The priestly class

Who said the Levites had authority? A Levite.

Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don’t know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it “really” means.. Let’s see where this takes us!

I’m reading Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Numbers 2

I noticed this in the last chapter, how the Levites were not to be counted. As we know by now, they were designated to be priests. They lived off of the offerings of everyone else, and didn’t need to be counted because they wouldn’t be going to war. It’s as if Moses granted a draft exemption not only for his extended family, but the entire tribe. Then again, they don’t get any land of their own, so why should they have to go to war?

Numbers 3

I wasn’t reading ahead when I wrote the last bit. Okay then: the Levites were to be counted, just for a different reason.

The LORD’s plan had changed. Originally the first-born of sons and the first born of the livestock would be given to the LORD. But NOW the LORD is saying that, instead, all the Levites and all their livestock are to be consecrecrated instead.