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◄ Numbers 4:3►

New International Version
Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.

New Living Translation
List all the men between the ages of thirty and fifty who are eligible to serve in the Tabernacle.

English Standard Version
from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who can come on duty, to do the work in the tent of meeting.

Berean Standard Bible
men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.

King James Bible
From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.

New King James Version
from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting.

New American Standard Bible
from thirty years old and upward, even to fifty years old, everyone who can enter the serviceof ministry to do work in the tent of meeting.

NASB 1995
from thirty years and upward, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tent of meeting.

NASB 1977
from thirty years and upward, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tent of meeting.

Legacy Standard Bible
from thirty years and upward, even to fifty years old, all who enter the duty of doing the work in the tent of meeting.

Amplified Bible
from thirty years old and upward, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle).

Christian Standard Bible
men from thirty years old to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to do work at the tent of meeting.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
men from 30 years old to 50 years old—everyone who is qualified to do work at the tent of meeting.”

American Standard Version
from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter upon the service, to do the work in the tent of meeting.

English Revised Version
from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter upon the service, to do the work in the tent of meeting.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Register all the men between the ages of 30 and 50 who are qualified to work at the tent of meeting.

Good News Translation
and to register all the men between the ages of thirty and fifty who were qualified to work in the Tent of the LORD's presence.

International Standard Version
from 30 years and older through the age of 50 years, from everyone who can enter the service to perform work at the Tent of Meeting.

NET Bible
from thirty years old and upward to fifty years old, all who enter the company to do the work in the tent of meeting.

New Heart English Bible
from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all who enter into the service, to do the work in the Tent of Meeting.

Webster's Bible Translation
From thirty years old and upward, even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.

World English Bible
from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all who enter into the service to do the work in the Tent of Meeting.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
from a son of thirty years and upward, even until a son of fifty years, everyone going in to the host, to do work in the Tent of Meeting.

Young's Literal Translation
from a son of thirty years and upward, even till a son of fifty years, every one going in to the host, to do work in the tent of meeting.

Smith's Literal Translation
From the son of thirty years and above, and to the son of fifty years, all coming in to war to do the works of the tent of appointment.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
From thirty years old and upward, to fifty years old, of all that go in to stand and to minister in the tabernacle of the covenant.

Catholic Public Domain Version
from thirty years and above, even to the fiftieth year, of all who enter so as to stand and minister in the tabernacle of the covenant.

New American Bible
all between thirty and fifty years of age, who will join the personnel for doing tasks in the tent of meeting.

New Revised Standard Version
from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who qualify to do work relating to the tent of meeting.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
From thirty years old and upward to fifty years old, all who can enter into the host to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
From a son of thirty years and above, and unto outside fifty years, all who come into the host to do work in the Time Tent.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter upon the service, to do work in the tent of meeting.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
from twenty-five years old and upward until fifty years, every one that goes in to minister, to do all the works in the tabernacle of witness.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Duties of the Kohathites
…2“Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families,3men from thirty to fifty years old —everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.4This service of the Kohathites at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

1 Chronicles 23:3
The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000.

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.

Leviticus 8:24-26
Moses also presented Aaron’s sons and put some of the blood on their right earlobes, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then he splattered the blood on all sides of the altar. / And Moses took the fat—the fat tail, all the fat that was on the entrails, the lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with their fat—as well as the right thigh. / And from the basket of unleavened bread that was before the LORD, he took one cake of unleavened bread, one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer, and he placed them on the fat portions and on the right thigh.

Leviticus 10:4-5
Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel, and said to them, “Come here; carry the bodies of your cousins outside the camp, away from the front of the sanctuary.” / So they came forward and carried them, still in their tunics, outside the camp, as Moses had directed.

Leviticus 21:21-23
No descendant of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall approach to present the food offerings to the LORD. Since he has a defect, he is not to come near to offer the food of his God. / He may eat the most holy food of his God as well as the holy food, / but because he has a defect, he must not go near the veil or approach the altar, so as not to desecrate My sanctuaries. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them.’”

Numbers 8:24-26
“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. / After that, they may assist their brothers in fulfilling their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves are not to do the work. This is how you are to assign responsibilities to the Levites.”

Numbers 18:6-7
Behold, I Myself have selected your fellow Levites from the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to perform the service for the Tent of Meeting. / But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”

1 Samuel 2:18
Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod.

1 Samuel 2:28
And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.

1 Samuel 3:1
And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce.

1 Samuel 3:20
So all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.

Treasury of Scripture

From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.

thirty years

Numbers 8:24-26
Thisis it thatbelongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: …

Genesis 41:46
And Josephwas thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

1 Chronicles 23:3,24-27
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…

enter

2 Kings 11:4-12
And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king's son…

2 Chronicles 23:1-11
And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him…

2 Corinthians 10:3,4
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: …

to do

Numbers 3:7,8
And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle…

Numbers 16:9
Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?

1 Chronicles 6:48
Their brethren also the Leviteswere appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.

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Numbers 4

1.The age at which the Levites were to serve, and the duration of the service
4.The duty of the Kohathites
16.The charge of Eleazar
17.The office of the priests
21.The duty of the Gershonites
29.Of the Merarites
34.The number of the Kohathites
38.Of the Gershonites
42.And of the Merarites

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

men from thirty to fifty years old
This age range was significant in ancient Israelite culture, as it represented the prime years of a man's life, combining physical strength with maturity and experience. The age of thirty is often seen as the beginning of full maturity and responsibility, as seen in the lives of Joseph (Genesis 41:46), David (2 Samuel 5:4), and Jesus (Luke 3:23). The upper limit of fifty likely reflects the physical demands of the Levitical duties, which required strength and endurance. This age range ensured that those serving were at their peak capability to handle the responsibilities of the Tabernacle service.

everyone who is qualified to serve
The qualification to serve was not merely about age but also about being ritually clean and spiritually prepared. The Levites were set apart for the service of the Lord, and their duties required a level of holiness and dedication. This concept of being "qualified" can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament idea of being called and equipped for ministry (1 Timothy 3:1-7). The emphasis on qualification underscores the importance of readiness and suitability for the sacred tasks at hand.

in the work at the Tent of Meeting
The Tent of Meeting, also known as the Tabernacle, was the central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The work involved in the Tent of Meeting included the care and transport of the sacred objects, as well as assisting in the sacrificial system. This service was a foreshadowing of the ultimate work of Christ, who fulfilled the law and became the mediator between God and humanity (Hebrews 9:11-12). The Tent of Meeting was a temporary structure, pointing to the eternal dwelling of God with His people, ultimately realized in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14;Revelation 21:3).

Persons / Places / Events

1.The Levites
A tribe of Israel set apart for religious duties and service in the Tabernacle, later the Temple. They were responsible for the care and transport of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.

2.The Tent of Meeting
Also known as the Tabernacle, it was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness.

3.Moses and Aaron
Leaders of the Israelites who were responsible for organizing the Levites and ensuring the proper conduct of worship and service in the Tent of Meeting.

4.The Wilderness Journey
The period during which the Israelites traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land, during which the Tabernacle was central to their worship and community life.

5.The Age Range (30-50 years)
This specific age range was designated for active service in the Tabernacle, indicating a period of maturity and strength.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Maturity in Service
The age requirement of thirty to fifty years signifies a period of maturity, wisdom, and physical capability. This teaches us the value of being prepared and mature in our spiritual service.

The Role of the Levites as Servants
The Levites were set apart for service, reminding us of our call to serve God and others with dedication and faithfulness.

The Significance of the Tent of Meeting
The Tent of Meeting was central to Israel's worship, symbolizing God's presence. Our lives should also be centered around worship and the presence of God.

The Balance of Work and Rest
The age limit of fifty suggests a balance between work and rest, encouraging us to recognize seasons in our lives for active service and times for rest and renewal.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Numbers 4:3?

2.What duties were assigned to men aged 30-50 in Numbers 4:3?

3.How does Numbers 4:3 emphasize the importance of age in spiritual service?

4.Why is the age range significant in the context of priestly duties?

5.How can we apply the principle of readiness from Numbers 4:3 today?

6.What New Testament passages parallel the concept of readiness for God's work?

7.What is the significance of the age range specified in Numbers 4:3 for Levitical service?

8.How does Numbers 4:3 reflect the organization and structure of ancient Israelite society?

9.Why does Numbers 4:3 emphasize the physical strength required for Levitical duties?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 4?

11.Why does Numbers 8:24–25 state Levites begin serving at age 25, while Numbers 4:3 says they start at age 30?

12.Why did Jesus start His ministry at age 30?

13.Why did Jesus start His ministry at age 30?

14.Numbers 4:29–30 – Why does God prescribe a seemingly arbitrary age range for the Merarites’ duties, and does this contradict other biblical texts about priestly service?

What Does Numbers 4:3 Mean

Men

When the Lord directed Moses to count “men” for this task, He was repeating the pattern He had already established for priestly and Levitical service (Exodus 27:21, “Aaron and his sons shall keep it”).

• The role demanded physical strength for dismantling, carrying, and setting up the Tabernacle (Numbers 7:9).

• It also required spiritual leadership; these men stood as visible representatives of the nation before God (Deuteronomy 18:5).

• By assigning the duty to males, God preserved a clear line of responsibility and accountability, mirrored later in the choosing of the apostles (Mark 3:13-14).

From thirty to fifty years old

“From thirty to fifty years old” (Numbers 4:3) highlights a sweet spot of life: mature yet still vigorous.

• Thirty marked full adulthood among the Levites (1 Chronicles 23:3, “The Levites thirty years old and upward were numbered”).

• Jesus began public ministry at about thirty (Luke 3:23), underscoring the wisdom of this age threshold.

• By fifty, the heaviest lifting was past; older Levites could mentor the younger (Numbers 8:25-26).

• The span balances energy and experience—an example for any believer considering seasons of service.

Everyone who is qualified

The phrase “everyone who is qualified” stresses that calling is not automatic; it involves proven readiness (Numbers 8:24, “From twenty-five years of age or more one comes to perform the service”).

• Qualification included personal holiness, ceremonial cleansing, and faithful obedience (Leviticus 8:6, 30).

• Paul echoes the idea: a servant must be “an instrument for noble purposes, useful to the Master” (2 Timothy 2:21).

• God’s work still requires character, not just desire, inviting us to submit to His refining process.

To serve

Service is the heartbeat of this verse.Deuteronomy 10:8 reminds us the Levites were chosen “to stand before the LORD to minister.”

• Their attitude was to matchPsalm 100:2, “Serve the LORD with gladness.”

• Believers today are urged, “serve the Lord” (Romans 12:11), making every task an offering of worship.

In the work

The word “work” shows that ministry was hands-on labor.

• They handled “all the furnishings of the tabernacle” (Exodus 27:19).

• Paul’s encouragement applies: “your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

• Whether lifting poles or teaching a class, God values diligent effort done for His glory.

At the Tent of Meeting

The Tent of Meeting was where God dwelled among His people (Exodus 33:7).

• It previewed the greater reality of Christ: “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us” (John 1:14).

•Hebrews 9:1 notes that the first covenant had “an earthly sanctuary,” pointing forward to the heavenly one.

• Every believer now approaches God through Jesus, yet the call to reverent service around His presence remains.

Summary

Numbers 4:3 lays out a clear, practical blueprint: God appoints specific people (men), in a prime season of life (thirty to fifty), whose proven character meets His standard (qualified), for wholehearted ministry (serve), expressed through diligent effort (work), in the place where He chooses to dwell among His people (Tent of Meeting). The verse reminds us that effective service still requires God-given roles, maturity, integrity, energy, and a worshipful heart focused on His presence.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3)From thirty years old and upward evenuntil fifty years old.--The previous census of the Levites was from a month old. The present census was with a view to the discharge of duties requiring a considerable amount of physical strength, and hence the prescribed age for entering upon these duties was fixed at this time at thirty, and limited to fifty. It has been supposed by some that five years were spent in preparation for the service, and that it is in this way that the apparent discrepancy between this verse andNumbers 8:24, where the age for entering upon the service is fixed at twenty-five, is to be reconciled. (See Note onNumbers 8:24.) In Eastern countries the strength fails at an earlier period than in colder and more temperate climates. Thirty was the age at which John the Baptist and our Lord entered upon their public ministry.

All that enter into the host.--Or,every one who enters upon the service.The wordzaba,commonly renderedhost,and used elsewhere to denote military service, is here used to denote the service of the sanctuary.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. -From thirty years old and upward. The age at which they became liable for service was shortly after reduced to twenty-five (Numbers 8:24), and at a later period to twenty (1 Chronicles 23:27). In the wilderness a larger number of the men might be required to attend to their own camps, and their own families; but the explanation may probably be found in the unusually large proportion who were at this time between the ages of thirty and fifty. The Septuagint has altered thirty into twenty-five to make it agree withNumbers 8:24. Thirty years became among the Jews the perfect age at which a man attained to full maturity, and entered upon all his fights and duties (cf.Luke 3:23).Into the host. Not the military ranks, but themilitia sacra of the Lord.To do the work. Literally, "to war the warfare."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

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

to
וְעַ֖ד(wə·‘aḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, while

fifty
חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים(ḥă·miš·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 2572:Fifty

years old—
בֶּן־(ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121:A son

everyone
כָּל־(kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, every

who is qualified
בָּא֙(bā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, go

to serve
לַצָּבָ֔א(laṣ·ṣā·ḇā)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6635:A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

in the work
מְלָאכָ֖ה(mə·lā·ḵāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4399:Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property

at the Tent
בְּאֹ֥הֶל(bə·’ō·hel)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168:A tent

of Meeting.
מוֹעֵֽד׃(mō·w·‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150:Appointed time, place, or meeting

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OT Law: Numbers 4:3 From thirty years old and upward even (Nu Num.)