 - "And Nebo, and Baal-meon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded."
Isaiah 38:4 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,"
Numbers 29:38 - "And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering."
"One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:" - Numbers 7:38
Ezekiel 38:4 - "And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:"
Numbers 1:38 - "¶ Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;"
Numbers 15:38 - "Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:"
Numbers 15:38 tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner.
1 Chronicles 4:38 - "These mentioned by their names were princes in their families: and the house of their fathers increased greatly."
Genesis 38:4 - "And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan."
Psalms 38:4 - "For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me."
"¶ Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying," - Isaiah 38:4
Exodus 38:4 - "And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it."
Job 38:4-7 – "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand."
Job 38:4 - "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding."
Job 38:4-7 – "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand."
"And the beeves were thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and twelve." - Numbers 31:38
Numbers 33:38 - "And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first day of the fifth month."
Numbers 4:7
Numbers 4:8
John 4:38 - "I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours."
Numbers 16:38 - "The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel."