So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel listed all the Levites by their clans and families. All the men between thirty and fifty years of age who were eligible for service in the Tabernacle and for its transportation numbered 8,580. [Numbers 4.46-48]
In getting perspective about some of the numbers discussed in today's reading (following up on yesterday's post), there were 8,580 Levites (age 30-50) to actually do the all work associated with the Tabernacle. There were roughly 22,000 Levites one month old and older at the time of this accounting so, there were some 13,420 Levites who were either too young to work (one month old through 29 years old) or too old to work (ages 51 and above). I suppose we have no way to know the breakdown between the too-young group and the too-old group.
If the Levites' age breakdown is indicative of all Israel, then we might make assumptions about the entire tribe's breakdown if the age distinctions matched, but they do not. The 603,550 number is age 20 years and older. So, we really have no reference point to compare with the Levites because of the age-division differences in the numbers provided.
One thing however that crosses my mind in considering this is that anyone contemporary to Moses' age would only be female. I don't know how many baby boys were exterminated in Pharaoh's selective genocide, but we can be sure there would be a definite age gap concurrent with Moses' age.
One thing is certain, there were a lot of Israelites who left Egypt!
Father, these numbers fascinate me. I don't mean to be distracted by them, but I hope to realize Truth through them. Thank you!
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