28 In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.

Other Translations of Numbers 3:28

New International Version

28 The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600.Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts "8,300" The Kohathites were responsible for the care of the sanctuary.

English Standard Version

28 According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, there were 8,600, keeping guard over the sanctuary.

The Message

28 All the males who were one month and older numbered 8,600. The Kohathites were in charge of the Sanctuary.

New King James Version

28 According to the number of all the males, from a month old and above, there were eight thousand six hundred keeping charge of the sanctuary.

New Living Translation

28 There were 8,600 males one month old or older among these Kohathite clans. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary,

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 3:28

Commentary on Numbers 3:14-39

(Read Numbers 3:14-39)

The Levites were in three classes, according to the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; and these were subdivided into families. The posterity of Moses were not at all honoured or privileged, but stood upon the level with other Levites; thus it was plain, that Moses did not seek the advancement of his own family, or to secure any honours to it. The tribe of Levi was by much the least of all the tribes. God's chosen are but a little flock in comparison with the world.