Numbers 3:28
The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. They were responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.
The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600

The Kohathites formed the largest division of the Levites. Every male from one month upward was counted because the Levites belonged to the Lord in place of Israel’s firstborn and were set apart as a whole for tabernacle service. Actual transport duties were assigned only to men from thirty to fifty years old (Numbers 4:3), but the census established the clan’s full standing within God’s appointed order.

Num 18:15-16 The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast…
Lev 27:6 Now if the person is from one month to five years of age,…
Num 8:17-18 For every firstborn male in Israel is Mine,…

They were responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.

Kohath’s family guarded and carried the holiest furnishings of the tabernacle, including the ark, table, lampstand, altars, and sacred utensils. Aaron and his sons covered these objects before the Kohathites approached them, for no Kohathite could look upon or touch the holy things and live (Numbers 4:15, 20). Their service taught Israel that access to God’s presence required holiness, mediation, and obedience. The guarded sanctuary also anticipated Christ, the perfect High Priest, through whom believers draw near to God.

1Ch 23:32 So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities.…
Num 18:3-5 And they shall attend to all the duties of the Tent;…
Num 4:15-16 When Aaron and his sons have finished covering…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Levites
A tribe set apart for the service of the Tabernacle, responsible for its care and the duties associated with worship.

2. The Sanctuary
The sacred place where God's presence dwelled among the Israelites, requiring careful maintenance and reverence.

3. Moses and Aaron
Leaders of the Israelites, responsible for organizing the Levites and ensuring the proper worship of God.

4. The Census
A counting of the Levite males, emphasizing the importance of order and structure in the service of God.

5. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence, central to Israelite worship and community life.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Order in Worship
God values order and structure in worship, as seen in the detailed organization of the Levites.

The Role of Service in the Community of Faith
The Levites' dedication to the sanctuary reminds us of the importance of serving within our faith communities.

The Sacredness of God's Presence
The responsibilities of the Levites underscore the holiness of God's presence and the reverence required in worship.

Generational Responsibility
The census of males a month old or more indicates the ongoing responsibility of each generation to uphold the worship and service of God.

Spiritual Readiness and Dedication
Just as the Levites were set apart for service, believers today are called to be spiritually ready and dedicated to God's work.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the organization of the Levites in Numbers 3:28 reflect God's desire for order in worship, and how can we apply this principle in our church services today?

2. In what ways can we, like the Levites, dedicate ourselves to serving our faith communities?

3. How does the role of the Levites in maintaining the sanctuary relate to the New Testament teaching on the priesthood of all believers?

4. What can we learn from the generational aspect of the Levites' service about passing down faith and responsibilities to the next generation?

5. How does the sacredness of the sanctuary in the Old Testament inform our understanding of God's presence in our lives today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 28-29
These chapters describe the consecration of the priests and the specific garments and rituals, highlighting the sacred duties of the Levites.

1 Chronicles 23
This passage details the organization of the Levites under King David, showing the continuity and importance of their role.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the earthly sanctuary and its regulations, drawing a parallel to the heavenly sanctuary and the ultimate priesthood of Christ.
Doing God's WorkW. Clarkson Numbers 3:1-32
The Church Engaged in a Work of Moral RepairJ.S. Exell Numbers 3:1-32
The Families of Levi Get Their Several CommissionsW. Binnie Numbers 3:1-32
People
Aaron, Abihail, Abihu, Amram, Amramites, Eleazar, Eliasaph, Elizaphan, Gershon, Gershonites, Hebronites, Israelites, Ithamar, Izehar, Izeharites, Izhar, Izharites, Kohath, Kohathites, Lael, Levi, Levites, Libni, Libnites, Mahli, Mahlites, Merari, Moses, Mushi, Mushites, Nadab, Shimei, Shimeites, Shimites, Uzziel, Uzzielites, Zuriel
Places
Egypt, Mount Sinai, Sinai
Topics
8, Care, 600, Charge, Duties, Eight, Holy, Hundred, Keepers, Keeping, Kept, Kohathites, Male, Males, Month, Numbered, Numbering, Performing, Requirements, Responsible, Sanctuary, Six, Thousand, Upward
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 3:26

     5578   tents

Numbers 3:25-26

     7344   curtain

Library
Fifth Day. Holiness and Redemption.
Sanctify unto me all the first-born.'--Ex. xiii. 2. 'All the first-born are mine; for on the day I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I sanctified unto me all the first-born in Israel: mine they shall be: I am the Lord.'--Num. iii. 13, viii. 17. 'For I am the Lord your God that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.'--Lev. xi. 45. 'I have redeemed thee; thou art mine.'--Isa. xliii. 1. At Horeb we saw how the
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

It Will be Attempted to Give a Complete List of his Writings In
chronological order; those included in this volume will be marked with an asterisk and enumerated in this place without remark. The figures prefixed indicate the probable date. (1) 318: *Two books contra Gentes,' viz. c. Gent. and De Incarn. (2) 321-2: *Depositio Arii (on its authorship, see Introd.) (3) 328-373: *Festal Letters. (4) 328-335? *Ecthesis or Expositio Fidei. (5) Id.? *In Illud Omnia, etc. (6) 339: *Encyclica ad Episcopos ecclesiæ catholicæ. (7) 343: *Sardican Letters (46,
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.
(the Temple at Jerusalem, b.c. 4) ^C Luke II. 21-39. ^c 21 And when eight days [Gen. xvii. 12] were fulfilled for circumcising him [The rite was doubtless performed by Joseph. By this rite Jesus was "made like unto his brethren" (Heb. ii. 16, 17); that is, he became a member of the covenant nation, and became a debtor to the law--Gal. v. 3] , his name was called JESUS [see Luke i. 59], which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. [Luke i. 31.] 22 And when the days of their
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Fifth Commandment
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.' Exod 20: 12. Having done with the first table, I am next to speak of the duties of the second table. The commandments may be likened to Jacob's ladder: the first table respects God, and is the top of the ladder that reaches to heaven; the second respects superiors and inferiors, and is the foot of the ladder that rests on the earth. By the first table, we walk religiously towards God; by
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Numbers 3:28 NIV
Numbers 3:28 NLT
Numbers 3:28 ESV
Numbers 3:28 NASB
Numbers 3:28 KJV

Numbers 3:28 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Numbers 3:27
Top of Page
Top of Page