Numbers 1:47
New International Version
The ancestral tribe of the Levites, however, was not counted along with the others.

New Living Translation
But this total did not include the Levites.

English Standard Version
But the Levites were not listed along with them by their ancestral tribe.

Berean Standard Bible
The Levites, however, were not numbered along with them by the tribe of their fathers.

Berean Literal Bible
And the Levites by the tribe of their fathers were not numbered in their midst,

King James Bible
But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

New King James Version
But the Levites were not numbered among them by their fathers’ tribe;

New American Standard Bible
The Levites, however, were not counted among them by their fathers’ tribe.

NASB 1995
The Levites, however, were not numbered among them by their fathers’ tribe.

NASB 1977
The Levites, however, were not numbered among them by their fathers’ tribe.

Legacy Standard Bible
The Levites, however, were not numbered among them by their fathers’ tribe.

Amplified Bible
The Levites, however, were not numbered among them by their fathers’ tribe.

Berean Annotated Bible
The Levites, however, were not numbered along with them by the tribe of their fathers.

Christian Standard Bible
But the Levites were not registered with them by their ancestral tribe.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the Levites were not registered with them by their ancestral tribe.

American Standard Version
But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

Contemporary English Version
But those from the Levi tribe were not included

English Revised Version
But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the households from the tribe of [Levi] were not registered along with the other Israelites.

Good News Translation
The Levites were not registered with the other tribes,

International Standard Version
The descendants of Levi were not counted according to their ancestral houses

NET Bible
But the Levites, according to the tribe of their fathers, were not numbered among them.

New Heart English Bible
But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the Levites, after the tribe of their fathers, were not numbered among them.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
The Levites, however, were not numbered along with them by the tribe of their fathers.

World English Bible
But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not counted among them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the Levites, for the tribe of their fathers, have not numbered themselves in their midst,

Berean Literal Bible
And the Levites by the tribe of their fathers were not numbered in their midst,

Young's Literal Translation
And the Levites, for the tribe of their fathers, have not numbered themselves in their midst,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the Levites for the tribe of their fathers were not reviewed in the midst of them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the Levites in the tribes of their families were not numbered with them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the Levites in the tribes of their families were not numbered with them.

New American Bible
Now the Levites were not enrolled by their ancestral tribe with the others.

New Revised Standard Version
The Levites, however, were not numbered by their ancestral tribe along with them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
¶But the Levites and the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Levites and the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But the Levites of the tribe of their family were not counted among the children of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Exemption of the Levites
47The Levites, however, were not numbered along with them by the tribe of their fathers. 48For the LORD had said to Moses:…

Cross References
The Levites, however,

Deuteronomy 10:8-9
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day. / That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him.

Numbers 3:11-13
Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, / “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to Me, / for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They are Mine; I am the LORD.”

Exodus 32:26-29
So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him. / He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’” / The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead. …
were not numbered

Numbers 2:33
But the Levites were not counted among the other Israelites, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Numbers 26:62
The registration of the Levites totaled 23,000, every male a month old or more; they were not numbered among the other Israelites, because no inheritance was given to them among the Israelites.

Numbers 3:39
The total number of Levites that Moses and Aaron counted by their clans at the LORD’s command, including all the males a month old or more, was 22,000.
along with them

Numbers 8:14-18
In this way you shall separate the Levites from the rest of the Israelites, and the Levites will belong to Me. / After you have cleansed them and presented them as a wave offering, they may come to serve at the Tent of Meeting. / For the Levites have been wholly given to Me from among the sons of Israel. I have taken them for Myself in place of all who come first from the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel. …

Numbers 3:41-45
You are to take the Levites for Me—I am the LORD—in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.” / So Moses numbered all the firstborn of the Israelites, as the LORD had commanded him. / The total number of the firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273. …

Deuteronomy 18:1-2
The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.
by the tribe of their fathers.

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.” …

2 Chronicles 31:17-19
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. / The genealogy included all the little ones, wives, sons, and daughters of the whole assembly. For they had faithfully consecrated themselves as holy. / As for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who lived on the farmlands around each of their cities or in any other city, men were designated by name to distribute a portion to every male among the priests and to every Levite listed by the genealogies.

1 Chronicles 6:1-3
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. / The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. / The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Exodus 28:1
“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.

Joshua 18:7
The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.”

1 Chronicles 23:13
The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.

Hebrews 7:13-14
He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. / For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.


Treasury of Scripture

But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

Numbers 1:3,50
From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies…

Numbers 2:33
But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers 3:1
These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai.

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Ancestral Counted Families Fathers However Levi Midst Numbered Others Themselves Tribe
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Ancestral Counted Families Fathers However Levi Midst Numbered Others Themselves Tribe
Numbers 1
1. God commands Moses to number the people
5. The princes of the tribes
17. The number of every tribe
47. The Levites are exempted for the service of the Lord












The Levites, however,
The Levites were a distinct tribe set apart for religious duties and service to God. Unlike the other tribes of Israel, they were not given a specific territorial inheritance in the Promised Land. Their role was primarily spiritual, serving in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This distinction highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and dedication to God’s service. The Levites' separation can be seen as a type of Christ, who is set apart for the ultimate priestly role.

were not numbered
The census in Numbers 1 was conducted to determine the number of men eligible for military service. The Levites were exempt from this count because their duties were not military but religious. This exemption underscores the principle that spiritual service is distinct from secular responsibilities. It also foreshadows the New Testament teaching that believers are a royal priesthood, set apart for spiritual service (1 Peter 2:9).

along with them
The phrase indicates a separation from the other tribes, emphasizing the unique role of the Levites. This separation is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God often sets apart individuals or groups for specific purposes. The Levites' distinct role is a reminder of the call to holiness and dedication to God’s work.

by the tribe of their fathers.
The Levites were descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Their lineage is significant because it connects them to the patriarchal promises and covenants. The emphasis on tribal lineage in Israel reflects the importance of heritage and identity in God’s plan. This tribal identity also points to the fulfillment of God’s promises through specific family lines, ultimately culminating in the lineage of Jesus Christ, who is both priest and king.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Levites
A tribe of Israel set apart for religious duties and service to the Tabernacle. They were descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob.

2. Israelites
The descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob, also known as the children of Israel. They were organized into twelve tribes, each named after one of Jacob's sons.

3. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who was commanded by God to conduct a census of the people, excluding the Levites from the military count.

4. Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wanderings in the desert, where the Levites served.

5. Wilderness of Sinai
The location where the census took place, as the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Divine Calling
The Levites were set apart by God for a specific purpose. This reminds us that God has a unique calling for each of us, and we should seek to understand and fulfill it.

Service Over Status
The Levites were not counted among the warriors, highlighting that service to God is not about status or recognition but about fulfilling His purpose.

Holiness and Separation
The Levites' separation from the census underscores the biblical principle of being set apart for holiness. As believers, we are called to live distinct lives that reflect God's character.

Faithfulness in Small Things
The Levites' duties, though not glamorous, were crucial to the spiritual life of Israel. This teaches us the value of faithfulness in the tasks God assigns, no matter how small they may seem.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Numbers 1:47?

2. Why were the Levites excluded from the census in Numbers 1:47?

3. How does Numbers 1:47 highlight the Levites' unique role among the Israelites?

4. What other scriptures emphasize the Levites' responsibilities and duties?

5. How can we apply the principle of distinct roles in our church today?

6. What does Numbers 1:47 teach about God's organization and order for His people?

7. Why were the Levites excluded from the census in Numbers 1:47?

8. What role did the Levites play according to Numbers 1:47?

9. How does Numbers 1:47 reflect God's plan for Israel's tribes?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 1?

11. What does the Bible say about tribalism?

12. Numbers 3 - How do we reconcile these population figures with other biblical passages that present different census counts?

13. Numbers 3:39 – How plausible is the total of exactly 22,000 Levites, given population estimates of that era?

14. Why do the tribe counts in Numbers 2 appear to conflict with certain census numbers elsewhere in the Old Testament?
What Does Numbers 1:47 Mean
The Levites, however

The opening words draw an immediate line of distinction. While the rest of Israel’s tribes were being counted for military service (Numbers 1:2-3), the tribe of Levi stood apart. This “however” signals God’s special purpose for them—just as Exodus 32:26-29 shows their zeal for the Lord, and Deuteronomy 10:8 reminds us that He set them apart “to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD, to minister to Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name.”


Were not numbered

• The census in Numbers 1 was specifically for men “able to go to war” (Numbers 1:3).

• By divine directive the Levites were excused from that roll call, because their calling was not the sword but the sanctuary (Numbers 1:48-50).

Numbers 3:5-10 details their duties—guarding the tabernacle, assisting the priests, handling sacred furnishings. Their “numbering” would come later, for service rather than battle (Numbers 3:15-16).


Along with them

• “Them” refers to the other eleven tribes, whose totals reached 603,550 fighting men (Numbers 1:46).

• By standing outside that tally, the Levites served as a continual reminder that Israel’s ultimate defense was not in manpower but in God’s presence dwelling among them (Psalm 20:7-8).

• Their separation foreshadowed a larger biblical theme: God calls a people within a people for priestly ministry (1 Peter 2:9).


By the tribe of their fathers

• The other tribes were registered “according to their clans and families” (Numbers 1:20-43).

• Levi’s genealogy was still important (see Exodus 6:16-25), yet their tribal identity was now eclipsed by a new, God-given assignment. Numbers 3:12-13 explains that the Levites were taken “in place of every firstborn” of Israel, underscoring substitution and redemption.

• This special status meant they would receive no territorial inheritance like the others (Numbers 18:20-24); instead, the Lord Himself was their inheritance.


summary

Numbers 1:47 highlights God’s intentional setting apart of the Levites. While every other tribe was counted for warfare, Levi was reserved for worship. Their exclusion from the military census underscores that spiritual service is as vital to the nation’s well-being as physical defense. The verse invites us to see God’s care in assigning each believer a role, reminding us that He values faithful ministry just as He values courageous battle.

Verse 47. - Not numbered among them. They were numbered (Numbers 3:39), but not among the rest; their census was taken separately, and on a different basis.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The Levites, however,
וְהַלְוִיִּ֖ם (wə·hal·wî·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

were not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

registered
הָתְפָּקְד֖וּ (hā·ṯə·pā·qə·ḏū)
Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

with
בְּתוֹכָֽם׃ (bə·ṯō·w·ḵām)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

the tribe
לְמַטֵּ֣ה (lə·maṭ·ṭêh)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

of their fathers.
אֲבֹתָ֑ם (’ă·ḇō·ṯām)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father


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OT Law: Numbers 1:47 But the Levites after the tribe (Nu Num.)
Numbers 1:46
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