Bible Strands
Numbers 4:30
from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work of the Tent of Meeting.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God instructs Moses regarding the sons of Merari during the organization of Levitical duties for the Tent of Meeting. This directive establishes the eligible age range for those assigned to carry the tabernacle's structural components.
The words — The text opens with מִבֶּן (mi./Ben, "from a son of") and closes the age range with חֲמִשִּׁים שָׁנָה (cha.mi.Shim sha.Nah, "fifty years"), framing the precise demographic boundary for service.
The thread — This identical age qualification appears in Numbers 4:3 and Numbers 4:23, marking a consistent standard across the Gershonite, Kohathite, and Merarite divisions.
Why it lands — The text explicitly restricts counted personnel to men between thirty and fifty years old and ties their service directly to the physical labor of the Tent of Meeting. It requires the reader to recognize that divine service assignments are bounded by specific, non-negotiable criteria.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Cross-references
- Numbers 4:3 men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.
- Numbers 4:23 from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.
- Psalms 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
- 1 Timothy 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
- 2 Timothy 2:4 A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
- 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.