2 "Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families.
2 Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,
2 "Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their clans and their fathers' houses,
2 "Number the Kohathite line of Levites by clan and family.
2 "Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the children of Levi, by their families, by their fathers' house,
2 "Record the names of the members of the clans and families of the Kohathite division of the tribe of Levi.
3 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.
3 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.
3 from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who can come on duty, to do the work in the tent of meeting.
3 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age, all who enter the ministry to work in the Tent of Meeting.
3 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.
3 List all the men between the ages of thirty and fifty who are eligible to serve in the Tabernacle.
(Read Numbers 4:1-3)
The middle-aged men of the tribe of Levi, all from thirty years old to fifty, were to be employed in the service of the tabernacle. The service of God requires the best of our strength, and the prime portion of our time, which cannot be better spent than to the honour of Him who is the First and Best. And the service of God should be done when we are most lively and active. Those do not consider this who put off repentance to old age, and so leave the best work to be done in the worst time.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 4:2
Commentary on Numbers 4:1-3
(Read Numbers 4:1-3)
The middle-aged men of the tribe of Levi, all from thirty years old to fifty, were to be employed in the service of the tabernacle. The service of God requires the best of our strength, and the prime portion of our time, which cannot be better spent than to the honour of Him who is the First and Best. And the service of God should be done when we are most lively and active. Those do not consider this who put off repentance to old age, and so leave the best work to be done in the worst time.