Numbers Chapter 3
In the second chapter of Numbers, we learn that the 12 tribes of Israel were to camp around the perimeters of the Tabernacle (or Tent of Meeting). The 12 tribes did however leave space between the Tabernacle and their tents as instructed by God. In that space the Tribe of Levi camped outside the courtyard of the Tabernacle. The sons of Levi Gershon, Kohath and Merari and their respective families camped on three sides around the Tabernacle. And on the fourth side, the east side, Moses, Aaron and his sons (the priests) camped.
What I learned in this passage is that the priests came directly from the line of Aaron. (See Exodus 28:1). I previously stated that the Levites were the tribe designated to be the priests. This is only partially correct. Aaron was a Levite which means that all the priests were Levites, but not all the Levites were priests. The priest could not fulfill all the religious needs of the people themselves, so God appointed the entire tribe of Levi to assist in all the religious responsibilities just short of the priestly duties of the Tabernacle.
Numbers 3:2-3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests.
”It is important to realize that the priests were only one small family among the Levites. To be a priest and to be a Levite were not the same thing at all. Only those who were descendants of Aaron could be priests.” [Guzik]
Let's Reflect
1. Of the four sons born to Aaron and anointed to be priests, only two sons remained to become priests serving in the Tabernacle. What were their names?
2. In the previous chapter a census was taken of all males age 20 and older that were fit for war. In this chapter Moses will be instructed to take a census of the tribe of Levi broken down by his 3 sons Gershon, Kohath and Merari. How old did the males have to be in the census count of the Levite clans?
3. In verses 17-37 we are given a lot of specific information for each of those 3 sons. What information was given for each?
4. You may have noticed that the census numbers for the Levite sons when added do not match the grand total given in verse 39. Bible scholars explain that in Hebrew there are symbols for numbers that are very similar. What was the grand total of Levite sons?
5. To understand the difference of the grand total of Levite sons and the total of verse 43 we need to understand who God is calling His firstfruits. The entire tribe of Levi is a firstfruit to God, all of them. As for the rest of the people of Israel the first born was considered the firstfruit. And the total number of them is listed in verse 43. What is the total number of firstborn males? [This number is most likely only a census of those born after leaving Egypt since the total number of the firstborn of the entire population would be much larger.]
6. Because the number of firstborn males of the general population outnumbered the males of the Levites, by 273 God instructed the population of Israel to pay a redemption price for each of the 273. What price per person did He assign as a redemption price?
7. Who received the redemption money?
