1 Chronicles 23:3
New International Version
The Levites thirty years old or more were counted, and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand.

New Living Translation
All the Levites who were thirty years old or older were counted, and the total came to 38,000.

English Standard Version
The Levites, thirty years old and upward, were numbered, and the total was 38,000 men.

Berean Standard Bible
The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000.

King James Bible
Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.

New King James Version
Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and above; and the number of individual males was thirty-eight thousand.

New American Standard Bible
Now the Levites were counted from thirty years old and upward, and their number by head count of men was thirty-eight thousand.

NASB 1995
The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward, and their number by census of men was 38,000.

NASB 1977
And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward, and their number by census of men was 38,000.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward, and their number by census of men was 38,000.

Amplified Bible
The Levites thirty years old and upward were counted, and their number man by man was 38,000.

Christian Standard Bible
The Levites thirty years old or more were counted; the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand by headcount.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Levites 30 years old or more were counted; the total number of men was 38,000 by headcount.”

American Standard Version
And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.

Contemporary English Version
He then counted the Levite men who were at least 30 years old, and the total was 38,000.

English Revised Version
And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Every male Levite who was at least 30 years old was counted. There were 38,000.

Good News Translation
He took a census of all the male Levites aged thirty or older. The total was thirty-eight thousand.

International Standard Version
descendants of Levi 30 years old and above were counted for a total of 38,000.

Majority Standard Bible
The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000.

NET Bible
The Levites who were thirty years old and up were counted; there were 38,000 men.

New Heart English Bible
The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.

World English Bible
The Levites were counted from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the Levites are numbered from a son of thirty years and upward, and their number, for their counted heads, is of thirty-eight thousand mighty men.

Young's Literal Translation
and the Levites are numbered from a son of thirty years and upward, and their number, by their polls, is of mighty men thirty and eight thousand.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the Levites will be numbered from the son of thirty years and above: and their number, for their craniums, for the men, thirty and eight thousand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years, and upwards: and there were found of them thirty-eight thousand men.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward. And there were found thirty-eight thousand men.

New American Bible
The Levites thirty years old and above were counted, and their total number was found to be thirty-eight thousand.

New Revised Standard Version
The Levites, thirty years old and upward, were counted, and the total was thirty-eight thousand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Levites were numbered from a son of thirty years and above, and the number of men by head of each man was thirtyeight thousand.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Levites numbered themselves from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls amounted to thirty and eight thousand men.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Divisions of the Levites
2Then he gathered all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. 3The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000 4“Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges,…

Cross References
Numbers 4:3
men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.

Numbers 8:24-25
“This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years of age or older shall enter to perform the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting. / But at the age of fifty, they must retire from performing the work and no longer serve.

1 Chronicles 23:24-27
These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD. / For David had said, “The LORD, the God of Israel, has given rest to His people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever. / So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.” ...

1 Chronicles 28:13
for the divisions of the priests and Levites, for all the work of service in the house of the LORD, and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD:

1 Chronicles 28:21
The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the service of the house of God, and every willing man of every skill will be at your disposal for the work. The officials and all the people are fully at your command.”

2 Chronicles 31:17
and to the priests enrolled according to their families in the genealogy, as well as to the Levites twenty years of age or older, according to their responsibilities and divisions.

Ezra 3:8
In the second month of the second year after they had arrived at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, and the rest of their associates including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began the work. They appointed Levites twenty years of age or older to supervise the construction of the house of the LORD.

1 Timothy 5:17
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

Luke 1:23
And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.

Acts 6:2-4
So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them / and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

1 Peter 5:1-2
As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: / Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;

1 Corinthians 9:13-14
Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

Hebrews 7:23
Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.

Hebrews 9:6
When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties.


Treasury of Scripture

Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.

the Levites

Numbers 4:2,3,23,30,35,43,47
Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers, …

thirty and eight

Numbers 4:48
Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore.

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Age Census Counted Eight Heads Levites Mighty Numbered Polls Thirty Thirty-Eight Thousand Total Upward
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Age Census Counted Eight Heads Levites Mighty Numbered Polls Thirty Thirty-Eight Thousand Total Upward
1 Chronicles 23
1. David in his old age makes Solomon king
2. The number and distribution of the Levites
7. The families of the Gershonites
12. The sons of Kohath
21. The sons of Merari
24. The office of the Levites














The Levites
The Levites were a distinct tribe in Israel, set apart for religious duties and service to God. Their role was crucial in maintaining the spiritual life of the nation. Historically, the Levites were descendants of Levi, one of Jacob's twelve sons. They were chosen by God to serve in the tabernacle and later in the temple, emphasizing the importance of holiness and dedication in worship. The Levites' responsibilities included teaching the law, leading worship, and performing sacrifices, highlighting their integral role in Israel's covenant relationship with God.

thirty years old and upward
This phrase indicates the age requirement for Levites to begin their service. The age of thirty is significant in biblical terms, often associated with maturity and readiness for leadership. For instance, Joseph began his service to Pharaoh at thirty, and Jesus began His public ministry at the same age. This age requirement underscores the need for maturity, wisdom, and experience in those who serve in spiritual capacities, reflecting a principle that service to God requires preparation and readiness.

were counted
The act of counting the Levites signifies organization and order within the community of Israel. It reflects the importance of accountability and stewardship in God's work. In a broader sense, this counting can be seen as a reminder that God knows each of His servants by name and values their contributions. It also emphasizes the communal aspect of worship and service, where each individual plays a vital role in the larger body of believers.

the total number of men
This phrase highlights the collective strength and unity of the Levites. In the context of Israel, numbers often represented strength and capability. The Levites, though not warriors, were a spiritual force, underscoring the power of dedicated service to God. This collective identity also points to the importance of community in fulfilling God's purposes, where each member's contribution is essential to the whole.

was thirty-eight thousand
The specific number of thirty-eight thousand Levites indicates the substantial size of this group dedicated to serving God. This large number reflects the significant resources God provided for the spiritual leadership and maintenance of worship in Israel. It serves as a reminder of God's provision and the importance He places on worship and spiritual leadership. Historically, this number also suggests the growth and stability of the nation under God's guidance, as well as the organized structure of religious life in Israel.

(3) Now . . . and--i.e., after the council had agreed upon it.

The Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward.--A census like that which Moses instituted (Numbers 4:3; Numbers 4:23; Numbers 4:30, &c.), of all Levites "from thirty years old and upward unto fifty years," for the work of the Tabernacle.

By their polls, man by man.--Lit., As to their skulls, as to men. The second phrase defines the first, and excludes women and children.

Verse 3. - Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward. The thing which Joab had rightly resisted (1 Chronicles 21:3-6) and shrunk from doing was now rightly done. There was now a practical and a legitimate object for doing it. This consideration helps to determine what it was that "displeased the Lord" in the former general census of David. In connection with this clause, 1 Chronicles 27:23 should be noted, where we read, "But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the Lord had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens." The period from the age of thirty years up to fifty (Numbers 4:3, 23, 35, 39) was fixed under Moses, for those "that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation" (Numbers 4:47). It is not certain, however, that this census did not inquire, in point of fact, respecting some below this limit of age. For we may note ver. 24 in the first place, and this is partly explained by Numbers 8:23-25. The number "thirty and eight thousand" of our present verse may be compared with the "eight thousand and five hundred and four score" of Numbers 4:47, 48. It is to be observed how promptly the national council did on this occasion commence with the arrangement of the ministers of religion, "the Levites." As we read (Numbers 4:3) of "thirty years" of age as the appointed age for the commencement of their ministry, and (Numbers 7:3) of the present or "offering" of "six covered waggons and twelve oxen," which the twelve "princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, princes of the tribes," offered "before the Lord," which greatly lessened the laborious work of the Levites; so we find the commencing age reduced from time to time, to "twenty-five" years (Numbers 8:24), and to "twenty years" of age, as in our present chapter (vers. 24-28).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The Levites
הַלְוִיִּ֔ם (hal·wî·yim)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

thirty
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים (šə·lō·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 7970: Thirty, thirtieth

years of age
מִבֶּ֛ן (mib·ben)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

and older
וָמָ֑עְלָה (wā·mā·‘ə·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605: The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top

were counted,
וַיִּסָּֽפְרוּ֙ (way·yis·sā·p̄ə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

and the total number
מִסְפָּרָ֤ם (mis·pā·rām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration

of men
לִגְבָרִ֔ים (liḡ·ḇā·rîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1397: A valiant man, warrior, a person simply

was
וַיְהִ֨י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

38,000
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים (šə·lō·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 7970: Thirty, thirtieth


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 23:3 The Levites were numbered from thirty years (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 23:2
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