20 And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.
20 The Merarite clans: Mahli and Mushi. These were the Levite clans, according to their families.
20 And the sons of Merari by their clans: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites, by their fathers' houses.
20 The sons of Merari by clan: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of Levi, family by family.
20 And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites by their fathers' houses.
20 The clans descended from Merari were named after two of his descendants, Mahli and Mushi. These were the Levite clans, listed according to their family groups.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 3:20
Commentary on Numbers 3:14-39
(Read Numbers 3:14-39)
The Levites were in three classes, according to the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; and these were subdivided into families. The posterity of Moses were not at all honoured or privileged, but stood upon the level with other Levites; thus it was plain, that Moses did not seek the advancement of his own family, or to secure any honours to it. The tribe of Levi was by much the least of all the tribes. God's chosen are but a little flock in comparison with the world.