Big Idea: That which is holy must be guarded.

Understanding the Text

The census of Israel (Num. 1–2) is followed by the census of the Levites (Num. 3–4). The priests and Levites are not counted in the census of Numbers 1–2 because they are not to participate in the conquest in view of their sacred duties (see the sidebar). But in Numbers 3–4 they have their own census on different principles. In Numbers 3 they count every male from one month old and above who serves as a substitute for Israel’s firstborn. Numbers 4 counts only those eligible for sacred service (males age thirty to fifty).

Numbers 3–4 can be outlined as follows:

1. The family of priests (3:1–4)
2. Guard duties of Levites (3:5–10)
3. Levites substitute for the firstborn (3:11–13)
4. Census and other duties of Levites (3:14–39)
5. Re…