Numbers 3: The Levites Serve

The chapter names Aaron's sons, the priests, and recalls the death of Nadab and Abihu. God gives the Levites to Aaron to serve at the tabernacle. The three Levite clans, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, each have duties. God takes the Levites in place of Israel's firstborn, and the extra firstborn are redeemed with money.

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World English Bible · 51 verses

¹ Now this is the history of the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that Yahweh spoke with Moses in Mount Sinai.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s office.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ Nadab and Abihu died before Yahweh when they offered strange fire before Yahweh in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the presence of Aaron their father.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ They shall keep his requirements, and the requirements of the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ They shall keep all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, and the obligations of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ You shall give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons. They are wholly given to him on the behalf of the children of Israel.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood, but the stranger who comes near shall be put to death.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn who open the womb among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I made holy to me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and animal. They shall be mine. I am Yahweh.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ “Count the children of Levi by their fathers’ houses, by their families. You shall count every male from a month old and upward.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ Moses counted them according to Yahweh’s word, as he was commanded.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ These were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ These are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ The sons of Kohath by their families: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ The sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites. These are the families of the Gershonites.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² Those who were counted of them, according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward, even those who were counted of them were seven thousand five hundred.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ The families of the Gershonites shall encamp behind the tabernacle westward.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ Eliasaph the son of Lael shall be the prince of the fathers’ house of the Gershonites.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ The duty of the sons of Gershon in the Tent of Meeting shall be the tabernacle, the tent, its covering, the screen for the door of the Tent of Meeting,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ the hangings of the court, the screen for the door of the court which is by the tabernacle and around the altar, and its cords for all of its service.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, the family of the Izharites, the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites. These are the families of the Kohathites.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ According to the number of all the males from a month old and upward, there were eight thousand six hundred keeping the requirements of the sanctuary.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ The families of the sons of Kohath shall encamp on the south side of the tabernacle.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ The prince of the fathers’ house of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ Their duty shall be the ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altars, the vessels of the sanctuary with which they minister, the screen, and all its service.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be prince of the princes of the Levites, with the oversight of those who keep the requirements of the sanctuary.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites. These are the families of Merari.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁴ Those who were counted of them, according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward, were six thousand two hundred.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁵ The prince of the fathers’ house of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. They shall encamp on the north side of the tabernacle.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁶ The appointed duty of the sons of Merari shall be the tabernacle’s boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, all its instruments, all its service,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁷ the pillars of the court around it, their sockets, their pins, and their cords.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁸ Those who encamp before the tabernacle eastward, in front of the Tent of Meeting toward the sunrise, shall be Moses, with Aaron and his sons, keeping the requirements of the sanctuary for the duty of the children of Israel. The outsider who comes near shall be put to death.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁹ All who were counted of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron counted at the commandment of Yahweh, by their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty-two thousand.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁰ Yahweh said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴¹ You shall take the Levites for me—I am Yahweh—instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴² Moses counted, as Yahweh commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴³ All the firstborn males according to the number of names from a month old and upward, of those who were counted of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁴ Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁵ “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock; and the Levites shall be mine. I am Yahweh.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁶ For the redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel who exceed the number of the Levites,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁷ you shall take five shekels apiece for each one; according to the shekel of the sanctuary you shall take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs);This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁸ and you shall give the money, with which their remainder is redeemed, to Aaron and to his sons.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁹ Moses took the redemption money from those who exceeded the number of those who were redeemed by the Levites;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁰ from the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵¹ and Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and to his sons, according to Yahweh’s word, as Yahweh commanded Moses.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

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Numbers 3 · Preschool

Helpers at God's House

Name Date

Color the Levites helping at God's tent! God gave them special jobs.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.

Numbers 3:6 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: The Levites were God's helpers. We can be God's helpers too.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Numbers 3 · Grade 4

The Levites Belong to God

Name Date

Read and Think

Numbers 3 introduces Aaron's family. Nadab and Abihu had died after offering strange fire, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests with Aaron. God then gave the whole tribe of Levi to assist the priests, guarding the tabernacle and doing its work.

The Levites were counted from one month old and up. Each of the three clans had a place around the tabernacle and its own task. Gershon cared for the curtains, Kohath for the holy furniture, and Merari for the frames and posts. Moses, Aaron, and his sons camped on the east, in front of the entrance.

God explained why the Levites were His. At Passover in Egypt, God spared Israel's firstborn, so every firstborn belonged to Him. Now God took the Levites in their place. The 273 extra firstborn were redeemed with five shekels each. This pictures redemption: a price paid to set someone free.

Show What You Know

Who served as priests with Aaron?
What did Merari care for?
Why did every firstborn belong to God?
What does redemption picture?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

LeviAaronfirstbornGodGershon

Nadab and Abihu had died after offering strange fire, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests with .
God then gave the whole tribe of to assist the priests, guarding the tabernacle and doing its work.
cared for the curtains, Kohath for the holy furniture, and Merari for the frames and posts.
explained why the Levites were His.
The 273 extra were redeemed with five shekels each.

Think About It

1 Peter 1:18-19 says we were redeemed by the blood of Christ. What does that mean to you?
What job might God be giving you to serve Him?

Memory Verse

“You shall give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons. They are wholly given to him on the behalf of the children of Israel.”

Numbers 3:9 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for letting me serve You. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What does it mean to be redeemed?
How does it feel to be bought back by someone who loves you?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Numbers 3 · Grade 5

Redeemed and Set Apart

Name Date

Read and Think

Numbers 3 opens with the generations of Aaron and Moses. Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before Yahweh, and they had no children. Eleazar and Ithamar continued as priests. God then commanded that the tribe of Levi be brought near and given wholly to Aaron and his sons, to keep the requirements of the tabernacle on behalf of the congregation.

Unlike the other tribes, the Levites were counted from a month old and upward, numbering 22,000. The Gershonites camped west and cared for the tent, its coverings, and its screens. The Kohathites camped south and cared for the ark, table, lampstand, altars, and holy vessels. The Merarites camped north and cared for the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets. Moses and Aaron camped east, guarding the entrance.

The deeper reason was redemption. For all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I made holy to me all the firstborn in Israel. The Levites now stood in place of Israel's firstborn. The 273 firstborn in excess of the Levites were redeemed for five shekels each. The New Testament speaks of believers as redeemed not with silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19), and the church is called the assembly of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:23).

Show What You Know

Why did Eleazar and Ithamar continue as priests?
From what age were the Levites counted?
Which clan cared for the ark and holy vessels?
Why did all the firstborn belong to God?
What does 1 Peter 1:18-19 say believers are redeemed with?

Crossword

Across

Helpers at the tabernacle.
Clan that cared for holy things.

Down

Clan that cared for frames.
God took Levites in place of them.
One Levite clan.
His sons were the priests.

Think About It

How does knowing you were redeemed at a price change how you live?
Every clan had a different task. Why is it important that everyone in the church serves in their own way?

Memory Verse

“Moses counted, as Yahweh commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel.”

Numbers 3:42 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for letting me serve You. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What would change if you saw your daily tasks as belonging to God?
How can you serve God in small, unseen jobs?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Numbers 3: The Levites Serve

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Helpers at God's House

Prayer

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God's Helpers

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Mini Maze

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Serving Together

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The Levites Serve

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A Special Job

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Given to Aaron

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The Levites Serve

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The Levites Belong to God

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Word Bank Fill-In

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Redeemed and Set Apart

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Crossword

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Prayer

Take It Home

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