New American Standard Bible 1995

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Numbers

4

:

47

from thirty years and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who could enter to do the work of service and the work of carrying in the tent of meeting.

Lexicon

Verse part Definition: Part of speech: Strong's: Hebrew: Transliteration:
from thirty thirty Noun H7970 שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים she·lo·shim
Analysis:

Thirty: Death

The number thirty is understood in Judaism as relating to death. One of the mourning periods is known as a "Shaloshim". This is actually the Hebrew word for 30. The connection between the number 30 and death is seen by the fact that the Children of Israel mourned Aaron for 30 days (see Numbers 20:29). Likewise, when Moses died, the people also mourned him for exactly 30 days (see Deuteronomy 34:8). Another reference to the number 30 relating to death is found in the fact that Joshua took 30,000 men with him to fight Ai the second time (see Joshua 8:3). This time Israel was successful and Ai was put to death. It is significant that the reader is told that 12,000 people died, all the people of Ai (see Joshua 8:25). Here the number 12, as in 12,000, relates to the people, as we learned in our study of the number 12, and the fact that they all died is reflected in the 30,000 (30) soldiers that Joshua took.

In the New Covenant, the reader is told that Judas betrayed Yeshua, delivering Him over to the Jewish leadership to be put to death for 30 pieces of silver (see Matthew 26:15). In the book of Luke, it is revealed that Yeshua was about the age of 30 when He began His ministry. What was the primary aspect of Yeshua's ministry? In other words, what did Yeshua enter into this world to do? The answer is to offer up His life for redemption. Death is the key ingredient in redemption. As one reads, without the shedding of blood (death) there is no redemption.

Loveisrael.org - Baruch Korman, Ph.D. - All Rights Reserved - Used with Permission 2016

years a year Noun H8141 שָׁנָה֙ sha·nah
and upward above, upwards sub H4605 וָמַ֔עְלָה va·ma'·lah,
even to fifty fifty Noun H2572 חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים cha·mi·shim
Analysis:

Fifty: Freedom and liberty

When a person hears the number fifty, the first thing that should enter his mind is Jubilee, for every 50 years was the Jubilee year. In the book of Leviticus the following is read,

"And you shall sanctify the fiftieth year and you shall call (that year) a year of freedom in the Land for all the ones who dwell in it, it shall be a Jubilee for you…." Leviticus 25:10 

The key word in this verse is the Hebrew word, דרור, which means freedom. When one studies the nature of this word for freedom, he will understand the relationship between freedom and the will of God. In other words, the freedom that is provided by HaShem is so that the will of God can be realized in one's life. In connection with this understanding is another occurrence of the number 50.

The Torah speaks of three special festivals which every Jewish male, 20 years and older, must go up to Jerusalem to observe. These festivals are Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Tabernacles. The Feast of Weeks derives its name from the fact that HaShem commanded the Children of Israel to count seven weeks and the next day would be the Holy Day. However, during this time, not only were the Children of Israel commanded to count seven weeks, but also 50 days. Hence, an additional name for the Festival of Weeks is Pentecost, or the festival of fifty. Although Judaism traditionally associates this festival with the giving of the Ten Commandments, it is only in the New Covenant that this festival is clearly connected to the giving of the Holy Spirit. It is important for the reader to comprehend that only when one is indwelt by the Holy Spirit can he truly turn away from the bondage of sin and be set free to obey the will of God.

Another example from the Scripture is found in the Gospels. Here, Yeshua fed the 5,000 (100 X 50). He had the 5,000 people sit down in groups of 50. Because of this, there is obviously an emphasis on the number 50. One of the theological points which this passage teaches is that when one acts in faith, he is not bound by the things of this world. 

Loveisrael.org - Baruch Korman, Ph.D. - All Rights Reserved - Used with Permission 2016

years a year Noun H8141 שָׁנָ֑ה sha·nah;
old, son Noun H1121 מִבֶּ֨ן mib·ben
everyone the whole, all Noun H3605 כָּל־ kol-
who could enter to come in, come, go in, go Verb H935 הַבָּ֗א hab·ba
to do the work to work, serve Verb H5647 לַעֲבֹ֨ד la·'a·vod
of service labor, service Noun H5656 עֲבֹדַ֧ת a·vo·dat
and the work labor, service Noun H5656 עֲבֹדָ֛ה a·vo·dah
of carrying a load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute Noun H4853 מַשָּׂ֖א mas·sa
in the tent a tent Noun H168 בְּאֹ֥הֶל be·'o·hel
of meeting. appointed time, place, or meeting Noun H4150 מֹועֵֽד׃ mo·v·'ed.

Parallel Verses

Removed text
Added text
New American Standard Bible 1995 from thirty years and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who could enter to do the work of service and the work of carrying in the tent of meeting.
King James Bible from From thirty years old and upward even to unto fifty years old, everyone who could enter every one that came to do the work of service of the ministry, and the work service of carrying the burden in the tent tabernacle of meeting.the congregation,
Hebrew Greek English from thirty years and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who could enter to do the work of service and the work of carrying in the tent of meeting.