LEVITE CENSUS

“…all those from thirty to fifty years old; these will enter the corps doing the work in the tent of meeting.”
Numbers 4:3

In reading the beginning of Numbers, we read that Moshe was to take a census of all of Isra’el. In chapter 4, however, we read of a different census being taken. While all the Levites had been counted, a more specific count was about to be taken. It is in this census that Moshe was to count the Levites only, ranging from the age of thirty to fifty. The reason for this census or count of people was based on the work that the Levites would have to perform when moving from place to place. In short, the carrying of the Sanctuary objects and pieces, as well as guard duty, was to fall on the men within this age range. The thought is that these men were to be responsible and emotionally mature, enabling them to perform the tasks at hand with complete dedication. Add to this the need of physical ability concerning the heavy objects, and defense, including hand to hand combat skills, and this duty could not be given to just man.

Numbers 4:1-20