34 Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the congregation counted the Kohathites by clan and family. 35 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work in the Tent of Meeting, 36 counted by clans, were 2,750. 37 This was the total from the Kohathite clans who served in the Tent of Meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them just as God had commanded through Moses. 38 The Gershonites were counted by clan and family. 39 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work in the Tent of Meeting, 40 counted by clan and family, were 2,630. 41 This was the total from the Gershonite clans who served in the Tent of Meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them just as God had commanded. 42 The Merarites were counted by clan and family. 43 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work in the Tent of Meeting, 44 counted by clan, were 3,200. 45 This was the total from the Merarite clans. Moses and Aaron counted them just as God had commanded through Moses. 46 So Moses and Aaron and the leaders of Israel counted all the Levites by clan and family. 47 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to do the work of serving and carrying the Tent of Meeting 48 numbered 8,580. 49 At God's command through Moses, each man was assigned his work and told what to carry. And that's the story of their numbering, as God commanded Moses.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 4:34-49
Commentary on Numbers 4:34-49
(Read Numbers 4:34-49)
God so ordered it, that though the Merarites were the fewest in number, yet they should have most able men among them; for whatever service God calls men to, he will furnish them for it, give strength in proportion to the work, and grace sufficient. The least of the tribes had many more able men than the Levites: those who engage in the service of this world, are many more than those devoted to the service of God. May our souls be wholly devoted to his service.