The First Census

In the book of Numbers, chapter 1 deals with the first census.  All tribes were divided by their clan name and then counted.

All men twenty years of age or older, who were fit for military service, were to be included.

All except those from the clan of Levi.  They were put in charge of God's Tent--an early form of secret service or personal bodyguard, so to speak.

In chapter 2, the clans--or tribes--were partnered up in threes (there were twelve, not including the clan of Levi, so there were four groups altogether).

In chapter 3, Aaron's sons were annointed as priests and the Levites were appointed to serve the priests.  This was their only duty.  Then, God ordered the Levites to partake in their own census, enrolling every male one month old and older.  The Levites were divided into three separate clans, and given their own duties--which I will share in the next blog post.