Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Numbers, Chapter 3במדבר 3

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

The tribe of Levi is given to Aaron in place of Israel's firstborn: the three clans — Gershon for the curtains, Kohath for the holy things, Merari for the frames — are censused and stationed around the sanctuary, and because the Levites fall 273 short of the firstborn they replace, the surplus is redeemed at five shekels a head, the silver given to the priests.

Translation & textual notes

Numbers 3 is textually stable in the MT; its most notable feature is not a variant reading but a Masoretic annotation: וְאַהֲרֹן in v. 39 carries puncta extraordinaria, dots over every letter, one of only ten such passages in the Torah. Ancient tradition (echoed in Avot de-Rabbi Natan and later commentators) read the dots as flagging scribal unease that Aaron is named alongside Moses as the one who 'numbered' the Levites, since no other verse credits Aaron with conducting a census; the device preserves the received consonantal text while signaling interpretive hesitation about it. A more consequential crux is arithmetic rather than orthographic: the three clan totals (Gershon 7,500, v. 22; Kohath 8,600, v. 28; Merari 6,200, v. 34) sum to 22,300, yet v. 39 gives the grand total as 22,000 — a 300-person shortfall with no explanation in the text. Proposed solutions range from scribal corruption in one or more clan figures to the rabbinic suggestion that 300 firstborn Levites were excluded from the count (since firstborn cannot redeem firstborn). A further demographic puzzle attends v. 43: against a general census of over 600,000 adult Israelite men (1:46), a firstborn total of only 22,273 implies a family size far larger than one would expect if 'firstborn' meant every eldest son ever born; most read it instead as firstborn living at the time of the Exodus reckoning, or firstborn since Sinai. The chapter's terminology is otherwise precise and repetitive by design: מִשְׁמֶרֶת (guard-duty), עֲבֹדָה (service), and פָּקַד (to number) recur as structuring keywords, and the Samaritan Pentateuch and versions show no substantive divergence from the MT's numbers or narrative. Versification follows the MT.

1

וְאֵ֛לֶּה תּוֹלְדֹ֥ת אַהֲרֹ֖ן וּמֹשֶׁ֑ה בְּי֗וֹם דִּבֶּ֧ר יְהוָ֛ה אֶת מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּהַ֥ר סִינָֽי

Now these are the generations of Aaron and Moses, in the day when YHWH spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.

Heading formula opening a new narrative unitוְ
וְאֵלֶּה תוֹלְדֹת ('and these are the generations of') is the standard toledot-heading that structures Genesis and recurs here, pivoting from the ordination narrative to a new unit on the priestly and Levitical order. The temporal clause dates it to the Sinai revelation, tying ch. 3 back to the giving of the cultic law.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאֵ֛לֶּהNow theseconj וְ + dem pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the verbless clause (heading formula)אֵלֶּה (H428), common plural demonstrative 'these'; the heading formula וְאֵלֶּה תוֹלְדֹת opens a new genealogical unit (cf. Gen 2:4), pivoting the narrative to the priestly line.
תּוֹלְדֹ֥תthe generations ofN f pl constr · תּוֹלְדֹת (H8435)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)תּוֹלְדֹת (H8435) 'generations, genealogical record', from יָלַד 'to bear'; here a narrative-record heading, not a literal birth-list — only Aaron's priestly sons follow.
אַהֲרֹ֖ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Genitive of the construct chainאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' elder brother, Israel's first high priest (cf. Exod 28-29).
וּמֹשֶׁ֑הand Mosesconj וְ + N proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Coordinate genitive of the construct chainמֹשֶׁה (H4872); though named in the heading, no line of Moses is given — only Aaron's sons are listed (v. 2), since the high priesthood runs through Aaron alone.
בְּי֗וֹםin the dayprep בְּ + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (antecedent of the relative clause)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; בְּיוֹם + finite verb is an idiom, 'at the time when'.
דִּבֶּ֧רspokePiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of the temporal clause→ Perfective: a completed act of divine speech that dates the whole unitדִּבֶּר (H1696), Piel of דבר 'to speak'; used regularly of divine speech-acts that inaugurate cultic instruction.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, revealed at the burning bush (Exod 3:14-15).
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositional phrase (marks the addressee of speech)אֵת/אֶת (H854), the comitative preposition 'with' — distinct from the homographic direct-object marker H853; here 'YHWH spoke with Moses'.
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition (addressee of speech)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's mediator and lawgiver, Aaron's younger brother; here named a second time as the addressee of YHWH's Sinai revelation.
בְּהַ֥רon the mountain ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase (construct)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country', construct before the place name סִינַי.
סִינָֽיSinaiN proper · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive of the construct chain (place name)סִינַי (H5514), the mountain of the theophany and lawgiving (Exod 19 - Num 10:10), where Israel's priestly and cultic order is established.
2

וְאֵ֛לֶּה שְׁמ֥וֹת בְּֽנֵי אַהֲרֹ֖ן הַבְּכ֣וֹר נָדָ֑ב וַאֲבִיה֕וּא אֶלְעָזָ֖ר וְאִיתָמָֽר

And these are the names of the sons of Aaron: the firstborn Nadab, then Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Continuation of the heading, narrowing to Aaron's sonsוְ
A second, nested אֵלֶּה-heading lists Aaron's four sons by name before the narrative recalls the death of two of them (v. 4); the naming establishes the priestly cast for the rest of the book.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְאֵ֛לֶּהAnd theseconj וְ + dem pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the verbless clause (heading formula)אֵלֶּה (H428) resumes the heading pattern of v. 1, now narrowing from 'Aaron and Moses' to Aaron's own sons specifically.
שְׁמ֥וֹתthe names ofN m pl constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; plural construct שְׁמוֹת introduces the roll call of Aaron's four sons (cf. Exod 6:23).
בְּֽנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural בְּנֵי introduces the list of Aaron's sons.
אַהֲרֹ֖ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Genitive of the construct chainאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' elder brother and Israel's first high priest (Exod 28-29); here in construct, marking possession or relation.
הַבְּכ֣וֹרthe firstbornart + N m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Apposition, identifying Nadab's statusבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; Nadab's rank makes his death without offspring (v. 4) especially pointed — the priestly line passes not to the eldest but to Eleazar.
נָדָ֑בNadabN proper · נָדָב (H5070)Subject in apposition (first named)נָדָב (H5070) 'noble, generous'; Aaron's firstborn, struck down with Abihu for offering 'strange fire' (Lev 10:1-2; recalled in v. 4).
וַאֲבִיה֕וּאthen Abihuconj וְ + N proper · אֲבִיהוּא (H30)Coordinate subject in appositionאֲבִיהוּא (H30) 'he is my father'; Aaron's second son, died with Nadab (Lev 10:1-2).
אֶלְעָזָ֖רEleazarN proper · אֶלְעָזָר (H499)Coordinate subject in appositionאֶלְעָזָר (H499) 'God has helped'; Aaron's third son, who with Ithamar inherits the priesthood after Nadab and Abihu die (v. 4) and becomes chief over the Levites (v. 32).
וְאִיתָמָֽרand Ithamarconj וְ + N proper · אִיתָמָר (H385)Coordinate subject in appositionאִיתָמָר (H385), etymology uncertain; Aaron's fourth son, later overseer of the Gershonite and Merarite Levites (4:28, 33).
3

אֵ֗לֶּה שְׁמוֹת֙ בְּנֵ֣י אַהֲרֹ֔ן הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים הַמְּשֻׁחִ֑ים אֲשֶׁר מִלֵּ֥א יָדָ֖ם לְכַהֵֽן

These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests.

Asyndetic sub-heading, resuming and specifying v. 2asyndeton
The bare אֵלֶּה without a conjunction tightly resumes the naming of v. 2 but reclassifies the four sons under their cultic title; the idiom מִלֵּא יָד 'to fill the hand' (ordain) recalls the ordination narrative of Lev 8-9, grounding ch. 3's priesthood in that prior consecration.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אֵ֗לֶּהThesedem pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the verbless clause (asyndetic sub-heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) here without a conjunction, marking a tight resumption that reclassifies the same four sons under their cultic title as priests.
שְׁמוֹת֙the names ofN m pl constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; plural construct שְׁמוֹת introduces a formal roll call or list.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי, 'sons of', regularly introduces a genealogical or tribal list.
אַהֲרֹ֔ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Genitive of the construct chainאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' elder brother and Israel's first high priest (Exod 28-29); here in construct, marking possession or relation.
הַכֹּהֲנִ֖יםthe priestsart + N m pl abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition, defining the sons' officeכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; in apposition to 'sons of Aaron', specifying their cultic office.
הַמְּשֻׁחִ֑יםthe anointedart + Qal pass ptc m pl abs · מָשַׁח (H4886)Attributive participle modifying 'the priests'→ Stative/passive: a completed act of consecration whose effect persistsמָשַׁח (H4886) 'to anoint'; the passive participle marks the sons as having undergone the anointing rite of ordination (Exod 29:7; Lev 8:12, 30).
אֲשֶׁרwhomrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the ordination clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative particle.
מִלֵּ֥אhe filledPiel perf 3ms · מִלֵּא (H4390)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, formal act of ordinationמִלֵּא (H4390) 'to fill'; the idiom מִלֵּא יָד ('fill the hand') is the technical term for priestly ordination (cf. Exod 28:41; Lev 8:33).
יָדָ֖םtheir handN common sg constr/3mp suff · יָד (H3027)Direct object of מִלֵּא (idiomatic)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; object of the ordination idiom מִלֵּא יָד, 'to fill the hand', i.e. to invest with priestly office.
לְכַהֵֽןto serve as priestprep לְ + Piel inf constr · כִּהֵן (H3547)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitival: names the function the 'filled hand' equips them forכִּהֵן (H3547), Piel of כהן 'to act as priest, minister'.
4

וַיָּ֣מָת נָדָ֣ב וַאֲבִיה֣וּא לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֡ה בְּֽהַקְרִבָם֩ אֵ֨שׁ זָרָ֜ה לִפְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר סִינַ֔י וּבָנִ֖ים לֹא הָי֣וּ לָהֶ֑ם וַיְכַהֵ֤ן אֶלְעָזָר֙ וְאִ֣יתָמָ֔ר עַל פְּנֵ֖י אַהֲרֹ֥ן אֲבִיהֶֽם

And Nadab and Abihu died before YHWH when they offered unauthorized fire before YHWH in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the presence of Aaron their father.

Narrative flashback explaining the priestly rosterוְ
The wayyiqtol chain (וַיָּמָת ... וַיְכַהֵן) narrates the backstory of Lev 10:1-2 in summary, explaining why only two of Aaron's four sons remain active priests; the childlessness note closes off any competing line through Nadab or Abihu, clearing the way for Eleazar's later preeminence (v. 32).
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיָּ֣מָתAnd diedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the pivotal event explaining the priestly line's actual compositionמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; Qal wayyiqtol narrates the event first reported in Lev 10:1-2, here recalled as the reason only two of Aaron's sons remain.
נָדָ֣בNadabN proper · נָדָב (H5070)Subject (first named)נָדָב (H5070) 'noble, generous'; Aaron's firstborn, struck down with Abihu for offering unauthorized fire (Lev 10:1-2).
וַאֲבִיה֣וּאand Abihuconj וְ + N proper · אֲבִיהוּא (H30)Coordinate subjectאֲבִיהוּא (H30) 'he is my father'; Aaron's second son, died alongside Nadab (Lev 10:1-2).
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N common pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (in the presence of YHWH)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of' — the offense and death occur in the sanctuary precinct itself.
יְהוָ֡הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the prepositionיְהוָה (H3068); object of לִפְנֵי, 'before YHWH' — the sanctuary precinct where Nadab and Abihu's illicit offering and death occurred.
בְּֽהַקְרִבָם֩when they offeredprep בְּ + Hiphil inf constr/3mp suff · קָרַב (H7126)Temporal infinitive clause (circumstance of the death)→ Infinitival: a temporally-bound circumstantial actקָרַב (H7126), Hiphil 'to bring near, offer'; the infinitive with בְּ gives the circumstance — 'in their offering' = 'when they offered' (cf. Lev 10:1 קָרְבוּ).
אֵ֨שׁfireN common sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Direct object of the infinitiveאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; here the illicit fire of Lev 10:1, not kindled from the altar as commanded.
זָרָ֜הunauthorizedadj f sg abs · זָר (H2114)Attributive adjective modifying אֵשׁזָר (H2114) 'strange, foreign, unauthorized'; אֵשׁ זָרָה 'unauthorized fire' — fire not commanded or sanctioned by YHWH (Lev 10:1).
לִפְנֵ֤יbeforeprep לְ + N common pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (repeated for emphasis)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of', repeated for emphasis — both the offense and the death occur in YHWH's presence.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the prepositionיְהוָה (H3068); object of לִפְנֵי, 'before YHWH' — the sanctuary precinct where Nadab and Abihu's illicit offering and death occurred.
בְּמִדְבַּ֣רin the wilderness ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phrase (construct)מִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, steppe'.
סִינַ֔יSinaiN proper · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive of the construct chainסִינַי (H5514), the mountain of the theophany and lawgiving (Exod 19 - Num 10:10); here specifying the wilderness setting of the events.
וּבָנִ֖יםand sonsconj וְ + N m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of the negated existential clauseבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; noting they had no sons doubly marks the loss — no offspring to inherit their branch of the priestly line.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating הָיוּלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
הָי֣וּthere wereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (negated existential clause)→ Perfective: a settled state of factהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; existential use, 'there were (no sons) to them'.
לָהֶ֑םto themprep לְ/3mp suffDative of possessionThe preposition לְ with 3mp suffix, לָהֶם 'to them'; dative of possession in the negated existential clause, 'they had no sons'.
וַיְכַהֵ֤ןso served as priestconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · כִּהֵן (H3547)Predicate verb, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (consequence)→ Wayyiqtol: the narrated consequence — the surviving sons step into priestly serviceכִּהֵן (H3547), Piel 'to act as priest, minister'; the same verb as v. 3's לְכַהֵן, now realized as narrated fact.
אֶלְעָזָר֙EleazarN proper · אֶלְעָזָר (H499)Subjectאֶלְעָזָר (H499) 'God has helped'; Aaron's third son, who with Ithamar takes up the priesthood after Nadab and Abihu's death.
וְאִ֣יתָמָ֔רand Ithamarconj וְ + N proper · אִיתָמָר (H385)Coordinate subjectאִיתָמָר (H385), etymology uncertain; Aaron's fourth son, who serves alongside Eleazar after Nadab and Abihu die.
עַלin the presence ofprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (idiom with פְּנֵי)עַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; עַל־פְּנֵי idiomatically means 'in the presence of, alongside'.
פְּנֵ֖יthe face ofN common pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct noun completing the idiom עַל־פְּנֵיפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; construct in the idiom עַל־פְּנֵי 'in the presence of, alongside'.
אַהֲרֹ֥ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Genitive of the construct chainאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' elder brother and Israel's first high priest (Exod 28-29); here in construct, marking possession or relation.
אֲבִיהֶֽםtheir fatherN m sg constr/3mp suff · אָב (H1)Apposition to אַהֲרֹןאָב (H1) 'father'; identifies Aaron's relation to Eleazar and Ithamar as they take up priestly duty at his side, not yet independently.
5

וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר

And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying:

Speech-formula introducing a new divine oracleוְ
The recurring messenger formula (cf. vv. 11, 14, 44) marks a fresh unit of divine speech; here it introduces the charge that the tribe of Levi be given to Aaron (vv. 6-10).
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רAnd spokeconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (speech-formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, introducing direct divine speechדִּבֶּר (H1696), Piel of דבר 'to speak'; וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל מֹשֶׁה לֵאמֹר is the standard formula introducing legal/cultic instruction throughout the Priestly source.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; subject of the recurring speech-formula that introduces each new oracle in this chapter.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward', the standard preposition marking the recipient of speech.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's mediator and lawgiver; here the addressee of YHWH's speech, per the recurring 'YHWH spoke to Moses' oracle-formula.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive introducing direct discourse (quotative frame)→ Infinitival: opens the quoted speech that followsאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the infinitive לֵאמֹר is a frozen quotative marker, 'saying', opening the divine speech reported in the following verses.
6

הַקְרֵב֙ אֶת מַטֵּ֣ה לֵוִ֔י וְֽהַעֲמַדְתָּ֣ אֹת֔וֹ לִפְנֵ֖י אַהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֑ן וְשֵׁרְת֖וּ אֹתֽוֹ

Bring near the tribe of Levi and station it before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.

Imperative command opening the oracle's contentasyndeton
The chain of imperative (הַקְרֵב) plus two weqatal forms (וְהַעֲמַדְתָּ, וְשֵׁרְתוּ) lays out the basic assignment: Levi is presented, stationed, and made to serve — the grammatical skeleton the rest of the chapter fills in with specifics.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
הַקְרֵב֙Bring nearHiphil impv 2ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb, imperative (main clause of the command)→ Volitional: a direct commandקָרַב (H7126), Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; the technical verb for presenting the Levites for cultic service.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מַטֵּ֣הthe tribe ofN m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Direct object (head of construct chain)מַטֶּה (H4294) 'staff, tribe'; a tribe as a rod/staff-unit, the same word used for a shepherd's or leader's staff.
לֵוִ֔יLeviN proper · לֵוִי (H3878)Genitive of the construct chainלֵוִי (H3878), Jacob's third son by Leah, ancestor of the priestly tribe (Gen 29:34); his tribe alone receives no territorial inheritance (18:20-24).
וְֽהַעֲמַדְתָּ֣and you shall stationconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2ms · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the imperative sequence→ Weqatal: continuation of the command, a required future actעָמַד (H5975), Hiphil 'to cause to stand, station'; formally positions the Levites in service before the priest.
אֹת֔וֹitobj marker/3ms suff · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (resuming מַטֵּה לֵוִי)
לִפְנֵ֖יbeforeprep לְ + N common pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of' — a locative idiom marking proximity to the person or place named.
אַהֲרֹ֣ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Genitive of the construct chainאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' elder brother and Israel's first high priest (Exod 28-29); here in construct, marking possession or relation.
הַכֹּהֵ֑ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition to אַהֲרֹןכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; in apposition to 'Aaron', naming his cultic office.
וְשֵׁרְת֖וּthat they may serveconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3cp · שֵׁרֵת (H8334)Predicate verb, weqatal expressing purpose/result→ Weqatal: purpose/result of the stationing — ongoing attendant serviceשֵׁרֵת (H8334), Piel 'to minister, attend, serve'; the technical term for the Levites' subordinate cultic assistance to the priests (distinct from עָבַד, general labor).
אֹתֽוֹhimobj marker/3ms suff · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (Aaron)
7

וְשָׁמְר֣וּ אֶת מִשְׁמַרְתּ֗וֹ וְאֶת מִשְׁמֶ֨רֶת֙ כָּל הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד לַעֲבֹ֖ד אֶת עֲבֹדַ֥ת הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן

And they shall keep his charge and the charge of the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, to perform the service of the tabernacle.

Weqatal continuing the command sequence, specifying the guard-dutyוְ
Introduces the chapter's two key technical terms, מִשְׁמֶרֶת (charge/guard-duty) and עֲבֹדָה (service/labor), which structure the assignments given to Gershon, Kohath, and Merari later in the chapter (vv. 25-26, 31, 36).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְשָׁמְר֣וּAnd they shall keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the command sequence→ Weqatal: the ongoing duty that follows from being stationedשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; paired with its cognate noun מִשְׁמֶרֶת it forms the chapter's key idiom for cultic guard-duty, שָׁמַר מִשְׁמֶרֶת.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מִשְׁמַרְתּ֗וֹhis chargeN f sg constr/3ms suff · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Direct object of וְשָׁמְרוּמִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) 'charge, guard-duty, obligation', from שָׁמַר; here Aaron's charge — the priestly oversight the Levites now serve under.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker
מִשְׁמֶ֨רֶת֙the charge ofN f sg constr · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Direct object (second object of וְשָׁמְרוּ)מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) repeated in construct — the Levites' duty extends from the priests' personal charge to the whole community's cultic obligation.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs הָעֵדָה)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, whole'; here 'the whole congregation'.
הָ֣עֵדָ֔הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Genitive of the construct chainעֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation, assembly', from יָעַד 'to appoint, meet'; Israel as the assembled covenant community.
לִפְנֵ֖יbeforeprep לְ + N common pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of' — a locative idiom marking proximity to the person or place named.
אֹ֣הֶלthe tent ofN m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Object of the preposition (head of construct chain)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; construct before מוֹעֵד.
מוֹעֵ֑דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive of the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time/place, meeting'; אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד 'tent of meeting', the mobile sanctuary where YHWH meets Israel.
לַעֲבֹ֖דto performprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָבַד (H5647)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitival: the purpose of the guard-duty — active serviceעָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve'; here cultic labor, complementing שָׁמַר (guard) with active service.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
עֲבֹדַ֥תthe service ofN f sg constr · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Direct object of לַעֲבֹד (cognate accusative)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service, labor, work', cognate to the verb עָבַד; the chapter's other key term (alongside מִשְׁמֶרֶת) for the Levites' function.
הַמִּשְׁכָּֽןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Genitive of the construct chainמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place, tabernacle', from שָׁכַן 'to dwell'; the portable sanctuary the Levites are charged to serve and, for Gershon and Merari, to carry.
8

וְשָׁמְר֗וּ אֶֽת כָּל כְּלֵי֙ אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד וְאֶת מִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לַעֲבֹ֖ד אֶת עֲבֹדַ֥ת הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן

And they shall keep all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and the charge of the sons of Israel, to perform the service of the tabernacle.

Weqatal continuing v. 7's command, widening its scopeוְ
Verse 8 repeats and expands v. 7 almost verbatim, adding the sacred כֵּלִים (furnishings) as an explicit object of guard-duty and specifying that the Levites' service stands in for the whole nation's obligation — a foreshadowing of the substitution logic of vv. 12, 41, 45.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְשָׁמְר֗וּAnd they shall keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the command sequence→ Weqatal: continuing obligation, now widened from the priestly charge to the sacred furnishingsשָׁמַר (H8104); repeats v. 7's verb, now governing a wider object — the sacred vessels themselves.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs כְּלֵי)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct before כְּלֵי, 'all the vessels/furnishings' — comprehensively including every implement of the tent of meeting.
כְּלֵי֙the furnishings ofN m pl constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Direct object (head of construct chain)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement, furnishing'; the tent's sacred equipment, guarded by the Levites though only Kohath may touch the holiest items directly (4:15).
אֹ֣הֶלthe tent ofN m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive of the construct chainאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; construct before מוֹעֵד in אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, 'tent of meeting', the tabernacle proper.
מוֹעֵ֔דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive of the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time, meeting'; construct in אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד 'tent of meeting', the Priestly designation for the tabernacle as the site of appointed divine-human meeting.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker
מִשְׁמֶ֖רֶתthe charge ofN f sg constr · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Direct object (second object of וְשָׁמְרוּ)מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) again, now 'the charge of the sons of Israel' — the Levites guard on behalf of, and instead of, the wider nation (cf. vv. 9, 12).
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי, 'sons of', regularly introduces a genealogical or tribal list.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people, named for Jacob (Gen 32:29).
לַעֲבֹ֖דto performprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָבַד (H5647)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitival: purpose of the guard-dutyעָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve'; infinitive of purpose, naming the goal of the Levites' guard-duty — cultic labor on Israel's behalf.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
עֲבֹדַ֥תthe service ofN f sg constr · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Direct object of לַעֲבֹד (cognate accusative)עֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service, labor', from עָבַד 'to serve'; cognate accusative reinforcing לַעֲבֹד, the specific cultic labor the Levites perform.
הַמִּשְׁכָּֽןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Genitive of the construct chainמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place, tabernacle', from שָׁכַן 'to dwell'; the portable sanctuary structure each Levitical clan is assigned to camp near and to serve.
9

וְנָתַתָּה֙ אֶת הַלְוִיִּ֔ם לְאַהֲרֹ֖ן וּלְבָנָ֑יו נְתוּנִ֨ם נְתוּנִ֥ם הֵ֨מָּה֙ ל֔וֹ מֵאֵ֖ת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons; they are wholly given to him from among the sons of Israel.

Weqatal formalizing the transfer already commanded (vv. 6-8)וְ
The doubled passive participle נְתוּנִם נְתוּנִם ('given, given') is the chapter's most emphatic construction, underlining that the gift of the Levites is total and irrevocable; it anticipates the substitution logic developed in vv. 12, 41, 45.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְנָתַתָּה֙And you shall giveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the command sequence→ Weqatal: the formal legal act of transferנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the technical verb of this transaction — Levites transferred from Israel's ownership to Aaron's service.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַלְוִיִּ֔םthe Levitesart + N gentilic m pl abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Direct object of וְנָתַתָּהלֵוִי (H3881), gentilic 'Levite'; the whole tribe as a body given over to priestly service.
לְאַהֲרֹ֖ןto Aaronprep לְ + N proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Indirect object (recipient)אַהֲרֹן (H175), Israel's first high priest; here as indirect object/recipient — of the Levites given to serve him, or of the redemption silver collected from the firstborn.
וּלְבָנָ֑יוand to his sonsconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr/3ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate indirect objectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; with 3ms suffix and לְ, 'to his sons' — coordinate recipient alongside Aaron of the gift of the Levites.
נְתוּנִ֨םwholly givenQal pass ptc m pl abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (emphatic doubling, first)→ Stative/passive: an emphatic, total, and permanent state of having-been-givenנָתוּן (H5414), Qal passive participle of נָתַן; doubled (נְתוּנִם נְתוּנִם) for emphasis — 'given, given' = 'wholly/utterly given', the strongest statement of the Levites' transferred status.
נְתוּנִ֥םgivenQal pass ptc m pl abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (emphatic doubling, second)→ Stative/passive: repetition intensifying the first participleThe doubling of נְתוּנִם is a rare emphatic device, underscoring total, unconditional transfer (cf. LXX δόμα δεδομένοι).
הֵ֨מָּה֙theyindep pron 3mp · הֵמָּה (H1992)Resumptive subject pronoun (emphatic)הֵמָּה (H1992), emphatic independent 3mp pronoun, resuming 'the Levites' as subject of the participial clause.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ/3ms suffIndirect object (Aaron)The preposition לְ with 3ms suffix, לוֹ 'to him'; indirect object referring to Aaron, the recipient of the Levites as a gift.
מֵאֵ֖תfrom amongprep מִן + prep אֵת · (H854)Source prepositional phraseמֵאֵת (מִן + אֵת, H854), compound preposition 'from with, from among' — marks the Levites' origin within the larger nation.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי, 'sons of', regularly introduces a genealogical or tribal list.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation descended from Jacob; here in construct after 'sons of', the standard collective designation for the whole people.
10

וְאֶת אַהֲרֹ֤ן וְאֶת בָּנָיו֙ תִּפְקֹ֔ד וְשָׁמְר֖וּ אֶת כְּהֻנָּתָ֑ם וְהַזָּ֥ר הַקָּרֵ֖ב יוּמָֽת

But Aaron and his sons you shall appoint, and they shall keep their priesthood; and the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.

Contrastive continuation — Aaron's own line versus the given Levitesוְ
The fronted double object (וְאֶת אַהֲרֹן וְאֶת בָּנָיו) marks a deliberate contrast with the preceding gift of the Levites: Aaron's sons hold an irreducible priestly office that the Levites, however 'given,' may not assume — trespass carries the death penalty, a sanction repeated at v. 38.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאֶתAnd [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (Aaron, fronted for contrast with the Levites)The object is fronted before the verb תִּפְקֹד for contrastive emphasis: unlike the Levites just given away, Aaron and his sons retain an office of their own, directly appointed.
אַהֲרֹ֤ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Direct object (fronted)אַהֲרֹן (H175); fronted direct object of תִּפְקֹד, emphasizing that Aaron and his sons (not the Levites) are the ones appointed to the priesthood itself.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker
בָּנָיו֙his sonsN m pl constr/3ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate direct object (fronted)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; with 3ms suffix, coordinate direct object alongside Aaron, both fronted for emphasis.
תִּפְקֹ֔דyou shall appointQal impf 2ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Imperfective: a mandated, ongoing act of oversight/appointmentפָּקַד (H6485) 'to number, appoint, oversee'; the chapter's other keyword (with שָׁמַר and עָבַד) — the census-taking verb, here used of Moses' oversight of Aaron and sons rather than a literal count.
וְשָׁמְר֖וּand they shall keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the command sequence→ Weqatal: the resulting, ongoing dutyשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard'; weqatal continuing the command — Aaron and his sons alone are to keep the priesthood, on pain of death for encroachment (cf. v. 38).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כְּהֻנָּתָ֑םtheir priesthoodN f sg constr/3mp suff · כְּהֻנָּה (H3550)Direct object of וְשָׁמְרוּכְּהֻנָּה (H3550) 'priesthood', from כֹּהֵן; the office itself as something to be guarded — priestly service admits no substitute or intrusion.
וְהַזָּ֥רand the outsiderconj וְ + art + adj m sg abs · זָר (H2114)Subject of the passive verbal clauseזָר (H2114) 'strange, unauthorized, outsider'; here anyone — Israelite or Levite — who is not of Aaron's priestly line and encroaches on priestly function.
הַקָּרֵ֖בwho comes nearart + Qal act ptc m sg abs · קָרַב (H7126)Attributive participle modifying הַזָּר→ Participial: a characterizing, potential act — anyone who approachesקָרַב (H7126) 'to draw near, approach'; the same root used positively of the Levites' own 'bringing near' service (v. 6), here negatively of unauthorized approach to sancta.
יוּמָֽתshall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, passive)→ Imperfective/passive: a standing legal sanctionמוּת (H4191), Hophal (causative passive) 'to be put to death'; the standing sanction guarding the boundary between Levitical guard-duty and priestly prerogative (repeated verbatim in v. 38).
11

וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר

And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying:

Speech-formula introducing a new divine oracleוְ
A fresh instance of the messenger formula introduces the oracle of vv. 12-13, which grounds the whole Levite-transaction theologically in the Exodus night when YHWH struck Egypt's firstborn and claimed Israel's firstborn as his own.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רAnd spokeconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (speech-formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, introducing direct divine speechדִּבֶּר (H1696), Piel of דבר 'to speak'; the recurring messenger formula introducing a new oracle (cf. vv. 5, 14, 44).
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; subject of the recurring speech-formula that introduces each new oracle in this chapter.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addressee
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's mediator and lawgiver; here the addressee of YHWH's speech, per the recurring 'YHWH spoke to Moses' oracle-formula.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive introducing direct discourse (quotative frame)→ Infinitival: opens the quoted speech that followsאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the infinitive לֵאמֹר is a frozen quotative marker opening the divine speech that follows.
12

וַאֲנִ֞י הִנֵּ֧ה לָקַ֣חְתִּי אֶת הַלְוִיִּ֗ם מִתּוֹךְ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל תַּ֧חַת כָּל בְּכ֛וֹר פֶּ֥טֶר רֶ֖חֶם מִבְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְהָ֥יוּ לִ֖י הַלְוִיִּֽם

And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the sons of Israel instead of every firstborn that opens the womb among the sons of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine.

Divine self-declaration grounding the whole transactionוְ
The emphatic וַאֲנִי הִנֵּה ('and I, behold') and performative perfect לָקַחְתִּי mark this as YHWH's own first-person legal declaration, not a further command to Moses; תַּחַת ('instead of') introduces the chapter's substitution logic, developed further in vv. 13, 41, 45-51.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַאֲנִ֞יAnd Iconj וְ + indep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic resumptive subject (fronted before הִנֵּה)אֲנִי (H589), independent 1cs pronoun; fronted for emphasis — YHWH himself, not Moses, is the one who has taken the Levites.
הִנֵּ֧הbeholdinterjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing the perfect of vivid immediacyהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; marks the following perfect as a vivid, newly-effective declaration — 'here, I have (just) taken'.
לָקַ֣חְתִּיI have takenQal perf 1cs · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, performative)→ Perfective of vivid present: a declarative act effective at the moment of speakingלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here a performative perfect — YHWH's declaration itself effects the Levites' new status, echoed in vv. 41, 45.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַלְוִיִּ֗םthe Levitesart + N gentilic m pl abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Direct object of לָקַחְתִּילֵוִי (H3881), gentilic 'Levite(s)'; direct object of לָקַחְתִּי, 'I have taken' — YHWH's performative claim on the tribe.
מִתּוֹךְ֙from the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Source prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; מִתּוֹךְ 'from the midst of' — the Levites are drawn out from within the larger nation.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי, 'sons of', regularly introduces a genealogical or tribal list.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation descended from Jacob; here in construct after 'sons of', the standard collective designation for the whole people.
תַּ֧חַתinstead ofprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Substitutionary prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, in place of'; the chapter's key substitution-preposition — the Levites stand in the structural place of the firstborn (repeated vv. 41, 45, 46).
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs בְּכוֹר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before a singular noun yields distributive force, 'every one of' — here governing the firstborn census.
בְּכ֛וֹרfirstbornN m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Genitive of the construct chain (head of a further construct pair)בְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; the theological warrant is the tenth plague and the consecration of Exod 13:2, 12-15 — every Israelite firstborn belongs to YHWH.
פֶּ֥טֶרthat which opensN m sg constr · פֶּטֶר (H6363)Apposition to בְּכוֹר, specifying (head of construct chain)פֶּטֶר (H6363) 'that which opens/bursts forth', from פָּטַר; פֶּטֶר רֶחֶם 'opener of the womb' is the precise legal definition of firstborn status — literal first birth, not mere primogeniture by inheritance.
רֶ֖חֶםthe wombN m sg abs · רֶחֶם (H7358)Genitive of the construct chainרֶחֶם (H7358) 'womb'.
מִבְּנֵ֣יfrom the sons ofprep מִן + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Source prepositional phraseבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי in the source phrase 'from among the sons of Israel', marking the group the Levites are taken out of.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation descended from Jacob; here in construct after 'sons of', the standard collective designation for the whole people.
וְהָ֥יוּand they shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, weqatal stating the resulting status→ Weqatal: the settled legal consequenceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; weqatal stating the resulting legal status — the Levites becoming YHWH's own in place of the firstborn.
לִ֖יmineprep לְ/1cs suffPredicate of possessionThe preposition לְ with 1cs suffix, לִי 'to me, mine'; expresses YHWH's possessive claim — 'they shall be mine' — over the Levites (and the firstborn) as a class.
הַלְוִיִּֽםthe Levitesart + N gentilic m pl abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Subject of וְהָיוּThe verse closes as it began, with 'the Levites' — the possessive frame (לִי ... הַלְוִיִּם, 'mine ... the Levites') brackets the whole declaration of ownership.
13

כִּ֣י לִי֮ כָּל בְּכוֹר֒ בְּיוֹם֩ הַכֹּתִ֨י כָל בְּכ֜וֹר בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֗יִם הִקְדַּ֨שְׁתִּי לִ֤י כָל בְּכוֹר֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מֵאָדָ֖ם עַד בְּהֵמָ֑ה לִ֥י יִהְי֖וּ אֲנִ֥י יְהוָֽה

For every firstborn is mine; on the day I struck every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to myself every firstborn in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be mine — I am YHWH.

Causal ground, recalling the Exodus warrant for YHWH's claimכִּי
The verse retells Exod 13:2 in miniature, tracing YHWH's ownership of Israel's firstborn back to the night he struck Egypt's; the closing self-identification formula אֲנִי יְהוָה seals the claim with covenant authority and prepares for the actual substitution enacted in vv. 40-51.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
כִּ֣יForconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground/warrantכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; grounds v. 12's declaration in the historical claim established at the Exodus.
לִי֮mineprep לְ/1cs suffPredicate of possession (fronted)The preposition לְ with 1cs suffix, לִי 'to me, mine'; fronted for emphasis — 'mine is every firstborn', asserting YHWH's prior claim.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs בְּכוֹר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before a singular noun yields distributive force, 'every one of' — here governing the firstborn census.
בְּכוֹר֒firstbornN m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Subject of the verbless clauseבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; subject of the verbless possession clause, 'every firstborn is mine'.
בְּיוֹם֩on the dayprep בְּ + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; temporal phrase dating YHWH's claim to the night of the tenth plague (Exod 12:29; 13:2).
הַכֹּתִ֨יI struckHiphil inf constr/1cs suff · נָכָה (H5221)Temporal infinitive clause (with suffixed subject)→ Infinitival: dates the consecration to the specific historical act of the tenth plagueנָכָה (H5221), Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; the infinitive names the tenth plague (Exod 12:29) as the ground of YHWH's claim on the firstborn.
כָלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs בְּכוֹר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before a singular noun yields distributive force, 'every one of' — here governing the firstborn census.
בְּכ֜וֹרfirstbornN m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Direct object of הַכֹּתִיבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; direct object of הַכֹּתִי, 'my striking', recalling the death of Egypt's firstborn (Exod 12:29).
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N common sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; locates the striking of the firstborn specifically in Egypt.
מִצְרַ֗יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of the construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt, the land of bondage and the site of the tenth plague that grounds the firstborn's consecration (Exod 12:29; 13:2).
הִקְדַּ֨שְׁתִּיI consecratedHiphil perf 1cs · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Predicate verb (main clause, performative recollection)→ Perfective: a completed, foundational act of consecrationקָדַשׁ (H6942), Hiphil 'to consecrate, set apart as holy'; recalls Exod 13:2 קַדֶּשׁ־לִי כָל־בְּכוֹר, the original sanctification of the firstborn.
לִ֤יto myselfprep לְ/1cs suffDative complement of הִקְדַּשְׁתִּיThe preposition לְ with 1cs suffix, לִי 'to myself'; dative complement of הִקְדַּשְׁתִּי 'I consecrated', marking Israel's firstborn as set apart for YHWH.
כָלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs בְּכוֹר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before a singular noun yields distributive force, 'every one of' — here governing the firstborn census.
בְּכוֹר֙firstbornN m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Direct object of הִקְדַּשְׁתִּיבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; direct object of הִקְדַּשְׁתִּי, the class of Israelite firstborn consecrated at the Exodus.
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לin Israelprep בְּ + N proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Locative prepositional phraseיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); locates the consecrated firstborn specifically among the covenant people, distinct from those struck down in Egypt.
מֵאָדָ֖םfrom manprep מִן + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Merism, first member (with עַד בְּהֵמָה)אָדָם (H120) 'man, humankind'; מֵאָדָם עַד בְּהֵמָה 'from man to beast' is a merism for totality, echoing the scope of the tenth plague itself (Exod 12:29).
עַדtoprep · עַד (H5704)Merism, correlative prepositionעַד (H5704) 'as far as, until'; pairs with מִן to form the totalizing merism.
בְּהֵמָ֑הbeastN f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Merism, second memberבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'animal, beast, livestock'; second member of the merism — even firstborn livestock fall under the claim (cf. vv. 41, 45).
לִ֥יmineprep לְ/1cs suffPredicate of possession (resumptive, fronted)The preposition לְ with 1cs suffix, לִי 'to me, mine'; resumes and closes the claim of vv. 12-13, fronted for emphasis a second time.
יִהְי֖וּthey shall beQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Imperfective: a standing, ongoing claimהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; imperfect stating a standing, ongoing claim — 'they shall be mine', sealed by the self-identification formula אֲנִי יְהוָה.
אֲנִ֥יI amindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the closing self-identification formulaאֲנִי (H589), 1cs independent pronoun; the emphatic self-identification formula אֲנִי יְהוָה, 'I am YHWH', seals the preceding legal claim with divine authority.
יְהוָֽהYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative, self-identification formulaאֲנִי יְהוָה 'I am YHWH' is the signature self-identification formula that seals authoritative pronouncements throughout the Priestly legal corpus (cf. Lev 18-26 passim).
14

וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר יְהוָה֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֔ה בְּמִדְבַּ֥ר סִינַ֖י לֵאמֹֽר

And YHWH spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying:

Speech-formula opening the census sectionוְ
A new messenger formula, this time specifying the location, introduces the command to number the Levites by clan and family — the operational heart of the chapter (vv. 15-39).
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֤רAnd spokeconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (speech-formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, introducing a new divine oracleדִּבֶּר (H1696), Piel of דבר 'to speak'; the messenger formula recurs (cf. vv. 5, 11, 44), here with the location noted explicitly.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; subject of the recurring speech-formula that introduces each new oracle in this chapter.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addressee
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's mediator and lawgiver; here the addressee of YHWH's speech, per the recurring 'YHWH spoke to Moses' oracle-formula.
בְּמִדְבַּ֥רin the wilderness ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phrase (construct)מִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, steppe'; locates the census command in the Sinai wilderness, matching v. 1's setting.
סִינַ֖יSinaiN proper · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive of the construct chainסִינַי (H5514), the mountain of the theophany and lawgiving (Exod 19 - Num 10:10); here specifying the wilderness setting of the events.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive introducing direct discourse (quotative frame)→ Infinitival: opens the quoted speech that followsאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; opens the census instructions of vv. 15-16.
15

פְּקֹד֙ אֶת בְּנֵ֣י לֵוִ֔י לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָ֖ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם כָּל זָכָ֛ר מִבֶּן חֹ֥דֶשׁ וָמַ֖עְלָה תִּפְקְדֵֽם

Number the sons of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families; every male from a month old and upward you shall number them.

Imperative opening a new command unit (the census proper)asyndeton
The verb פָּקַד frames the verse as an inclusio (פְּקֹד ... תִּפְקְדֵם); the age threshold of one month (rather than the usual twenty years, cf. 1:3) signals that this is not a military muster but a total consecration-count, matched head-for-head against Israel's infant firstborn in vv. 40-43.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
פְּקֹד֙NumberQal impv 2ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb, imperative (main clause of the command)→ Volitional: a direct command opening the census instructionsפָּקַד (H6485) 'to number, muster, appoint'; the chapter's operative census verb, governing the count of each Levitical clan (vv. 15-39).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object (head of construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct, direct object introducing the census-count clause, 'number the sons of Levi'.
לֵוִ֔יLeviN proper · לֵוִי (H3878)Genitive of the construct chainלֵוִי (H3878), Jacob's third son by Leah (Gen 29:34), ancestor of the priestly tribe set apart for tabernacle service.
לְבֵ֥יתby the house ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Distributive prepositional phraseבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; בֵּית אָבוֹת 'fathers' house/houses' is the standard census unit — extended-family lineage, the same organizing principle used for the twelve tribes (ch. 1).
אֲבֹתָ֖םtheir fathersN m pl constr/3mp suff · אָב (H1)Genitive of the construct chainאָב (H1) 'father'; construct plural with suffix, בֵּית אֲבֹתָם 'house of their fathers', the patrilineal unit by which the Levites are counted.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑םby their familiesprep לְ + N f pl constr/3mp suff · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Distributive prepositional phraseמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan, family'; the intermediate census unit — the count below organizes by the three Levitical מִשְׁפָּחוֹת (Gershon, Kohath, Merari).
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs זָכָר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before זָכָר, 'every male' — the recurring census criterion of this chapter.
זָכָ֛רmaleadj m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Direct object of תִּפְקְדֵםזָכָר (H2145) 'male'; distinguishes the Levite census from the general census of ch. 1, which counted only fighting-age men — here every male infant and up is counted, since the substitution is head-for-head against Israel's firstborn (v. 40).
מִבֶּןfrom a monthprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Temporal prepositional phrase (age formula)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; idiomatic in an age-expression, מִבֶּן חֹדֶשׁ 'from the son of a month' = 'from one month old' — unusually young, since ordinary tribal musters begin at twenty (1:3).
חֹ֥דֶשׁoldN m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive completing the age formulaחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon'.
וָמַ֖עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv/directional ה · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial extension of the age formula (open-ended)מַעְלָה (H4605) 'upward', with directional הּ; וָמַעְלָה 'and upward' makes the census open-ended at the top — every male Levite from one month old, without upper limit.
תִּפְקְדֵֽםyou shall number themQal impf 2ms/3mp suff · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb (main clause, resumptive)→ Imperfective: the mandated act of counting, resuming and closing the imperative פְּקֹדפָּקַד (H6485) with 3mp suffix, resuming the imperative that opened the verse — an inclusio framing the whole census command.
16

וַיִּפְקֹ֥ד אֹתָ֛ם מֹשֶׁ֖ה עַל פִּ֣י יְהוָ֑ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר צֻוָּֽה

So Moses numbered them according to the word of YHWH, as he was commanded.

Wayyiqtol compliance report closing the command unitוְ
A brief notice of exact obedience (עַל־פִּי יְהוָה ... כַּאֲשֶׁר צֻוָּה) closes the introductory unit before the clan-by-clan census figures begin at v. 17; the same obedience-formula recurs to close the chapter at v. 51.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּפְקֹ֥דSo he numberedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (compliance report)→ Wayyiqtol: the narrated execution of the command just givenפָּקַד (H6485); the narrative confirms Moses' obedience — command (v. 15) followed immediately by compliance.
אֹתָ֛םthemobj marker/3mp suff · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (the Levites)
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיִּפְקֹדמֹשֶׁה (H4872); subject of פָּקַד 'to number, muster', executing YHWH's census command.
עַלaccording toprep · עַל (H5921)Idiomatic prepositional phrase of standard/authorityעַל (H5921) 'upon'; עַל־פִּי idiomatically means 'according to the mouth of, at the command of' — Moses acts under direct verbal authority.
פִּ֣יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of the preposition (head of the idiom עַל־פִּי)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; עַל־פִּי יְהוָה 'at the mouth/command of YHWH', a formula of direct divine authorization repeated at vv. 39, 51.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive of the construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); here in a construct/genitive relation (e.g. 'the mouth of YHWH'), stressing that Moses' actions follow the divine word exactly.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֖רasprep כְּ + rel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the manner clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'just as, according to as'; introduces the standard of compliance.
צֻוָּֽהhe was commandedPual perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the comparative clause (passive)→ Perfective/passive: the prior, authoritative command now fulfilledצִוָּה (H6680), Pual (passive) 'to be commanded'; confirms exact conformity to YHWH's instruction, a recurring obedience-formula in the Priestly narrative (cf. v. 51).
17

וַיִּֽהְיוּ אֵ֥לֶּה בְנֵֽי לֵוִ֖י בִּשְׁמֹתָ֑ם גֵּרְשׁ֕וֹן וּקְהָ֖ת וּמְרָרִֽי

And these were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Narrative transition opening the genealogical/census record properוְ
The narrator's voice resumes (matching Gen 46:11's list) to name the three Levitical clans in birth order — Gershon, Kohath, Merari — the organizing skeleton for the rest of the chapter's census and camp assignments.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּֽהְיוּAnd wereconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative transition from command to genealogical recordהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the wayyiqtol shifts registers from divine command (vv. 14-16) to the narrator's own genealogical listing.
אֵ֥לֶּהthesedem pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Predicate nominative (subject complement)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; predicate complement identifying the sons of Levi by name, resuming the census formula with the actual clan-list.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיִּהְיוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct, subject of the naming clause introducing Levi's three sons.
לֵוִ֖יLeviN proper · לֵוִי (H3878)Genitive of the construct chainלֵוִי (H3878), Jacob's third son by Leah (Gen 29:34), ancestor of the priestly tribe set apart for tabernacle service.
בִּשְׁמֹתָ֑םby their namesprep בְּ + N m pl constr/3mp suff · שֵׁם (H8034)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; plural construct with suffix, adverbially specifying that the sons are listed 'by their names'.
גֵּרְשׁ֕וֹןGershonN proper · גֵּרְשׁוֹן (H1648)Subject in apposition (first clan)גֵּרְשׁוֹן (H1648), Levi's eldest son (Gen 46:11); his descendants receive the tabernacle's coverings and curtains (vv. 21-26) and camp west (v. 23).
וּקְהָ֖תand Kohathconj וְ + N proper · קְהָת (H6955)Coordinate subject in appositionקְהָת (H6955), Levi's second son; his line — including Moses, Aaron, and Amram — carries the holiest furnishings and camps south (vv. 27-32).
וּמְרָרִֽיand Merariconj וְ + N proper · מְרָרִי (H4847)Coordinate subject in appositionמְרָרִי (H4847), Levi's third son; his descendants carry the tabernacle's heavy frame-structure and camp north (vv. 33-37).
18

וְאֵ֛לֶּה שְׁמ֥וֹת בְּֽנֵי גֵרְשׁ֖וֹן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם לִבְנִ֖י וְשִׁמְעִֽי

And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.

Sub-heading opening the Gershonite genealogyוְ
The chapter now works through each of the three clans in turn (Gershon vv. 18, 21-26; Kohath vv. 19, 27-32; Merari vv. 20, 33-37); this verse names Gershon's two sub-clans before family totals and duties are given.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְאֵ֛לֶּהAnd theseconj וְ + dem pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the verbless clause (heading formula)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; opens a new heading, narrowing from the three sons of Levi (v. 17) to Gershon's own sub-clans.
שְׁמ֥וֹתthe names ofN m pl constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; plural construct שְׁמוֹת introduces a formal roll call or list.
בְּֽנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי, 'sons of', regularly introduces a genealogical or tribal list.
גֵרְשׁ֖וֹןGershonN proper · גֵּרְשׁוֹן (H1648)Genitive of the construct chainגֵּרְשׁוֹן (H1648), from גרש 'to drive out, expel', Levi's firstborn son; his clans camp west of the tabernacle and tend its textiles — curtains, coverings, and screens.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑םby their familiesprep לְ + N f pl constr/3mp suff · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phrase (distributive)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; the sub-tribal unit by which the Levites, like all Israel, are organized and counted.
לִבְנִ֖יLibniN proper · לִבְנִי (H3845)Subject in apposition (first sub-clan)לִבְנִי (H3845), Gershon's first son, founder of one of the two Gershonite sub-clans (cf. Exod 6:17).
וְשִׁמְעִֽיand Shimeiconj וְ + N proper · שִׁמְעִי (H8096)Coordinate subject in appositionשִׁמְעִי (H8096), Gershon's second son, founder of the other Gershonite sub-clan (Exod 6:17).
19

וּבְנֵ֥י קְהָ֖ת לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם עַמְרָ֣ם וְיִצְהָ֔ר חֶבְר֖וֹן וְעֻזִּיאֵֽל

And the sons of Kohath by their families: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

Sub-heading opening the Kohathite genealogyוְ
Kohath's four sons include Amram, father of Moses and Aaron — the priestly line proper — making the Kohathite clan structurally central even though Gershon, as firstborn, is named and treated first.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וּבְנֵ֥יAnd the sons ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of the verbless clauseבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי opens the clan-list for this branch of Levi's line.
קְהָ֖תKohathN proper · קְהָת (H6955)Genitive of the construct chainקְהָת (H6955), Levi's second son, ancestor of the Kohathite clans; their charge is the sanctuary's holiest furnishings — ark, table, lampstand, altars, and vessels.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑םby their familiesprep לְ + N f pl constr/3mp suff · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phrase (distributive)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; the sub-tribal unit by which the Levites, like all Israel, are organized and counted.
עַמְרָ֣םAmramN proper · עַמְרָם (H6019)Subject in apposition (first sub-clan)עַמְרָם (H6019) 'exalted people'; Kohath's firstborn and the father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam (Exod 6:20) — the Kohathite line from which the priesthood itself descends.
וְיִצְהָ֔רand Izharconj וְ + N proper · יִצְהָר (H3324)Coordinate subject in appositionיִצְהָר (H3324) 'oil, shining'; Kohath's second son, father of Korah (Exod 6:21), whose descendants later challenge Aaronic exclusivity (ch. 16).
חֶבְר֖וֹןHebronN proper · חֶבְרוֹן (H2275)Coordinate subject in appositionחֶבְרוֹן (H2275), Kohath's third son (not to be confused with the city of the same name).
וְעֻזִּיאֵֽלand Uzzielconj וְ + N proper · עֻזִּיאֵל (H5816)Coordinate subject in appositionעֻזִּיאֵל (H5816) 'my strength is God'; Kohath's fourth son, whose son Elzaphan is named chief of the Kohathite clans (v. 30) and who is himself Aaron's uncle (Exod 6:18, 22).
20

וּבְנֵ֧י מְרָרִ֛י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם מַחְלִ֣י וּמוּשִׁ֑י אֵ֥לֶּה הֵ֛ם מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הַלֵּוִ֖י לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽם

And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites by their fathers' houses.

Sub-heading closing the three-clan genealogy with a summaryוְ
The summarizing formula אֵלֶּה הֵם מִשְׁפְּחֹת הַלֵּוִי closes the genealogical unit begun at v. 17, echoing the בֵּית אָבוֹת language of v. 15 and setting up the clan-by-clan census, assignment, and camp details that follow (vv. 21-39).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וּבְנֵ֧יAnd the sons ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of the verbless clauseבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי opens the clan-list for this branch of Levi's line.
מְרָרִ֛יMerariN proper · מְרָרִי (H4847)Genitive of the construct chainמְרָרִי (H4847) 'bitter'; Levi's third son and ancestor of the Merarite clans, assigned the tabernacle's heavy structural frame-work — frames, bars, pillars, and sockets.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖םby their familiesprep לְ + N f pl constr/3mp suff · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phrase (distributive)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; the sub-tribal unit by which the Levites, like all Israel, are organized and counted.
מַחְלִ֣יMahliN proper · מַחְלִי (H4249)Subject in apposition (first sub-clan)מַחְלִי (H4249), Merari's first son, founder of one of the two Merarite sub-clans (Exod 6:19).
וּמוּשִׁ֑יand Mushiconj וְ + N proper · מוּשִׁי (H4187)Coordinate subject in appositionמוּשִׁי (H4187), Merari's second son, founder of the other Merarite sub-clan (Exod 6:19).
אֵ֥לֶּהthesedem pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the summarizing verbless clauseאֵלֶּה (H428) here closes the three-clan genealogy begun at v. 17 with a summarizing formula.
הֵ֛םthey areindep pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Predicate/copula of the verbless clauseהֵם (H1992), 3mp independent pronoun; copula in the verbless clause summarizing Merari's sub-clans.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥תthe families ofN f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; the sub-tribal unit summarizing a clan-list, 'the families of...'.
הַלֵּוִ֖יthe Leviteart + N gentilic m sg abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Genitive of the construct chain (collective singular)לֵוִי (H3881) here in the collective singular with the article, 'the Levite(s)' as a whole class, summing the three clans just listed.
לְבֵ֥יתby the house ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial prepositional phraseבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; adverbial phrase, 'by the house of their fathers', the patrilineal organizing principle for the census.
אֲבֹתָֽםtheir fathersN m pl constr/3mp suff · אָב (H1)Genitive of the construct chainThe verse closes the genealogical unit (vv. 17-20) with the same בֵּית אָבוֹת formula used to open the census command in v. 15, forming a literary frame.
21

לְגֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹן מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙ הַלִּבְנִ֔י וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַשִּׁמְעִ֑י אֵ֣לֶּה הֵ֔ם מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽי

To Gershon belong the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimeites; these are the families of the Gershonites.

Detailed treatment of Gershon's sub-clans beginsasyndeton
Having named Gershon's two sons in v. 18, the text shifts to the gentilic clan-names (Libnite, Shimeite, Gershonite) used for census and assignment purposes through v. 26 — the same pattern repeats for Kohath (v. 27) and Merari (v. 33).
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
לְגֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹןTo Gershonprep לְ + N proper · גֵּרְשׁוֹן (H1648)Dative of possession (fronted topic)Gershon's name is fronted as the topic — 'as for Gershon, [his are]...' — introducing the detailed treatment of his two sub-clans.
מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙the family ofN f sg constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Subject of the implied verbless clause (head of construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; heads the first named Gershonite sub-clan.
הַלִּבְנִ֔יthe Libniteart + N gentilic m sg abs · לִבְנִי (H3846)Genitive of the construct chainלִבְנִי (H3846), gentilic of Libni; the gentilic form names the clan as a body descended from Libni (cf. v. 18).
וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַתand the family ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Coordinate subject (head of second construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; heads the second named Gershonite sub-clan, coordinate with the first.
הַשִּׁמְעִ֑יthe Shimeiteart + N gentilic m sg abs · שִׁמְעִי (H8097)Genitive of the construct chainשִׁמְעִי (H8097), gentilic of Shimei.
אֵ֣לֶּהthesedem pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the summarizing verbless clauseאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; closes a clan-list with a summarizing demonstrative, 'these are the families of...'.
הֵ֔םthey areindep pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Predicate/copulaהֵם (H1992), 3mp independent pronoun functioning as copula in a verbless identification clause, 'they are...'.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖תthe families ofN f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; the sub-tribal unit summarizing a clan-list, 'the families of...'.
הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽיthe Gershoniteart + N gentilic m sg abs · גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (H1649)Genitive of the construct chain (collective singular)גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (H1649), gentilic of Gershon, distinct in form from the personal name גֵּרְשׁוֹן — the clan-name used through the rest of the chapter (vv. 23-25).
22

פְּקֻדֵיהֶם֙ בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר כָּל זָכָ֔ר מִבֶּן חֹ֖דֶשׁ וָמָ֑עְלָה פְּקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔ם שִׁבְעַ֥ת אֲלָפִ֖ים וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת

Their counted ones, in the number of every male from a month old and upward — their counted ones were seven thousand five hundred.

Census total for the Gershonite clanasyndeton
The double resumption of פְּקֻדֵיהֶם (once as topic, once repeated before the figure) is typical census-report style; 7,500 plus Kohath's 8,600 (v. 28) and Merari's 6,200 (v. 34) sum to 22,300 — a figure the chapter's own summary at v. 39 rounds to 22,000, a well-known arithmetic crux (see text_note).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
פְּקֻדֵיהֶם֙Their counted onesQal pass ptc m pl constr/3mp suff · פָּקַד (H6485)Subject of the verbless clause (census total, resumed)→ Stative/passive: those who have been counted, as a fixed totalפָּקוּד (H6485), Qal passive participle of פָּקַד used substantively, 'the counted/mustered ones' — the technical term for a census total throughout Numbers.
בְּמִסְפַּ֣רin the number ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִסְפָּר (H4557)Adverbial prepositional phrase specifying scopeמִסְפָּר (H4557) 'number, count'.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs זָכָר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before זָכָר, 'every male' — the recurring census criterion of this chapter.
זָכָ֔רmaleadj m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Genitive of the construct chainזָכָר (H2145) 'male'; specifies that only males are counted, consistent with the tribal/military-style reckoning of Numbers.
מִבֶּןfrom a monthprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Temporal prepositional phrase (age formula)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; part of the fixed age-idiom מִבֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ, literally 'from a son of a month' = 'from a month old', the minimum age set for this census.
חֹ֖דֶשׁoldN m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive completing the age formulaחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'new moon, month'; completes the age-idiom בֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ וָמַעְלָה, 'a month old and up', the threshold for counting males.
וָמָ֑עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv/directional ה · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial extension of the age formula (open-ended)
פְּקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔םtheir counted onesQal pass ptc m pl constr/3mp suff · פָּקַד (H6485)Subject of the verbless clause (resumed for the numeral)→ Stative/passive: repetition resuming the subject before stating the actual figureThe phrase repeats (cf. word 1) to resume the subject immediately before the number itself, a common census-report style in this chapter (cf. vv. 28, 34, 39, 43).
שִׁבְעַ֥תsevennumeral m sg constr · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Numeral (construct, governs אֲלָפִים)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'.
אֲלָפִ֖יםthousandnumeral common pl abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Genitive of the construct chainאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'.
וַחֲמֵ֥שׁand fiveconj וְ + numeral f sg abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Coordinate numeralחָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; here in חֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת 'five hundred', completing the Gershonite total of 7,500 (v. 22).
מֵאֽוֹתhundrednumeral common pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Genitive completing the numeralמֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; the Gershonite total, 7,500 — falling between Kohath's 8,600 (v. 28) and Merari's 6,200 (v. 34).
23

מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י אַחֲרֵ֧י הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ן יַחֲנ֖וּ יָֽמָּה

The families of the Gershonites shall camp behind the tabernacle, westward.

Camp-position notice for Gershonasyndeton
Each clan's assignment follows a fixed pattern — camp position, then census total, then duty (cf. Kohath vv. 27-31, Merari vv. 33-37); Gershon's western position, directly behind the tabernacle's rear, matches its duty over the tent's own coverings (v. 25).
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖תthe families ofN f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Subject of יַחֲנוּ (head of construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; subject of the encampment formula, heading the list of a clan's assigned camping position.
הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑יthe Gershoniteart + N gentilic m sg abs · גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (H1649)Genitive of the construct chainגֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (H1649), gentilic 'Gershonite', from גֵּרְשׁוֹן; designates the clans descended from Levi's firstborn son.
אַחֲרֵ֧יbehindprep · אַחַר (H310)Locative prepositional phraseאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; locates the Gershonite camp relative to the tabernacle entrance, which faces east — 'behind' it is thus the west side.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Object of the prepositionמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place, tabernacle', from שָׁכַן 'to dwell'; object of the preposition, locating a clan's camp or duties relative to the sanctuary structure.
יַחֲנ֖וּshall campQal impf 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Imperfective: a standing, ongoing arrangementחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; establishes the fixed camping position for each clan, paralleling the tribal camp arrangement of ch. 2.
יָֽמָּהwestwardN m sg abs/directional ה · יָם (H3220)Adverbial accusative of directionיָם (H3220) 'sea'; with directional הּ, יָמָּה 'seaward' = 'westward' (the Mediterranean lying west of Israel) — the conventional Hebrew term for that compass direction.
24

וּנְשִׂ֥יא בֵֽית אָ֖ב לַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י אֶלְיָסָ֖ף בֶּן לָאֵֽל

And the chief of the fathers' house of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael.

Naming the Gershonite chief, completing the clan's profileוְ
Each of the three Levitical clans receives a named נָשִׂיא (cf. Elizaphan for Kohath, v. 30; Zuriel for Merari, v. 35), mirroring the tribal chieftain structure of chs. 1-2 and giving each guard-duty group an identifiable human head answerable for its charge.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וּנְשִׂ֥יאAnd the chief ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Subject of the implied verbless clause (head of construct chain)נָשִׂיא (H5387) 'chief, prince, leader'; the same title given to the tribal leaders of chs. 1-2, here applied to the head of a Levitical sub-clan.
בֵֽיתthe house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive of the construct chainבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct in בֵּית אָבוֹת 'house of the fathers', the patrilineal unit heading a clan's leadership.
אָ֖בfather(s)N m sg abs · אָב (H1)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּית אָב 'father's house', the standard census/leadership unit (cf. v. 15).
לַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑יof the Gershonitesprep לְ + art + N gentilic m sg abs · גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (H1649)Adverbial prepositional phrase (specifying whose leader)גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (H1649), gentilic 'Gershonite'; specifies whose chief Eliasaph is (v. 24).
אֶלְיָסָ֖ףEliasaphN proper · אֶלְיָסָף (H460)Predicate nominative, naming the chiefאֶלְיָסָף (H460) 'God has added'; chief of the Gershonite fathers' house (cf. 4:24).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chain (patronymic)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here in a patronymic construct, 'son of PN', identifying a clan chief's father.
לָאֵֽלLaelN proper · לָאֵל (H3815)Genitive of the construct chainלָאֵל (H3815) 'belonging to God'; otherwise unknown, Eliasaph's father.
25

וּמִשְׁמֶ֤רֶת בְּנֵֽי גֵרְשׁוֹן֙ בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן וְהָאֹ֑הֶל מִכְסֵ֕הוּ וּמָסַ֕ךְ פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד

And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting: the tabernacle and the tent, its covering, and the screen of the entrance of the tent of meeting.

Detailed duty-list for Gershon, the chapter's first concrete assignmentוְ
The list itemizes the soft, textile components of the sanctuary — curtains, coverings, and screens — matching Gershon's western camp position behind the tabernacle and anticipating the fuller inventory of 4:25-26.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וּמִשְׁמֶ֤רֶתAnd the charge ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Subject of the implied verbless clause (head of construct chain)מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) resumes the chapter's key term (cf. v. 7), now itemized for Gershon.
בְּנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי, 'sons of', regularly introduces a genealogical or tribal list.
גֵרְשׁוֹן֙GershonN proper · גֵּרְשׁוֹן (H1648)Genitive of the construct chainגֵּרְשׁוֹן (H1648), from גרש 'to drive out, expel', Levi's firstborn son; his clans camp west of the tabernacle and tend its textiles — curtains, coverings, and screens.
בְּאֹ֣הֶלin the tent ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; construct before מוֹעֵד, locating the Gershonites' charge specifically within the tent of meeting.
מוֹעֵ֔דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive of the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time, meeting'; construct in אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד 'tent of meeting', the Priestly designation for the tabernacle as the site of appointed divine-human meeting.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Apposition, listing the first item of the chargeמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) here names the inner structure of woven curtains, distinguished from הָאֹהֶל (the outer goat-hair covering) next — Gershon guards the tabernacle's textile components, not its wooden frame (Merari's charge, v. 36).
וְהָאֹ֑הֶלand the tentconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Coordinate item of the chargeאֹהֶל (H168) here the outer tent-covering proper, distinct from מִשְׁכָּן; see Exod 26:1-14 for the layered curtain-and-covering system.
מִכְסֵ֕הוּits coveringN m sg constr/3ms suff · מִכְסֶה (H4372)Coordinate item of the charge (apposition)מִכְסֶה (H4372) 'covering', from כָּסָה 'to cover'; the outermost weatherproof layers — rams'-skins and dolphin/dugong-skins (Exod 26:14).
וּמָסַ֕ךְand the screen ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · מָסָךְ (H4539)Coordinate item of the charge (head of construct chain)מָסָךְ (H4539) 'screen, hanging'; the woven curtain hung at an entrance.
פֶּ֖תַחthe entrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Genitive of the construct chainפֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, entrance', from פָּתַח 'to open'.
אֹ֥הֶלthe tent ofN m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive of the construct chainאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; construct before מוֹעֵד in אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, 'tent of meeting', the tabernacle proper.
מוֹעֵֽדmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive of the construct chain, closing the repeated אֹהֶל מוֹעֵדמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time, meeting'; closes the repeated phrase אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, 'tent of meeting', naming the second scope of the Gershonite charge.
26

וְקַלְעֵ֣י הֶֽחָצֵ֗ר וְאֶת מָסַךְ֙ פֶּ֣תַח הֶֽחָצֵ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֧ר עַל הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ן וְעַל הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ סָבִ֑יב וְאֵת֙ מֵֽיתָרָ֔יו לְכֹ֖ל עֲבֹדָתֽוֹ

And the hangings of the court, and the screen of the entrance of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar all around, and its cords — for all its service.

Continuation of Gershon's duty-list, extending to the courtyardוְ
The list moves outward from the tent itself (v. 25) to the surrounding court (v. 26), completing Gershon's charge over every piece of woven fabric in the sanctuary complex — curtains, coverings, screens, hangings, and their cords.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְקַלְעֵ֣יAnd the hangings ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · קֶלַע (H7050)Coordinate item of the charge, continuing v. 25's listקֶלַע (H7050) 'hanging, curtain'; the woven wall-hangings enclosing the courtyard, distinct from the tent's own curtains.
הֶֽחָצֵ֗רthe courtart + N common sg abs · חָצֵר (H2691)Genitive of the construct chainחָצֵר (H2691) 'court, enclosure'; the open courtyard surrounding the tabernacle proper, defined by these hangings (Exod 27:9-19).
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker
מָסַךְ֙the screen ofN m sg constr · מָסָךְ (H4539)Direct object (head of construct chain)מָסָךְ (H4539) 'screen, covering', from סָכַךְ 'to cover'; the woven curtain hung at an entrance, part of the Gershonite textile charge.
פֶּ֣תַחthe entrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Genitive of the construct chainפֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, entrance, doorway'; specifies where the screen (מָסָךְ) hangs.
הֶֽחָצֵ֔רthe courtart + N common sg abs · חָצֵר (H2691)Genitive of the construct chainחָצֵר (H2691) 'court, enclosure'; the fenced courtyard surrounding the tabernacle proper.
אֲשֶׁ֧רwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing a locative relative clause
עַלis byprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (predicate of the relative clause)עַל (H5921) 'upon, by, near'; locates the court's hangings as surrounding both tabernacle and altar.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Object of the prepositionמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place, tabernacle', from שָׁכַן 'to dwell'; object of the preposition, locating a clan's camp or duties relative to the sanctuary structure.
וְעַלand byconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinate locative prepositional phrase
הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַthe altarart + N m sg abs · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Object of the prepositionמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar', from זָבַח 'to sacrifice'; here the bronze altar of burnt offering standing in the court.
סָבִ֑יבall aroundN common sg abs (adverbial) · סָבִיב (H5439)Adverbial accusative of placeסָבִיב (H5439) 'round about'; the court hangings encircle the whole sanctuary complex.
וְאֵת֙and [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker
מֵֽיתָרָ֔יוits cordsN m pl constr/3ms suff · מֵיתָר (H4340)Coordinate direct objectמֵיתָר (H4340) 'cord, tent-rope'; the guy-ropes anchoring the court hangings and tent.
לְכֹ֖לfor all ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (purpose/scope)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct introducing the summary phrase covering everything involved in the tabernacle and court's service, its cords included.
עֲבֹדָתֽוֹits serviceN f sg constr/3ms suff · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Genitive of the construct chain, closing the verseעֲבֹדָה (H5656) closes the Gershonite duty-list with the chapter's other key term (cf. vv. 7-8), summarizing all the incidental labor the itemized list implies.
27

וְלִקְהָ֗ת מִשְׁפַּ֤חַת הַֽעַמְרָמִי֙ וּמִשְׁפַּ֣חַת הַיִּצְהָרִ֔י וּמִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙ הַֽחֶבְרֹנִ֔י וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָֽעָזִּיאֵלִ֑י אֵ֥לֶּה הֵ֖ם מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הַקְּהָתִֽי

And to Kohath belong the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites; these are the families of the Kohathites.

Detailed treatment of Kohath's four sub-clans beginsוְ
Kohath's four sons of v. 19 now become four gentilic sub-clans; the Izharite line will include Korah, whose rebellion in ch. 16 tests the very priestly boundaries this chapter establishes.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְלִקְהָ֗תAnd to Kohathconj וְ + prep לְ + N proper · קְהָת (H6955)Dative of possession (fronted topic)קְהָת (H6955); fronted dative of possession opening the Kohathite section, 'and to Kohath (belong)...'.
מִשְׁפַּ֤חַתthe family ofN f sg constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Subject of the implied clause (head of construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; heads a sub-clan name in the list of a Levitical division's families.
הַֽעַמְרָמִי֙the Amramiteart + N gentilic m sg abs · עַמְרָמִי (H6020)Genitive of the construct chainעַמְרָמִי (H6020), gentilic of Amram (cf. v. 19) — the sub-clan that includes Moses and Aaron's own immediate family.
וּמִשְׁפַּ֣חַתand the family ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Coordinate subject (head of construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; coordinate item in a list of a clan's constituent sub-families.
הַיִּצְהָרִ֔יthe Izhariteart + N gentilic m sg abs · יִצְהָרִי (H3325)Genitive of the construct chainיִצְהָרִי (H3325), gentilic of Izhar; Korah's own sub-clan (cf. 16:1).
וּמִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙and the family ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Coordinate subject (head of construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; coordinate item in a list of a clan's constituent sub-families.
הַֽחֶבְרֹנִ֔יthe Hebroniteart + N gentilic m sg abs · חֶבְרֹנִי (H2276)Genitive of the construct chainחֶבְרֹנִי (H2276), gentilic of Hebron (cf. v. 19).
וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַתand the family ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Coordinate subject (head of construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; coordinate item in a list of a clan's constituent sub-families.
הָֽעָזִּיאֵלִ֑יthe Uzzieliteart + N gentilic m sg abs · עָזִּיאֵלִי (H5817)Genitive of the construct chainעָזִּיאֵלִי (H5817), gentilic of Uzziel (cf. v. 19).
אֵ֥לֶּהthesedem pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the summarizing verbless clauseאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; closes a clan-list with a summarizing demonstrative, 'these are the families of...'.
הֵ֖םthey areindep pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Predicate/copulaהֵם (H1992), 3mp independent pronoun functioning as copula in a verbless identification clause, 'they are...'.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥תthe families ofN f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; the sub-tribal unit summarizing a clan-list, 'the families of...'.
הַקְּהָתִֽיthe Kohathiteart + N gentilic m sg abs · קְהָתִי (H6956)Genitive of the construct chain (collective singular)קְהָתִי (H6956), gentilic of Kohath — the clan-name used for census and camp purposes through v. 32.
28

בְּמִסְפַּר֙ כָּל זָכָ֔ר מִבֶּן חֹ֖דֶשׁ וָמָ֑עְלָה שְׁמֹנַ֤ת אֲלָפִים֙ וְשֵׁ֣שׁ מֵא֔וֹת שֹׁמְרֵ֖י מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ

In the number of every male from a month old and upward: eight thousand six hundred, keepers of the charge of the holy things.

Census total and distinguishing function for Kohathasyndeton
Unlike Gershon (v. 22) and Merari (v. 34), Kohath's total is immediately qualified by its function — 'keepers of the charge of the holy things' — marking this clan's unique proximity to the most sacred objects, the reason its members alone face lethal danger if they touch or glimpse the uncovered holy things (4:15, 20).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
בְּמִסְפַּר֙in the number ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִסְפָּר (H4557)Adverbial prepositional phrase specifying scopeמִסְפָּר (H4557) 'number, count'; introduces the specific census figure for a clan or sub-group.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs זָכָר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before זָכָר, 'every male' — the recurring census criterion of this chapter.
זָכָ֔רmaleadj m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Genitive of the construct chainזָכָר (H2145) 'male'; specifies that only males are counted, consistent with the tribal/military-style reckoning of Numbers.
מִבֶּןfrom a monthprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Temporal prepositional phrase (age formula)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; part of the fixed age-idiom מִבֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ, literally 'from a son of a month' = 'from a month old', the minimum age set for this census.
חֹ֖דֶשׁoldN m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive completing the age formulaחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'new moon, month'; completes the age-idiom בֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ וָמַעְלָה, 'a month old and up', the threshold for counting males.
וָמָ֑עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv/directional ה · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial extension of the age formula (open-ended)
שְׁמֹנַ֤תeightnumeral f sg constr · שְׁמֹנֶה (H8083)Numeral (construct, governs אֲלָפִים)שְׁמֹנֶה (H8083) 'eight'.
אֲלָפִים֙thousandnumeral common pl abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Genitive of the construct chainאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; the large round unit of the census totals.
וְשֵׁ֣שׁand sixconj וְ + numeral f sg abs · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Coordinate numeralשֵׁשׁ (H8337) 'six'; coordinate with מֵאוֹת, completing the Kohathite total of 8,600 (v. 28).
מֵא֔וֹתhundrednumeral common pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Genitive completing the numeralThe Kohathite total, 8,600 — the largest of the three clans, reflecting Kohath's central role in carrying the holiest furnishings.
שֹׁמְרֵ֖יkeepers ofQal act ptc m pl constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Apposition, describing the counted total's function→ Participial: an ongoing, characterizing roleשָׁמַר (H8104), active participle used substantively, 'those who keep/guard'; a fresh phrase not used for Gershon or Merari — Kohath's charge is singled out as guarding מִשְׁמֶרֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ, anticipating the detailed list of v. 31 and 4:4-15.
מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶתthe charge ofN f sg constr · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Direct object of שֹׁמְרֵי (head of construct chain)מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) 'guard-duty, charge, obligation', from שָׁמַר 'to keep'; the assigned custodial responsibility for the sanctuary and its furnishings.
הַקֹּֽדֶשׁthe holy thingsart + N m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Genitive of the construct chainקֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness, sacred thing'; here the holiest objects themselves — ark, table, lampstand, altars (v. 31) — which only Kohath may transport, and only after Aaron's sons have covered them (4:5-15).
29

מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת בְּנֵי קְהָ֖ת יַחֲנ֑וּ עַ֛ל יֶ֥רֶךְ הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן תֵּימָֽנָה

The families of the sons of Kohath shall camp on the side of the tabernacle southward.

Camp-position notice for Kohath, mirroring Gershon's (v. 23)asyndeton
Kohath's southern position completes three of the tabernacle's four flanks; only the east, facing the entrance, is reserved for Moses, Aaron, and his sons (v. 38).
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥תthe families ofN f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Subject of יַחֲנוּ (head of construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; subject of the encampment formula, heading the list of a clan's assigned camping position.
בְּנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי, 'sons of', regularly introduces a genealogical or tribal list.
קְהָ֖תKohathN proper · קְהָת (H6955)Genitive of the construct chainקְהָת (H6955), Levi's second son, ancestor of the Kohathite clans; their charge is the sanctuary's holiest furnishings — ark, table, lampstand, altars, and vessels.
יַחֲנ֑וּshall campQal impf 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Imperfective: a standing, ongoing arrangementחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp, pitch camp'; specifies each clan's fixed position around the tabernacle.
עַ֛לonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
יֶ֥רֶךְthe side ofN f sg constr · יָרֵךְ (H3409)Object of the preposition (head of construct chain)יָרֵךְ (H3409) 'thigh, side, flank'; used spatially of the tabernacle's flank.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Genitive of the construct chainמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place, tabernacle', from שָׁכַן 'to dwell'; the portable sanctuary structure each Levitical clan is assigned to camp near and to serve.
תֵּימָֽנָהsouthwardN f sg abs/directional ה · תֵּימָן (H8486)Adverbial accusative of directionתֵּימָן (H8486) 'south, right hand'; with directional ה, תֵּימָנָה 'southward' — the position opposite Gershon's west (v. 23) and Merari's north (v. 35).
30

וּנְשִׂ֥יא בֵֽית אָ֖ב לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת הַקְּהָתִ֑י אֶלִיצָפָ֖ן בֶּן עֻזִּיאֵֽל

And the chief of the fathers' house of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan son of Uzziel.

Naming the Kohathite chief, mirroring v. 24וְ
Elizaphan's close kinship to Aaron (as Uzziel's son, cf. Exod 6:18, 22) places family leadership near the center of the priestly line, even as the wider Kohathite clan is barred from the priesthood itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וּנְשִׂ֥יאAnd the chief ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Subject of the implied verbless clause (head of construct chain)נָשִׂיא (H5387) 'chief, leader, prince', from נָשָׂא 'to lift up'; the one 'lifted up' to head a clan's ancestral house.
בֵֽיתthe house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive of the construct chainבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct in בֵּית אָבוֹת 'house of the fathers', the patrilineal unit heading a clan's leadership.
אָ֖בfather(s)N m sg abs · אָב (H1)Genitive of the construct chainאָב (H1) 'father'; construct in בֵּית אָבוֹת, 'house of the fathers', the patrilineal unit heading a clan's leadership.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֣תof the families ofprep לְ + N f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phrase (specifying whose leader)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; specifies which clans' chief is in view.
הַקְּהָתִ֑יthe Kohathitesart + N gentilic m sg abs · קְהָתִי (H6956)Genitive of the construct chainקְהָתִי (H6956), gentilic 'Kohathite', from קְהָת; designates the clans descended from Levi's second son.
אֶלִיצָפָ֖ןElizaphanN proper · אֱלִיצָפָן (H469)Predicate nominative, naming the chiefאֱלִיצָפָן (H469) 'my God has protected'; leads the Kohathite fathers' house and later, with Nadab's death fresh in memory, helps carry his and Abihu's bodies from the sanctuary (Lev 10:4).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chain (patronymic)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here in a patronymic construct, 'son of PN', identifying a clan chief's father.
עֻזִּיאֵֽלUzzielN proper · עֻזִּיאֵל (H5816)Genitive of the construct chainUzziel, Kohath's fourth son (v. 19) and thus Elizaphan's father — making Elizaphan Aaron's first cousin.
31

וּמִשְׁמַרְתָּ֗ם הָאָרֹ֤ן וְהַשֻּׁלְחָן֙ וְהַמְּנֹרָ֣ה וְהַֽמִּזְבְּחֹ֔ת וּכְלֵ֣י הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְשָׁרְת֖וּ בָּהֶ֑ם וְהַ֨מָּסָ֔ךְ וְכֹ֖ל עֲבֹדָתֽוֹ

And their charge: the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the screen, and all its service.

Detailed duty-list for Kohath, the chapter's most sacred inventoryוְ
In contrast to Gershon's soft goods, Kohath's list names the tabernacle's most holy furniture; the relative clause 'with which they minister' clarifies that these objects belong properly to priestly use, and the Kohathites' role is confined to transport under strict priestly supervision (4:5-15, 20).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וּמִשְׁמַרְתָּ֗םAnd their chargeconj וְ + N f sg constr/3mp suff · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Subject of the implied verbless clause (head of construct chain)מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) resumes the key term for Kohath, now itemizing the holiest furnishings, in contrast to Gershon's textiles (vv. 25-26).
הָאָרֹ֤ןthe arkart + N common sg abs · אָרוֹן (H727)Apposition, listing the first item of the chargeאָרוֹן (H727) 'ark, chest'; the ark of the covenant, housing the tablets of the law — the single holiest object in Israel's cult (Exod 25:10-22).
וְהַשֻּׁלְחָן֙and the tableconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · שֻׁלְחָן (H7979)Coordinate item of the chargeשֻׁלְחָן (H7979) 'table'; the table for the bread of the Presence (Exod 25:23-30).
וְהַמְּנֹרָ֣הand the lampstandconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · מְנוֹרָה (H4501)Coordinate item of the chargeמְנוֹרָה (H4501) 'lampstand'; the golden seven-branched lampstand (Exod 25:31-40).
וְהַֽמִּזְבְּחֹ֔תand the altarsconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Coordinate item of the chargeמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196), here plural — the incense altar (Exod 30:1-10) and the bronze altar; Kohath's charge spans the tent's interior furniture and the courtyard altar alike.
וּכְלֵ֣יand the vessels ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Coordinate item of the charge (head of construct chain)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement'; the ancillary sacred utensils used with each piece of furniture.
הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁthe sanctuaryart + N m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Genitive of the construct chainקֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness, sanctuary, holy things'; construct before כְּלֵי, 'vessels of the sanctuary' — the Kohathites' charge over the holiest furnishings.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwith whichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the purpose clause
יְשָׁרְת֖וּthey ministerPiel impf 3mp · שֵׁרֵת (H8334)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Imperfective: the ongoing ministerial use of the vesselsשֵׁרֵת (H8334), Piel 'to minister'; the same verb used of the Levites' own service (v. 6) — here of the priests' use of these vessels, which the Kohathites merely carry, never operate.
בָּהֶ֑םby themprep בְּ/3mp suffAdverbial complement (instrument) of יְשָׁרְתוּThe preposition בְּ with 3mp suffix, בָּהֶם 'by/with them'; instrumental complement of יְשָׁרְתוּ, 'they minister by means of them' (i.e. the holy vessels).
וְהַ֨מָּסָ֔ךְand the screenconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · מָסָךְ (H4539)Coordinate item of the chargeמָסָךְ (H4539); here the inner veil/screen separating the holy place from the most holy (cf. Exod 26:31-33, 36), distinct from the outer court-screen of Gershon's charge (vv. 25-26).
וְכֹ֖לand all ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate item of the chargeכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct introducing an additional item comprehensively included in the clan's assigned charge.
עֲבֹדָתֽוֹits serviceN f sg constr/3ms suff · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Genitive of the construct chain, closing the verseThe Kohathite duty-list closes, like Gershon's (v. 26), with עֲבֹדָה summarizing the incidental labor, though Kohath alone never touches the sancta directly — only after the priests have wrapped and covered them (4:5-15).
32

וּנְשִׂיא֙ נְשִׂיאֵ֣י הַלֵּוִ֔י אֶלְעָזָ֖ר בֶּן אַהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֑ן פְּקֻדַּ֕ת שֹׁמְרֵ֖י מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ

And the chief of the chiefs of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, overseer of the keepers of the charge of the holy things.

Naming Eleazar as chief over the three Levitical chiefs, closing the Kohath unitוְ
Eleazar's rank as 'chief of the chiefs' places a member of Aaron's own priestly house at the administrative head of the entire Levitical guard-service, foreshadowing his succession as high priest (20:25-28) and his role directing the Kohathites' transport duties (4:16).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וּנְשִׂיא֙And the chief ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Subject of the implied verbless clause (head of construct chain)This superlative נְשִׂיא נְשִׂיאֵי ('chief of the chiefs') marks Eleazar's office as standing over the three clan-chiefs just named, foreshadowing his eventual succession to the high priesthood (20:25-28).
נְשִׂיאֵ֣יthe chiefs ofN m pl constr · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Genitive of the construct chain (superlative construct)נָשִׂיא (H5387) 'chief, leader, prince'; plural construct, superlative — 'chief of the chiefs of Levi', Eleazar's rank over the other Levitical leaders.
הַלֵּוִ֔יthe Levitesart + N gentilic m sg abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Genitive of the construct chain (collective singular)לֵוִי (H3881), gentilic collective singular 'the Levites'; governed by נְשִׂיאֵי, 'chiefs of the Levites'.
אֶלְעָזָ֖רEleazarN proper · אֶלְעָזָר (H499)Predicate nominative, naming the chiefאֶלְעָזָר (H499) 'God has helped'; Aaron's third son, here named the chief overseeing all the Levitical chiefs (cf. v. 4).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chain (patronymic)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here in a patronymic construct, 'son of PN', identifying a clan chief's father.
אַהֲרֹ֣ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Genitive of the construct chainאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' elder brother and Israel's first high priest (Exod 28-29); here in construct, marking possession or relation.
הַכֹּהֵ֑ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition to אַהֲרֹןכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; in apposition to 'Aaron', naming his cultic office.
פְּקֻדַּ֕תoverseer ofN f sg constr · פְּקֻדָּה (H6486)Apposition, describing Eleazar's function (head of construct chain)פְּקֻדָּה (H6486) 'oversight, appointment, office', cognate to פָּקַד; Eleazar's specific charge is administrative oversight of the Kohathite guard-duty over the holy things.
שֹׁמְרֵ֖יthe keepers ofQal act ptc m pl constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Genitive of the construct chain (substantival participle)→ Participial: those characteristically performing the guard-dutyשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard'; substantival participle, 'those who keep' — Eleazar's oversight extends to the guard-duty over the sanctuary's charge.
מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶתthe charge ofN f sg constr · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Direct object of שֹׁמְרֵי (head of construct chain)מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) 'guard-duty, charge, obligation', from שָׁמַר 'to keep'; the assigned custodial responsibility for the sanctuary and its furnishings.
הַקֹּֽדֶשׁthe holy thingsart + N m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Genitive of the construct chain, closing the verseThe verse closes the Kohath section by placing Eleazar — soon to be Aaron's priestly successor — directly over the guardians of the holy things, structurally linking the Levitical guard-duty to the priesthood proper.
33

לִמְרָרִ֕י מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙ הַמַּחְלִ֔י וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַמּוּשִׁ֑י אֵ֥לֶּה הֵ֖ם מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת מְרָרִֽי

To Merari belong the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these are the families of Merari.

Detailed treatment of Merari's two sub-clans beginsasyndeton
Merari's two sons of v. 20 become two gentilic sub-clans, matching the pattern used for Gershon (v. 21) and Kohath (v. 27); Merari's assignment (vv. 34-37) covers the tabernacle's heaviest structural elements.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
לִמְרָרִ֕יTo Merariprep לְ + N proper · מְרָרִי (H4847)Dative of possession (fronted topic)מְרָרִי (H4847); fronted dative of possession opening the Merarite section, 'and to Merari (belong)...'.
מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙the family ofN f sg constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Subject of the implied clause (head of construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; heads a sub-clan name in the list of a Levitical division's families.
הַמַּחְלִ֔יthe Mahliteart + N gentilic m sg abs · מַחְלִי (H4250)Genitive of the construct chainמַחְלִי (H4250), gentilic of Mahli (cf. v. 20).
וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַתand the family ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Coordinate subject (head of construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; coordinate item in a list of a clan's constituent sub-families.
הַמּוּשִׁ֑יthe Mushiteart + N gentilic m sg abs · מוּשִׁי (H4188)Genitive of the construct chainמוּשִׁי (H4188), gentilic of Mushi (cf. v. 20).
אֵ֥לֶּהthesedem pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the summarizing verbless clauseאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; closes a clan-list with a summarizing demonstrative, 'these are the families of...'.
הֵ֖םthey areindep pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Predicate/copulaהֵם (H1992), 3mp independent pronoun functioning as copula in a verbless identification clause, 'they are...'.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥תthe families ofN f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Predicate nominative (head of construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; the sub-tribal unit summarizing a clan-list, 'the families of...'.
מְרָרִֽיMerariN proper · מְרָרִי (H4847)Genitive of the construct chainUnlike Gershon and Kohath (vv. 21, 27), Merari's summary uses the personal name itself rather than a gentilic form — a minor stylistic variation with no clear significance.
34

וּפְקֻדֵיהֶם֙ בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר כָּל זָכָ֔ר מִבֶּן חֹ֖דֶשׁ וָמָ֑עְלָה שֵׁ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים וּמָאתָֽיִם

And their counted ones, in the number of every male from a month old and upward: six thousand two hundred.

Census total for the Merarite clanוְ
Merari's total, 6,200, is the smallest of the three clans (cf. Gershon 7,500, v. 22; Kohath 8,600, v. 28) yet its members bear the tabernacle's heaviest components — frames, bars, pillars, sockets (v. 36) — suggesting numbers were not allotted purely by workload.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וּפְקֻדֵיהֶם֙And their counted onesconj וְ + Qal pass ptc m pl constr/3mp suff · פָּקַד (H6485)Subject of the verbless clause (census total)→ Stative/passive: those who have been counted, as a fixed totalפָּקוּד (H6485), resuming the census-total idiom of vv. 22, 28.
בְּמִסְפַּ֣רin the number ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִסְפָּר (H4557)Adverbial prepositional phrase specifying scopeמִסְפָּר (H4557) 'number, count'; introduces the specific census figure for a clan or sub-group.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs זָכָר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before זָכָר, 'every male' — the recurring census criterion of this chapter.
זָכָ֔רmaleadj m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Genitive of the construct chainזָכָר (H2145) 'male'; specifies that only males are counted, consistent with the tribal/military-style reckoning of Numbers.
מִבֶּןfrom a monthprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Temporal prepositional phrase (age formula)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; part of the fixed age-idiom מִבֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ, literally 'from a son of a month' = 'from a month old', the minimum age set for this census.
חֹ֖דֶשׁoldN m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive completing the age formulaחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'new moon, month'; completes the age-idiom בֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ וָמַעְלָה, 'a month old and up', the threshold for counting males.
וָמָ֑עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv/directional ה · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial extension of the age formula (open-ended)
שֵׁ֥שֶׁתsixnumeral m sg constr · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Numeral (construct, governs אֲלָפִים)שֵׁשׁ (H8337) 'six'.
אֲלָפִ֖יםthousandnumeral common pl abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Genitive of the construct chainאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; the large round unit of the census totals.
וּמָאתָֽיִםand two hundredconj וְ + numeral common dual abs · מָאתַיִם (H3967)Coordinate numeralמָאתַיִם, dual of מֵאָה, 'two hundred'; the Merarite total, 6,200 — the smallest of the three clans, though tasked with the heaviest physical labor of carrying the tabernacle's frame.
35

וּנְשִׂ֤יא בֵֽית אָב֙ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת מְרָרִ֔י צוּרִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן אֲבִיחָ֑יִל עַ֣ל יֶ֧רֶךְ הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ן יַחֲנ֖וּ צָפֹֽנָה

And the chief of the fathers' house of the families of Merari was Zuriel son of Abihail; they shall camp on the side of the tabernacle northward.

Naming the Merarite chief and camp position togetherוְ
Unlike Gershon and Kohath, whose chief-naming and camp-position notices are separate verses (vv. 23-24, 29-30), Merari's are combined in one verse, perhaps for economy as the chapter's census-and-assignment pattern nears its close.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וּנְשִׂ֤יאAnd the chief ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Subject of the implied verbless clause (head of construct chain)נָשִׂיא (H5387) 'chief, leader, prince', from נָשָׂא 'to lift up'; the one 'lifted up' to head a clan's ancestral house.
בֵֽיתthe house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive of the construct chainבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct in בֵּית אָבוֹת 'house of the fathers', the patrilineal unit heading a clan's leadership.
אָב֙father(s)N m sg abs · אָב (H1)Genitive of the construct chainאָב (H1) 'father'; construct in בֵּית אָבוֹת, 'house of the fathers', the patrilineal unit heading a clan's leadership.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֣תof the families ofprep לְ + N f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phrase (specifying whose leader)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; specifies which clans' chief is in view.
מְרָרִ֔יMerariN proper · מְרָרִי (H4847)Genitive of the construct chainמְרָרִי (H4847) 'bitter'; Levi's third son and ancestor of the Merarite clans, assigned the tabernacle's heavy structural frame-work — frames, bars, pillars, and sockets.
צוּרִיאֵ֖לZurielN proper · צוּרִיאֵל (H6700)Predicate nominative, naming the chiefצוּרִיאֵל (H6700) 'my rock is God'; chief of the Merarite fathers' house.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chain (patronymic)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here in a patronymic construct, 'son of PN', identifying a clan chief's father.
אֲבִיחָ֑יִלAbihailN proper · אֲבִיחַיִל (H32)Genitive of the construct chainאֲבִיחַיִל (H32) 'my father is strength'; otherwise unknown, Zuriel's father.
עַ֣לonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
יֶ֧רֶךְthe side ofN f sg constr · יָרֵךְ (H3409)Object of the preposition (head of construct chain)יָרֵךְ (H3409) 'side, flank, thigh'; locates the Merarites' camp at the northern side of the tabernacle.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Genitive of the construct chainמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place, tabernacle', from שָׁכַן 'to dwell'; the portable sanctuary structure each Levitical clan is assigned to camp near and to serve.
יַחֲנ֖וּthey shall campQal impf 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Imperfective: a standing, ongoing arrangementחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp, pitch camp'; specifies each clan's fixed position around the tabernacle.
צָפֹֽנָהnorthwardN f sg abs/directional ה · צָפוֹן (H6828)Adverbial accusative of directionצָפוֹן (H6828) 'north'; with directional ה, צָפֹנָה 'northward' — completing the fourth flank alongside Gershon (west, v. 23), Kohath (south, v. 29), and Moses/Aaron (east, v. 38).
36

וּפְקֻדַּ֣ת מִשְׁמֶרֶת֮ בְּנֵ֣י מְרָרִי֒ קַרְשֵׁי֙ הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן וּבְרִיחָ֖יו וְעַמֻּדָ֣יו וַאֲדָנָ֑יו וְכָל כֵּלָ֔יו וְכֹ֖ל עֲבֹדָתֽוֹ

And the appointed charge of the sons of Merari: the frames of the tabernacle, and its bars, and its pillars, and its sockets, and all its vessels, and all its service.

Detailed duty-list for Merari, completing the three-clan assignment patternוְ
Merari's list names the tabernacle's rigid wooden and metal skeleton — frames, bars, pillars, sockets — the structural counterpart to Gershon's textiles (vv. 25-26) and Kohath's furniture (v. 31), completing the chapter's full inventory of the sanctuary's transportable parts.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וּפְקֻדַּ֣תAnd the appointed portion ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · פְּקֻדָּה (H6486)Subject of the implied verbless clause (head of double construct chain)פְּקֻדָּה (H6486) 'oversight, appointed portion', cognate to פָּקַד; in construct with מִשְׁמֶרֶת it doubles the terminology of assignment — 'the appointed charge'.
מִשְׁמֶרֶת֮the charge ofN f sg constr · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Genitive of the construct chain (second head)מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) 'guard-duty, charge'; second head noun in the list of the Merarites' structural charge — frames, bars, pillars, sockets, and their equipment.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי, 'sons of', regularly introduces a genealogical or tribal list.
מְרָרִי֒MerariN proper · מְרָרִי (H4847)Genitive of the construct chainמְרָרִי (H4847) 'bitter'; Levi's third son and ancestor of the Merarite clans, assigned the tabernacle's heavy structural frame-work — frames, bars, pillars, and sockets.
קַרְשֵׁי֙the frames ofN m pl constr · קֶרֶשׁ (H7175)Apposition, listing the first item of the charge (head of construct chain)קֶרֶשׁ (H7175) 'frame, board'; the standing wooden wall-panels, overlaid with gold, that form the tabernacle's structural skeleton (Exod 26:15-30) — the heaviest single component Merari carries.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Genitive of the construct chainמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place, tabernacle', from שָׁכַן 'to dwell'; the portable sanctuary structure each Levitical clan is assigned to camp near and to serve.
וּבְרִיחָ֖יוand its barsconj וְ + N m pl constr/3ms suff · בְּרִיחַ (H1280)Coordinate item of the chargeבְּרִיחַ (H1280) 'bar, crossbar'; the horizontal bars threading through rings to lock the frames together (Exod 26:26-29).
וְעַמֻּדָ֣יוand its pillarsconj וְ + N m pl constr/3ms suff · עַמּוּד (H5982)Coordinate item of the chargeעַמּוּד (H5982) 'pillar, column'; supports for the inner veil and entrance screens (Exod 26:32, 37).
וַאֲדָנָ֑יוand its socketsconj וְ + N m pl constr/3ms suff · אֶדֶן (H134)Coordinate item of the chargeאֶדֶן (H134) 'socket, base'; the silver or bronze footings into which the frames and pillars are set (Exod 26:19-25).
וְכָלand all ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate item of the charge (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct introducing an additional item — the fittings/equipment — comprehensively included in the Merarite charge.
כֵּלָ֔יוits vesselsN m pl constr/3ms suff · כְּלִי (H3627)Genitive of the construct chainכְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement'; the ancillary hardware — pegs, hammers, and fittings — needed to erect the frame structure.
וְכֹ֖לand all ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate item of the chargeכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct introducing an additional item comprehensively included in the clan's assigned charge.
עֲבֹדָתֽוֹits serviceN f sg constr/3ms suff · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Genitive of the construct chain, closing the verseThe Merarite duty-list closes, like Gershon's (v. 26) and Kohath's (v. 31), with עֲבֹדָה — the physically heaviest of the three assignments, matching Merari's numerical modesty (6,200, v. 34) with brute structural responsibility.
37

וְעַמֻּדֵ֧י הֶחָצֵ֛ר סָבִ֖יב וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֑ם וִיתֵדֹתָ֖ם וּמֵֽיתְרֵיהֶֽם

And the pillars of the court all around, and their sockets, and their pegs, and their cords.

Continuation of Merari's duty-list, extending to the courtyardוְ
Like Gershon's charge, which moves from the tent (v. 25) to the court (v. 26), Merari's list extends outward from the tabernacle's frame (v. 36) to the court's own pillars, sockets, pegs, and cords, completing the structural half of the sanctuary inventory.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וְעַמֻּדֵ֧יAnd the pillars ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · עַמּוּד (H5982)Subject of the implied verbless clause (head of construct chain)עַמּוּד (H5982) again (cf. v. 36), now the courtyard's own perimeter pillars supporting its hangings (Exod 27:9-17), distinct from the pillars inside the tent.
הֶחָצֵ֛רthe courtart + N common sg abs · חָצֵר (H2691)Genitive of the construct chainחָצֵר (H2691) 'court, enclosure'; the fenced courtyard surrounding the tabernacle proper.
סָבִ֖יבall aroundN common sg abs (adverbial) · סָבִיב (H5439)Adverbial accusative of placeסָבִיב (H5439) 'surrounding, around'; adverbial accusative specifying that the pillars and cords ring the court on every side.
וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֑םand their socketsconj וְ + N m pl constr/3mp suff · אֶדֶן (H134)Coordinate item of the chargeאֶדֶן (H134) 'socket, base', from אָדַן; the stone or metal footings into which the tabernacle's frames and pillars were set, part of the Merarite charge.
וִיתֵדֹתָ֖םand their pegsconj וְ + N f pl constr/3mp suff · יָתֵד (H3489)Coordinate item of the chargeיָתֵד (H3489) 'peg, pin, stake'; the tent-pegs anchoring the court hangings to the ground (Exod 27:19).
וּמֵֽיתְרֵיהֶֽםand their cordsconj וְ + N m pl constr/3mp suff · מֵיתָר (H4340)Coordinate item of the charge, closing the verseמֵיתָר (H4340) 'cord', echoing v. 26's Gershonite cords — here the guy-ropes for the court's own pillars, completing Merari's charge over every rigid and semi-rigid element of the sanctuary's perimeter.
38

וְהַחֹנִ֣ים לִפְנֵ֣י הַמִּשְׁכָּ֡ן קֵ֣דְמָה לִפְנֵי֩ אֹֽהֶל מוֹעֵ֨ד מִזְרָ֜חָה מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְאַהֲרֹ֣ן וּבָנָ֗יו שֹֽׁמְרִים֙ מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת הַמִּקְדָּ֔שׁ לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְהַזָּ֥ר הַקָּרֵ֖ב יוּמָֽת

And those who camp before the tabernacle to the east, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, were Moses and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary as the charge of the sons of Israel; and the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.

Camp-position and duty notice for Moses, Aaron, and sons, closing the four-camp arrangementוְ
The east side, facing the tabernacle's entrance, is the position of highest honor, reserved for Moses, Aaron, and the priestly sons; the verbatim repetition of the death-sanction from v. 10 forms an inclusio around the chapter's central legal section and shows that even Moses' own family is bound by the same boundary that protects the priesthood.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְהַחֹנִ֣יםAnd those who campconj וְ + art + Qal act ptc m pl abs · חָנָה (H2583)Subject of the verbless clause (substantival participle)→ Participial: those characteristically encamped in this positionחָנָה (H2583), active participle used substantively; unlike the finite יַחֲנוּ used for the other three clans (vv. 23, 29, 35), the participle presents Moses and Aaron's position almost as a permanent state.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N common pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of' — a locative idiom marking proximity to the person or place named.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֡ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Object of the prepositionמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place, tabernacle', from שָׁכַן 'to dwell'; object of the preposition, locating a clan's camp or duties relative to the sanctuary structure.
קֵ֣דְמָהeastwardN m sg abs/directional ה · קֶדֶם (H6924)Adverbial accusative of directionקֶדֶם (H6924) 'east, front, ancient time'; with directional ה, קֵדְמָה 'eastward' — the position of highest honor, facing the tabernacle's own entrance.
לִפְנֵי֩beforeprep לְ + N common pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (resumed)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי resumed a second time, specifying the tent of meeting as well as the tabernacle proper.
אֹֽהֶלthe tent ofN m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Object of the preposition (head of construct chain)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; object of the preposition, naming the second locus (alongside the tabernacle) that Moses, Aaron, and his sons camp before.
מוֹעֵ֨דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive of the construct chainמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time, meeting'; construct in אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד 'tent of meeting', the Priestly designation for the tabernacle as the site of appointed divine-human meeting.
מִזְרָ֜חָהtoward the sunriseN m sg abs/directional ה · מִזְרָח (H4217)Adverbial accusative of direction (resumptive)מִזְרָח (H4217) 'sunrise, east', from זָרַח 'to rise (of the sun)'; a second, synonymous directional term reinforcing קֵדְמָה — the doubling underscores the honor of this position.
מֹשֶׁ֣הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject in apposition (the ones camping)מֹשֶׁה (H4872); named first among those camping in the place of highest honor, facing the tabernacle's entrance.
וְאַהֲרֹ֣ןand Aaronconj וְ + N proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Coordinate subject in appositionאַהֲרֹן (H175); coordinate subject with Moses, camping to the east in the position of honor.
וּבָנָ֗יוand his sonsconj וְ + N m pl constr/3ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate subject in appositionבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; with 3ms suffix, Aaron's priestly sons, coordinate with Moses and Aaron in the eastern camp.
שֹֽׁמְרִים֙keepingQal act ptc m pl abs · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate participle describing the function of Moses, Aaron, and sons→ Participial: an ongoing, characterizing guard-roleשָׁמַר (H8104); unlike the Levites, who guard on the community's behalf (vv. 7-8), Moses and Aaron's family guard the sanctuary's innermost charge in person, at its very entrance.
מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶתthe charge ofN f sg constr · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Direct object of שֹׁמְרִים (head of construct chain)מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) 'guard-duty, charge'; the priestly charge on behalf of the Israelites, distinct from the Levites' custodial charge over the structure itself.
הַמִּקְדָּ֔שׁthe sanctuaryart + N m sg abs · מִקְדָּשׁ (H4720)Genitive of the construct chainמִקְדָּשׁ (H4720) 'sanctuary, holy place', from קָדַשׁ; a synonym for מִשְׁכָּן/אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד emphasizing the site's holiness rather than its structure.
לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶתas the charge ofprep לְ + N f sg constr · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Adverbial prepositional phrase (purpose/on behalf of)The third occurrence of מִשְׁמֶרֶת in the verse: Moses and Aaron's household guard the sanctuary itself as a service performed on behalf of, and in place of, the whole nation.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי, 'sons of', regularly introduces a genealogical or tribal list.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation descended from Jacob; here in construct after 'sons of', the standard collective designation for the whole people.
וְהַזָּ֥רand the outsiderconj וְ + art + adj m sg abs · זָר (H2114)Subject of the passive verbal clauseזָר (H2114) 'strange, foreign, unauthorized'; substantivized, 'the outsider' — anyone, Levite or Israelite, who encroaches on priestly function (cf. v. 10).
הַקָּרֵ֖בwho comes nearart + Qal act ptc m sg abs · קָרַב (H7126)Attributive participle modifying הַזָּר→ Participial: a characterizing, potential act — anyone who approachesThe clause וְהַזָּר הַקָּרֵב יוּמָת repeats v. 10 verbatim, bracketing the chapter's central section (vv. 10-38) with the same lethal boundary-marker.
יוּמָֽתshall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, passive)→ Imperfective/passive: a standing legal sanctionמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; Hophal, 'be caused to die' — the death-penalty sanction repeated verbatim from v. 10, guarding the priesthood's exclusivity.
39

כָּל פְּקוּדֵ֨י הַלְוִיִּ֜ם אֲשֶׁר֩ פָּקַ֨ד מֹשֶׁ֧ה וְׄאַׄהֲׄרֹ֛ׄןׄ עַל פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם כָּל זָכָר֙ מִבֶּן חֹ֣דֶשׁ וָמַ֔עְלָה שְׁנַ֥יִם וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים אָֽלֶף

All the counted ones of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the command of YHWH, by their families, every male from a month old and upward: twenty-two thousand.

Grand total for all Levites, closing the census sectionasyndeton
The Masoretic puncta extraordinaria over וְאַהֲרֹן (dots above every letter) flag ancient scribal unease about Aaron's inclusion in the subject of פָּקַד; more strikingly, the stated total of 22,000 is 300 short of the sum of vv. 22, 28, 34 (22,300) — one of the Pentateuch's best-known arithmetic cruxes, addressed further in this chapter's text_note.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
כָּלAllN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs פְּקוּדֵי)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct opening the summary total, 'all the numbered/mustered of the Levites'.
פְּקוּדֵ֨יthe counted ones ofQal pass ptc m pl constr · פָּקַד (H6485)Subject of the implied verbless clause (head of construct chain)→ Stative/passive: the grand total of all previously-counted individualsפָּקוּד (H6485), resuming the census idiom a final time to total all three clans together (cf. vv. 22, 28, 34).
הַלְוִיִּ֜םthe Levitesart + N gentilic m pl abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Genitive of the construct chainלֵוִי (H3881), gentilic 'Levite(s)', from the patriarch לֵוִי (H3878); the tribe set apart for sanctuary service in place of Israel's firstborn.
אֲשֶׁר֩whomrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the compliance clause
פָּקַ֨דnumberedQal perf 3ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, official act of census-takingפָּקַד (H6485), singular verb though the compound subject 'Moses and Aaron' follows — a common Hebrew agreement pattern with the nearer/leading subject.
מֹשֶׁ֧הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of פָּקַדמֹשֶׁה (H4872); subject of פָּקַד, the one who carried out the census (note the puncta extraordinaria over 'and Aaron' in this verse, per the chapter's text-note).
וְׄאַׄהֲׄרֹ֛ׄןׄand Aaronconj וְ + N proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Coordinate subject of פָּקַדאַהֲרֹן is marked in the MT with extraordinary points (puncta extraordinaria) over every letter — one of ten such passages in the Torah flagged by the Masoretes as textually suspect; tradition took the dots to signal that Aaron did not literally join in this count, since he is not elsewhere said to conduct a census (contrast v. 16, Moses alone).
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Idiomatic prepositional phrase of authority
פִּ֥יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of the preposition (head of idiom עַל־פִּי)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; עַל־פִּי יְהוָה, 'according to the mouth of YHWH', an idiom for 'at YHWH's command', stressing verbatim compliance.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive of the construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); here in a construct/genitive relation (e.g. 'the mouth of YHWH'), stressing that Moses' actions follow the divine word exactly.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑םby their familiesprep לְ + N f pl constr/3mp suff · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phrase (distributive)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan'; the sub-tribal unit by which the Levites, like all Israel, are organized and counted.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs זָכָר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before זָכָר, 'every male' — the recurring census criterion of this chapter.
זָכָר֙maleadj m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Genitive of the construct chainזָכָר (H2145) 'male'; specifies that only males are counted, consistent with the tribal/military-style reckoning of Numbers.
מִבֶּןfrom a monthprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Temporal prepositional phrase (age formula)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; part of the fixed age-idiom מִבֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ, literally 'from a son of a month' = 'from a month old', the minimum age set for this census.
חֹ֣דֶשׁoldN m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive completing the age formulaחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'new moon, month'; completes the age-idiom בֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ וָמַעְלָה, 'a month old and up', the threshold for counting males.
וָמַ֔עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv/directional ה · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial extension of the age formula (open-ended)
שְׁנַ֥יִםtwonumeral common dual abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral (with וְעֶשְׂרִים forming 'twenty-two')שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'.
וְעֶשְׂרִ֖יםand twentyconj וְ + numeral common pl abs · עֶשְׂרִים (H6242)Coordinate numeralעֶשְׂרִים (H6242) 'twenty'; שְׁנַיִם וְעֶשְׂרִים 'twenty-two'.
אָֽלֶףthousandnumeral common sg abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Genitive completing the numeral, closing the verseThe grand Levite total, 22,000 — famously less than the sum of the three clan totals just given (7,500 + 8,600 + 6,200 = 22,300), a 300-person discrepancy long debated by commentators; see the chapter's text_note.
40

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֗ה פְּקֹ֨ד כָּל בְּכֹ֤ר זָכָר֙ לִבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִבֶּן חֹ֖דֶשׁ וָמָ֑עְלָה וְשָׂ֕א אֵ֖ת מִסְפַּ֥ר שְׁמֹתָֽם

And YHWH said to Moses: Number every firstborn male of the sons of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.

New command opening the firstborn census, to be compared against v. 39's Levite totalוְ
This command initiates the arithmetic heart of the chapter: Israel's firstborn males will be counted (v. 43: 22,273) and set directly against the Levite total (v. 39: 22,000), the surplus of 273 redeemed by silver (vv. 46-51).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרAnd saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (speech-formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, introducing direct divine speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; a fresh speech-formula (varying from וַיְדַבֵּר) opens the section comparing Levites to Israel's firstborn.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068); subject of וַיֹּאמֶר, opening a new command paralleling the Levite census — now for Israel's firstborn.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addressee
מֹשֶׁ֗הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's mediator and lawgiver; here the addressee of YHWH's speech, per the recurring 'YHWH spoke to Moses' oracle-formula.
פְּקֹ֨דNumberQal impv 2ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb, imperative (main clause of the command)→ Volitional: a direct command opening the firstborn censusפָּקַד (H6485); the same census-verb now redirected to Israel's firstborn, setting up the comparison with the Levite total of v. 39.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs בְּכֹר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before בְּכוֹר, 'every firstborn' — the parallel census criterion for Israel's firstborn males.
בְּכֹ֤רfirstbornN m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Genitive of the construct chain (head of a further construct pair)בְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; head of a further construct chain, 'every firstborn male', the object of the parallel census of Israel proper.
זָכָר֙maleadj m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Apposition to בְּכֹר, specifying sexזָכָר (H2145) 'male'; in apposition to בְּכוֹר, specifying sex as in the Levite census criterion.
לִבְנֵ֣יof the sons ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Adverbial prepositional phrase (possessive)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct with לְ, 'belonging to the sons of Israel' — the population being counted.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation descended from Jacob; here in construct after 'sons of', the standard collective designation for the whole people.
מִבֶּןfrom a monthprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Temporal prepositional phrase (age formula)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; part of the fixed age-idiom מִבֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ, literally 'from a son of a month' = 'from a month old', the minimum age set for this census.
חֹ֖דֶשׁoldN m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive completing the age formulaחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'new moon, month'; completes the age-idiom בֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ וָמַעְלָה, 'a month old and up', the threshold for counting males.
וָמָ֑עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv/directional ה · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial extension of the age formula (open-ended)
וְשָׂ֕אand takeconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb, imperative continuing the command→ Volitional: a second, coordinate commandנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, take'; נָשָׂא מִסְפָּר 'to take a number/count' is an idiom for conducting a census (cf. 1:2).
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מִסְפַּ֥רthe number ofN m sg constr · מִסְפָּר (H4557)Direct object of וְשָׂא (head of construct chain)מִסְפָּר (H4557) 'number, count'; direct object of וְשָׂא, 'take/lift the number of', the census formula.
שְׁמֹתָֽםtheir namesN m pl constr/3mp suff · שֵׁם (H8034)Genitive of the construct chain, closing the verseThe census counts named individuals, not an abstract sum — each firstborn male enumerated by name in principle, paralleling the Levite roll (cf. v. 15).
41

וְלָקַחְתָּ֨ אֶת הַלְוִיִּ֥ם לִי֙ אֲנִ֣י יְהוָ֔ה תַּ֥חַת כָּל בְּכֹ֖ר בִּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְאֵת֙ בֶּהֱמַ֣ת הַלְוִיִּ֔ם תַּ֣חַת כָּל בְּכ֔וֹר בְּבֶהֱמַ֖ת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

And you shall take the Levites for me — I am YHWH — instead of every firstborn among the sons of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of every firstborn among the livestock of the sons of Israel.

Command extending the substitution principle to livestockוְ
The substitution logic of v. 12 is now doubled: Levites for human firstborn, and Levite livestock for animal firstborn — a comprehensive redemption covering both categories named in v. 13's merism 'from man to beast'.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְלָקַחְתָּ֨And you shall takeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the command sequence→ Weqatal: the mandated act of taking, echoing YHWH's own performative act in v. 12לָקַח (H3947), echoing YHWH's own לָקַחְתִּי in v. 12 — Moses now enacts institutionally what YHWH declared.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַלְוִיִּ֥םthe Levitesart + N gentilic m pl abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Direct object of וְלָקַחְתָּלֵוִי (H3881), gentilic 'Levite(s)'; direct object of וְלָקַחְתָּ, 'you shall take' — the command to formally substitute the Levites for Israel's firstborn.
לִי֙for meprep לְ/1cs suffDative complement (YHWH as beneficiary)The preposition לְ with 1cs suffix, לִי 'for me'; dative complement marking YHWH as the beneficiary of the substitution — 'take the Levites for me'.
אֲנִ֣יI amindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the parenthetical self-identificationThe parenthetical אֲנִי יְהוָה interrupts the command mid-clause, echoing v. 13's closing formula and reasserting YHWH's authority over the transaction.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative, self-identification formulaיְהוָה (H3068); predicate nominative in the self-identification formula אֲנִי יְהוָה, sealing the substitution command.
תַּ֥חַתinstead ofprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Substitutionary prepositional phrase
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs בְּכֹר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before בְּכוֹר, 'every firstborn' — the parallel census criterion for Israel's firstborn males.
בְּכֹ֖רfirstbornN m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Genitive of the construct chainבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn', from the root בכר; the male child whose consecration to YHWH (Exod 13:2) is here transferred to the Levites as a class.
בִּבְנֵ֣יamong the sons ofprep בְּ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Locative prepositional phraseבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי in the phrase 'among/of the sons of Israel', i.e. the Israelite population at large.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation descended from Jacob; here in construct after 'sons of', the standard collective designation for the whole people.
וְאֵת֙and [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker
בֶּהֱמַ֣תthe livestock ofN f sg constr · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Coordinate direct object (head of construct chain)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'livestock, beast'; extending the substitution principle to animals — the Levites' own herds stand in for Israel's firstborn animals, just as the Levites themselves stand in for Israel's firstborn sons (cf. v. 45).
הַלְוִיִּ֔םthe Levitesart + N gentilic m pl abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Genitive of the construct chainלֵוִי (H3881), gentilic 'Levite(s)', from the patriarch לֵוִי (H3878); the tribe set apart for sanctuary service in place of Israel's firstborn.
תַּ֣חַתinstead ofprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Substitutionary prepositional phrase (second instance)
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs בְּכוֹר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before a singular noun yields distributive force, 'every one of' — here governing the firstborn census.
בְּכ֔וֹרfirstbornN m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Genitive of the construct chainבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn', from the root בכר; the male child whose consecration to YHWH (Exod 13:2) is here transferred to the Levites as a class.
בְּבֶהֱמַ֖תamong the livestock ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Locative prepositional phraseבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'livestock, beast'; extends the substitution principle to animals — Levite livestock for Israelite firstborn livestock.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי, 'sons of', regularly introduces a genealogical or tribal list.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chain, closing the verseThe animal substitution closes the verse — a detail with no further arithmetic worked out in this chapter (unlike the human census of vv. 42-51), since livestock numbers are not fixed or symmetrical in the same way.
42

וַיִּפְקֹ֣ד מֹשֶׁ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֹת֑וֹ אֶֽת כָּל בְּכֹ֖ר בִּבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

So Moses numbered, as YHWH commanded him, all the firstborn among the sons of Israel.

Wayyiqtol compliance report for the firstborn censusוְ
This brief obedience-notice mirrors v. 16 exactly in structure, confirming Moses executed the firstborn census (v. 40) precisely as instructed before the actual total is given in v. 43.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּפְקֹ֣דSo he numberedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (compliance report)→ Wayyiqtol: the narrated execution of the command just givenפָּקַד (H6485); Moses' compliance echoes the pattern of v. 16.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיִּפְקֹדמֹשֶׁה (H4872); subject of פָּקַד 'to number, muster', executing YHWH's census command.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛רasprep כְּ + rel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the manner clause
צִוָּ֥הhe commandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Perfective: the prior, authoritative command now fulfilledצִוָּה (H6680), active Piel here (contrast the passive Pual of v. 16), naming YHWH explicitly as the one who commanded.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068); subject of צִוָּה 'to command', the ultimate source of the instruction Moses carries out.
אֹת֑וֹhimobj marker/3ms suff · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (Moses)
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs בְּכֹר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before בְּכוֹר, 'every firstborn' — the parallel census criterion for Israel's firstborn males.
בְּכֹ֖רfirstbornN m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Direct object of וַיִּפְקֹדבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; direct object of וַיִּפְקֹד, 'and he numbered' — Moses' compliance with YHWH's command to count Israel's firstborn.
בִּבְנֵ֥יamong the sons ofprep בְּ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Locative prepositional phraseבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי in the phrase 'among/of the sons of Israel', i.e. the Israelite population at large.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chain, closing the verseThe compliance notice for the firstborn census parallels v. 16's Levite compliance notice — both censuses now stand ready for the comparison worked out in vv. 43-51.
43

וַיְהִי֩ כָל בְּכ֨וֹר זָכָ֜ר בְּמִסְפַּ֥ר שֵׁמ֛וֹת מִבֶּן חֹ֥דֶשׁ וָמַ֖עְלָה לִפְקֻדֵיהֶ֑ם שְׁנַ֤יִם וְעֶשְׂרִים֙ אֶ֔לֶף שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה וְשִׁבְעִ֖ים וּמָאתָֽיִם

And all the firstborn males, in the number of names, from a month old and upward, according to their counted total, were twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three.

Final total for Israel's firstborn, setting up the redemption arithmeticוְ
The firstborn total, 22,273, exceeds the Levite total of v. 39 (22,000) by exactly 273 — the surplus redeemed by silver rather than by a living substitute (vv. 46-51). For a nation of some 600,000+ adult males (1:46), so small a firstborn count is itself a demographic puzzle, addressed in this chapter's text_note.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיְהִי֩And wereconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative transition to the final tallyהָיָה (H1961); introduces the resulting total as narrated fact, here for the whole nation's firstborn.
כָלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs בְּכוֹר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before a singular noun yields distributive force, 'every one of' — here governing the firstborn census.
בְּכ֨וֹרfirstbornN m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Subject of וַיְהִי (head of construct chain)בְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; subject of וַיְהִי, head of the construct chain giving the resulting total.
זָכָ֜רmaleadj m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Apposition to בְּכוֹרזָכָר (H2145) 'male'; in apposition to בְּכוֹר, matching the census criterion.
בְּמִסְפַּ֥רin the number ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִסְפָּר (H4557)Adverbial prepositional phrase specifying scopeמִסְפָּר (H4557) 'number, count'; introduces the specific census figure for a clan or sub-group.
שֵׁמ֛וֹתnamesN m pl abs · שֵׁם (H8034)Genitive of the construct chainשֵׁם (H8034) 'name', plural absolute here (not construct as in v. 40) — emphasizing that each firstborn was individually named and registered.
מִבֶּןfrom a monthprep מִן + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Temporal prepositional phrase (age formula)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; part of the fixed age-idiom מִבֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ, literally 'from a son of a month' = 'from a month old', the minimum age set for this census.
חֹ֥דֶשׁoldN m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive completing the age formulaחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'new moon, month'; completes the age-idiom בֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ וָמַעְלָה, 'a month old and up', the threshold for counting males.
וָמַ֖עְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adv/directional ה · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial extension of the age formula (open-ended)
לִפְקֻדֵיהֶ֑םaccording to their counted totalprep לְ + Qal pass ptc m pl constr/3mp suff · פָּקַד (H6485)Adverbial prepositional phrase (standard of reckoning)→ Stative/passive: the fixed tally as countedפָּקוּד (H6485) once more, now with לְ 'according to' — introducing the precise numeral that follows.
שְׁנַ֤יִםtwonumeral common dual abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral (with וְעֶשְׂרִים, forming 'twenty-two')שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; dual numeral combining with 'twenty' to give '22', the tens-digit of the firstborn total 22,273.
וְעֶשְׂרִים֙and twentyconj וְ + numeral common pl abs · עֶשְׂרִים (H6242)Coordinate numeralעֶשְׂרִים (H6242) 'twenty'; coordinate with שְׁנַיִם forming 'twenty-two', part of the total 22,273.
אֶ֔לֶףthousandnumeral common sg abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Genitive of the construct chainאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; the thousands unit of the firstborn total, 22,273 — poised for comparison with the Levite total of 22,000 (v. 39).
שְׁלֹשָׁ֥הthreenumeral m sg abs · שְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969)Numeral (with וְשִׁבְעִים, forming 'seventy-three')שְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969) 'three'.
וְשִׁבְעִ֖יםand seventyconj וְ + numeral common pl abs · שִׁבְעִים (H7657)Coordinate numeralשִׁבְעִים (H7657) 'seventy'; שְׁלֹשָׁה וְשִׁבְעִים 'seventy-three'.
וּמָאתָֽיִםand two hundredconj וְ + numeral common dual abs · מָאתַיִם (H3967)Coordinate numeral, closing the verseמָאתַיִם 'two hundred'; the full firstborn total, 22,273 — exactly 273 more than the Levite total of v. 39 (22,000), the surplus redeemed by silver in vv. 46-51.
44

וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר

And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying:

Speech-formula introducing the chapter's final oracleוְ
The last messenger formula in the chapter (cf. vv. 5, 11, 14) introduces the concluding command: complete the Levite-for-firstborn substitution and redeem the 273-person surplus with silver.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רAnd spokeconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (speech-formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, introducing the chapter's final oracleדִּבֶּר (H1696), Piel of דבר 'to speak'; the messenger formula recurs a final time (cf. vv. 5, 11, 14), introducing the redemption-money instructions.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; subject of the recurring speech-formula that introduces each new oracle in this chapter.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addressee
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's mediator and lawgiver; here the addressee of YHWH's speech, per the recurring 'YHWH spoke to Moses' oracle-formula.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive introducing direct discourse (quotative frame)→ Infinitival: opens the quoted speech that followsאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; opens the final oracle of the chapter, the redemption-money instructions of vv. 45-51.
45

קַ֣ח אֶת הַלְוִיִּ֗ם תַּ֤חַת כָּל בְּכוֹר֙ בִּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאֶת בֶּהֱמַ֥ת הַלְוִיִּ֖ם תַּ֣חַת בְּהֶמְתָּ֑ם וְהָיוּ לִ֥י הַלְוִיִּ֖ם אֲנִ֥י יְהוָֽה

Take the Levites instead of every firstborn among the sons of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock; and the Levites shall be mine — I am YHWH.

Imperative restating and finalizing the substitution commandasyndeton
This verse condenses vv. 12 and 41 into a direct imperative, the last full statement of the substitution principle before the chapter turns to the arithmetic of the 273-person surplus and its silver redemption (vv. 46-51).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
קַ֣חTakeQal impv 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb, imperative (main clause of the command)→ Volitional: a direct command finalizing the substitutionלָקַח (H3947), imperative here, restating v. 41's weqatal as a direct command — the actual execution of the substitution now follows.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַלְוִיִּ֗םthe Levitesart + N gentilic m pl abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Direct object of קַחלֵוִי (H3881), gentilic 'Levite(s)'; direct object of קַח, the imperative renewing the command to take the Levites in Israel's place.
תַּ֤חַתinstead ofprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Substitutionary prepositional phrase
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct, governs בְּכוֹר)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before a singular noun yields distributive force, 'every one of' — here governing the firstborn census.
בְּכוֹר֙firstbornN m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Genitive of the construct chainבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn', from the root בכר; the male child whose consecration to YHWH (Exod 13:2) is here transferred to the Levites as a class.
בִּבְנֵ֣יamong the sons ofprep בְּ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Locative prepositional phraseבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי in the phrase 'among/of the sons of Israel', i.e. the Israelite population at large.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation descended from Jacob; here in construct after 'sons of', the standard collective designation for the whole people.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker
בֶּהֱמַ֥תthe livestock ofN f sg constr · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Coordinate direct object (head of construct chain)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'livestock, beast'; coordinate direct object, extending the substitution to animals.
הַלְוִיִּ֖םthe Levitesart + N gentilic m pl abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Genitive of the construct chainלֵוִי (H3881), gentilic 'Levite(s)', from the patriarch לֵוִי (H3878); the tribe set apart for sanctuary service in place of Israel's firstborn.
תַּ֣חַתinstead ofprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Substitutionary prepositional phrase (second instance)
בְּהֶמְתָּ֑םtheir livestockN f sg constr/3mp suff · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Object of the preposition, closing the animal clauseבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'livestock, beast'; with 3mp suffix, closing the parallel clause — Levite livestock replaces Israelite firstborn livestock.
וְהָיוּand they shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, weqatal stating the resulting status→ Weqatal: the settled legal consequenceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; weqatal stating the resulting legal status — the Levites becoming YHWH's own in place of the firstborn.
לִ֥יmineprep לְ/1cs suffPredicate of possessionThe preposition לְ with 1cs suffix, לִי 'to me, mine'; expresses YHWH's possessive claim — 'they shall be mine' — over the Levites (and the firstborn) as a class.
הַלְוִיִּ֖םthe Levitesart + N gentilic m pl abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Subject of וְהָיוּלֵוִי (H3881), gentilic 'Levite(s)'; subject of וְהָיוּ, restating that the Levites shall be YHWH's.
אֲנִ֥יI amindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the closing self-identification formulaאֲנִי (H589), 1cs independent pronoun; the emphatic self-identification formula אֲנִי יְהוָה, 'I am YHWH', seals the preceding legal claim with divine authority.
יְהוָֽהYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative, self-identification formula, closing the commandThe verse restates vv. 12 and 41 almost verbatim as direct imperative — the chapter's substitution logic now ready for its arithmetic conclusion (vv. 46-51).
46

וְאֵת֙ פְּדוּיֵ֣י הַשְּׁלֹשָׁ֔ה וְהַשִּׁבְעִ֖ים וְהַמָּאתָ֑יִם הָעֹֽדְפִים֙ עַל הַלְוִיִּ֔ם מִבְּכ֖וֹר בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

And as for the two hundred seventy-three redeemed ones who are surplus over the Levites, from the firstborn of the sons of Israel —

Identifying the 273-person surplus requiring silver redemptionוְ
This verse names the arithmetic remainder (273 = 22,273 firstborn minus 22,000 Levites) that cannot be covered by a living Levite substitute and so requires the redemption-money prescribed in vv. 47-51.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאֵת֙And [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, resuming the command sequenceThe object is fronted, picking up an implied verb of taking/redeeming from the imperative sequence; the clause specifies exactly who must be redeemed with silver — the 273-person remainder.
פְּדוּיֵ֣יthe redemption ofN m pl constr · פָּדוּי (H6302)Direct object (head of construct chain)פָּדוּי (H6302), passive participle/noun from פָּדָה 'to redeem, ransom'; 'the redeemed/redemption-money of' — those requiring monetary ransom because no Levite is available to stand in for them.
הַשְּׁלֹשָׁ֔הthe threeart + numeral m sg abs · שְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969)Genitive of the construct chain (numeral, first component)שְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969) 'three'; first component of the numeral '273', the surplus firstborn exceeding the Levite headcount.
וְהַשִּׁבְעִ֖יםand the seventyconj וְ + art + numeral common pl abs · שִׁבְעִים (H7657)Coordinate numeral (second component)שִׁבְעִים (H7657) 'seventy'; second component of the numeral, coordinate with 'three' and (implicitly) 'two hundred', giving 273.
וְהַמָּאתָ֑יִםand the two hundredconj וְ + art + numeral common dual abs · מָאתַיִם (H3967)Coordinate numeral (third component), together '273'The numerals, though written out of ascending order (three, seventy, two hundred = 273), match v. 43's firstborn-total remainder exactly: 22,273 minus 22,000 Levites.
הָעֹֽדְפִים֙who are surplusart + Qal act ptc m pl abs · עָדַף (H5736)Attributive participle modifying the numeral phrase→ Participial: those characteristically exceeding the matched totalעָדַף (H5736) 'to remain over, be in excess'; the technical term for the arithmetic remainder driving the redemption requirement.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Comparative prepositional phrase
הַלְוִיִּ֔םthe Levitesart + N gentilic m pl abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Object of the prepositionלֵוִי (H3881), gentilic 'Levite(s)'; object of the preposition, the group against which the firstborn surplus is measured.
מִבְּכ֖וֹרfrom the firstborn ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Source prepositional phraseבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; source phrase, 'from/beyond the firstborn of Israel' — the 273 who exceed the Levite count and must be redeemed.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי, 'sons of', regularly introduces a genealogical or tribal list.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chain, closing the verseThe verse identifies precisely who needs monetary redemption: the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the 22,000 available Levites, one-to-one substitution having been exhausted.
47

וְלָקַחְתָּ֗ חֲמֵ֧שֶׁת חֲמֵ֛שֶׁת שְׁקָלִ֖ים לַגֻּלְגֹּ֑לֶת בְּשֶׁ֤קֶל הַקֹּ֨דֶשׁ֙ תִּקָּ֔ח עֶשְׂרִ֥ים גֵּרָ֖ה הַשָּֽׁקֶל

You shall take five shekels apiece, according to the sanctuary shekel you shall take it — twenty gerahs is the shekel.

Prescribing the fixed redemption priceוְ
Five shekels per surplus firstborn, reckoned by the official sanctuary standard (twenty gerahs to the shekel, verbatim from Exod 30:13), fixes the exact redemption sum: 273 x 5 = 1,365 shekels, the total collected in v. 50.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְלָקַחְתָּ֗And you shall takeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the command sequence→ Weqatal: the mandated act of collecting redemption moneyלָקַח (H3947); the same verb used throughout the chapter for taking the Levites now governs the collection of silver instead.
חֲמֵ֧שֶׁתfivenumeral m sg constr · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Numeral (doubled for distributive sense, first)חָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'.
חֲמֵ֛שֶׁתfivenumeral m sg constr · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Numeral (doubled for distributive sense, second)The doubling חֲמֵשֶׁת חֲמֵשֶׁת ('five, five') is a distributive idiom, 'five apiece' — the fixed redemption price per person (cf. Lev 27:6).
שְׁקָלִ֖יםshekelsN m pl abs · שֶׁקֶל (H8255)Genitive completing the numeralשֶׁקֶל (H8255) 'shekel', a unit of weight (and by extension, silver currency).
לַגֻּלְגֹּ֑לֶתper headprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · גֻּלְגֹּלֶת (H1538)Distributive prepositional phraseגֻּלְגֹּלֶת (H1538) 'skull, head'; לַגֻּלְגֹּלֶת 'per head/poll' — the same idiom used for the census-tax of Exod 30:12-13, marking this as parallel to the atonement-money there.
בְּשֶׁ֤קֶלaccording to the shekel ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · שֶׁקֶל (H8255)Adverbial prepositional phrase (standard)שֶׁקֶל (H8255) 'shekel', a weight-standard of silver; שֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ, 'the sanctuary shekel', fixes the redemption price to an authoritative standard weight.
הַקֹּ֨דֶשׁ֙the sanctuaryart + N m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Genitive of the construct chainקֹדֶשׁ (H6944) here specifies the official weight-standard — the 'sanctuary shekel', distinct from any lighter common-use standard, fixed at twenty gerahs (cf. Exod 30:13).
תִּקָּ֔חyou shall takeQal impf 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (resumptive, main clause)→ Imperfective: the mandated, standard-governed act of collectionלָקַח (H3947) resumed a third time in the verse, underscoring the precision required in weighing the silver.
עֶשְׂרִ֥יםtwentynumeral common pl abs · עֶשְׂרִים (H6242)Numeral (predicate of the closing definitional clause)עֶשְׂרִים (H6242) 'twenty'; states the sanctuary shekel's weight-standard, twenty gerahs (cf. Exod 30:13), fixing the redemption price.
גֵּרָ֖הgerahsN f sg abs · גֵּרָה (H1626)Genitive of the numeral (unit of measure)גֵּרָה (H1626), the smallest weight-unit, roughly 0.6 grams; twenty gerahs define one sanctuary shekel.
הַשָּֽׁקֶלthe shekelart + N m sg abs · שֶׁקֶל (H8255)Subject of the closing definitional (verbless) clauseThe closing formula 'twenty gerahs is the shekel' repeats Exod 30:13 verbatim, anchoring this redemption price to the same fixed weight-standard used for the wilderness census atonement-money.
48

וְנָתַתָּ֣ה הַכֶּ֔סֶף לְאַהֲרֹ֖ן וּלְבָנָ֑יו פְּדוּיֵ֕י הָעֹדְפִ֖ים בָּהֶֽם

And you shall give the silver to Aaron and to his sons, the redemption money of those who are surplus among them.

Disbursement instruction, directing the redemption silver to the priesthoodוְ
The collected silver becomes priestly income, tangibly linking the census arithmetic to the material support of Aaron's house — the same logic underlying priestly portions elsewhere in the Torah (cf. 18:15-16, which restates this law for ordinary firstborn redemption).
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְנָתַתָּ֣הAnd you shall giveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the command sequence→ Weqatal: the final disbursement completing the redemption transactionנָתַן (H5414); the collected silver is now handed over, completing the transaction begun with לָקַח in v. 47.
הַכֶּ֔סֶףthe silverart + N m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct object of וְנָתַתָּהכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver'; the redemption-money collected per v. 47's fixed price, now designated priestly income.
לְאַהֲרֹ֖ןto Aaronprep לְ + N proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Indirect object (recipient)אַהֲרֹן (H175), Israel's first high priest; here as indirect object/recipient — of the Levites given to serve him, or of the redemption silver collected from the firstborn.
וּלְבָנָ֑יוand to his sonsconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr/3ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate indirect objectThe redemption silver becomes priestly revenue, paralleling other sacred dues (cf. Lev 27; Num 18) — material benefit to Aaron's house arising directly from the firstborn-Levite exchange.
פְּדוּיֵ֕יthe redemption money ofN m pl constr · פָּדוּי (H6302)Apposition, specifying the nature of the silver (head of construct chain)פָּדוּי (H6302) 'ransom price, redemption money', from פָּדָה 'to redeem'; specifies the silver collected as the price paying off the 273 surplus firstborn.
הָעֹדְפִ֖יםthose who are surplusart + Qal act ptc m pl abs · עָדַף (H5736)Genitive of the construct chain (substantival participle)→ Participial: those characteristically constituting the excessעָדַף (H5736), resuming v. 46's term for the 273-person remainder.
בָּהֶֽםamong themprep בְּ/3mp suffAdverbial complement (locative, referring back to the Levites)The referent 'them' points back to the Levites of v. 46 — the surplus reckoned relative to the Levite total, not to Israel's firstborn as a whole.
49

וַיִּקַּ֣ח מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֵ֖ת כֶּ֣סֶף הַפִּדְי֑וֹם מֵאֵת֙ הָעֹ֣דְפִ֔ים עַ֖ל פְּדוּיֵ֥י הַלְוִיִּֽם

And Moses took the redemption money from those who were surplus, beyond the redeemed of the Levites.

Wayyiqtol compliance report for the silver collectionוְ
This brief narrative notice confirms Moses' execution of vv. 47-48, echoing the compliance formulas of vv. 16 and 42 and preparing for the final tally of the silver collected in v. 50.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיִּקַּ֣חAnd tookconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (compliance report)→ Wayyiqtol: the narrated execution of the redemption-collection commandלָקַח (H3947); Moses' compliance with the command of vv. 47-48, now narrated as accomplished fact.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיִּקַּחמֹשֶׁה (H4872); subject of וַיִּקַּח, 'and he took' — Moses personally collects the redemption silver.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כֶּ֣סֶףthe money ofN m sg constr · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct object (head of construct chain)כֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the redemption price collected from Israel's 273 surplus firstborn.
הַפִּדְי֑וֹםthe redemptionart + N m sg abs · פִּדְיוֹם (H6306)Genitive of the construct chainפִּדְיוֹם (H6306) 'ransom, redemption price', from פָּדָה; כֶּסֶף הַפִּדְיוֹם 'the redemption money' names the transaction precisely, tying back to vv. 46-48's terminology.
מֵאֵת֙fromprep מִן + prep אֵת · (H854)Source prepositional phrase
הָעֹ֣דְפִ֔יםthose who were surplusart + Qal act ptc m pl abs · עָדַף (H5736)Object of the preposition (substantival participle)→ Participial: those characteristically constituting the excessעָדַף (H5736) 'to be surplus, exceed'; substantival participle, 'those who exceeded' — the 273 firstborn beyond the Levite count, requiring redemption.
עַ֖לbeyondprep · עַל (H5921)Comparative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) here comparative, 'beyond, in excess of' — the 273 exceeding the number of Levites available as living substitutes.
פְּדוּיֵ֥יthe redeemed ofN m pl constr · פָּדוּי (H6302)Object of the preposition (head of construct chain)פָּדוּי (H6302) 'ransomed, redeemed'; here designating the redeemed firstborn themselves, object of the preposition.
הַלְוִיִּֽםthe Levitesart + N gentilic m pl abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Genitive of the construct chain, closing the verseThe verse confirms the transaction is complete: Moses personally collects the silver for exactly the 273 firstborn who exceed the Levite headcount — the arithmetic of vv. 39, 43, 46 now enacted.
50

מֵאֵ֗ת בְּכ֛וֹר בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לָקַ֣ח אֶת הַכָּ֑סֶף חֲמִשָּׁ֨ה וְשִׁשִּׁ֜ים וּשְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֛וֹת וָאֶ֖לֶף בְּשֶׁ֥קֶל הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ

From the firstborn of the sons of Israel he took the silver, one thousand three hundred sixty-five, by the sanctuary shekel.

Final sum of the redemption silver, confirming the chapter's arithmeticasyndeton
1,365 shekels = 273 x 5 exactly, the mathematically precise conclusion of the census-and-redemption sequence begun in v. 40; the sanctuary-shekel standard closes the transaction with the same rigor used to open it in v. 47.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
מֵאֵ֗תFromprep מִן + prep אֵת · (H854)Source prepositional phrase
בְּכ֛וֹרthe firstborn ofN m sg constr · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Object of the preposition (head of construct chain)בְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; object of the preposition, specifying whose redemption silver is collected.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct בְּנֵי, 'sons of', regularly introduces a genealogical or tribal list.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation descended from Jacob; here in construct after 'sons of', the standard collective designation for the whole people.
לָקַ֣חhe tookQal perf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of collection, summarized as final reportלָקַח (H3947), a fourth and final occurrence, closing the redemption-collection narrative with the exact sum.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַכָּ֑סֶףthe silverart + N m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct object of לָקַחכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; direct object of לָקַח, the total redemption price now stated as a single sum.
חֲמִשָּׁ֨הfivenumeral m sg abs · חֲמִשָּׁה (H2568)Numeral (with וְשִׁשִּׁים, forming 'sixty-five')חֲמִשָּׁה (H2568) 'five'; first component of the numeral, combining with 'sixty' to give '65', part of the total 1,365 shekels.
וְשִׁשִּׁ֜יםand sixtyconj וְ + numeral common pl abs · שִׁשִּׁים (H8346)Coordinate numeralשִׁשִּׁים (H8346) 'sixty'; חֲמִשָּׁה וְשִׁשִּׁים 'sixty-five'.
וּשְׁלֹ֥שׁand threeconj וְ + numeral f sg abs · שָׁלֹשׁ (H7969)Coordinate numeralשָׁלֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; coordinate numeral, part of 1,365 — a thousand, three hundred, sixty-five shekels.
מֵא֛וֹתhundrednumeral common pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Genitive completing the numeralThe sum 1,365 shekels matches exactly 273 x 5 (v. 47's per-head price), confirming the arithmetic: 22,273 firstborn minus 22,000 Levites equals 273, at 5 shekels each.
וָאֶ֖לֶףand a thousandconj וְ + numeral common sg abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Coordinate numeral, closing the countאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; closes the total, 1,365 shekels of silver collected from the 273 redeemed firstborn.
בְּשֶׁ֥קֶלby the shekel ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · שֶׁקֶל (H8255)Adverbial prepositional phrase (standard)שֶׁקֶל (H8255) 'shekel', a weight-standard of silver; שֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ, 'the sanctuary shekel', fixes the redemption price to an authoritative standard weight.
הַקֹּֽדֶשׁthe sanctuaryart + N m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Genitive of the construct chain, closing the verseThe sanctuary-shekel standard is invoked once more (cf. v. 47), certifying the collected sum's precision and cultic legitimacy.
51

וַיִּתֵּ֨ן מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶת כֶּ֧סֶף הַפְּדֻיִ֛ם לְאַהֲרֹ֥ן וּלְבָנָ֖יו עַל פִּ֣י יְהוָ֑ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֶת מֹשֶֽׁה

And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of YHWH, as YHWH commanded Moses.

Final compliance report closing the entire chapterוְ
The chapter's last verse doubles the obedience-formula (עַל פִּי יְהוָה ... כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה) for maximal emphasis, closing the whole unit — census, assignment, substitution, and redemption — with the same note of exact, complete compliance that closed the Levite census at v. 16 and the firstborn census at v. 42.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיִּתֵּ֨ןAnd gaveconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: the final narrated act completing the chapter's transactionנָתַן (H5414), completing the redemption-money transaction begun with לָקַח in vv. 49-50 — the silver now reaches its priestly recipients.
מֹשֶׁ֜הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיִּתֵּןמֹשֶׁה (H4872); subject of וַיִּתֵּן, 'and he gave' — Moses hands the redemption silver over to Aaron and his sons.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כֶּ֧סֶףthe money ofN m sg constr · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct object (head of construct chain)כֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the redemption price collected from Israel's 273 surplus firstborn.
הַפְּדֻיִ֛םthe redeemed onesart + N m pl abs · פָּדוּי (H6302)Genitive of the construct chainהַפְּדֻיִם, plural here (contrast the singular הַפִּדְיוֹם of v. 49) — 'the redeemed ones', referring concretely to the 273 individuals rather than the abstract transaction.
לְאַהֲרֹ֥ןto Aaronprep לְ + N proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Indirect object (recipient)אַהֲרֹן (H175), Israel's first high priest; here as indirect object/recipient — of the Levites given to serve him, or of the redemption silver collected from the firstborn.
וּלְבָנָ֖יוand to his sonsconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr/3ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate indirect objectThe chapter closes exactly as its central command anticipated (v. 48) — the redemption silver reaching Aaron's house, sealing the Levite-for-firstborn transaction with a concrete material transfer.
עַלaccording toprep · עַל (H5921)Idiomatic prepositional phrase of authority
פִּ֣יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of the preposition (head of idiom עַל־פִּי)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; עַל־פִּי יְהוָה, 'according to the mouth of YHWH', an idiom for 'at YHWH's command', stressing verbatim compliance.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive of the construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); here in a construct/genitive relation (e.g. 'the mouth of YHWH'), stressing that Moses' actions follow the divine word exactly.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛רasprep כְּ + rel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the closing manner clause
צִוָּ֥הhe commandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Perfective: the prior command now fully and finally fulfilledצִוָּה (H6680); the chapter's closing obedience-formula, echoing v. 16 and v. 42 one final time.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068); subject of צִוָּה 'to command', the ultimate source of the instruction Moses carries out.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Direct object of צִוָּה, closing the chapterThe chapter ends where it began — with Moses under YHWH's direct command (v. 1) — but now every census, assignment, and redemption obligation has been carried out in full obedience, 'according to the mouth of YHWH'.