And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.
The number counted among them was twenty-three thousand, all males from one month old and up. They were not counted with the rest of the Israelites because they were not given any land inheritance among the people of Israel.
This verse records that 23,000 Levite males were counted separately from the other Israelites because they wouldn't receive land like the other tribes.
📚 Historical Context
This census was taken near the end of Israel's 40 years in the wilderness, just before entering the Promised Land. The Levites were the priestly tribe, set apart for religious duties and temple service. Instead of receiving territorial inheritance like the other tribes, they were supported by tithes and offerings from the people and lived in designated cities throughout Israel.
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