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Numbers 4:47 - Prime years for sacred service?

Numbers 4:47 - במדבר 4:47

Hebrew Text

מִבֶּן שְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה וְעַד בֶּן־חֲמִשִּׁים שָׁנָה כָּל־הַבָּא לַעֲבֹד עֲבֹדַת עֲבֹדָה וַעֲבֹדַת מַשָּׂא בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד׃

English Translation

from thirty years old and upward to fifty years old, everyone that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of carrying in the Tent of Meeting.

Transliteration

Miben shloshim shana va'ma'la ve'ad ben-chamishim shana kol-haba la'avod avodat avoda va'avodat masa b'ohel mo'ed.

Hebrew Leining Text

מִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן־חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כׇּל־הַבָּ֗א לַעֲבֹ֨ד עֲבֹדַ֧ת עֲבֹדָ֛ה וַעֲבֹדַ֥ת מַשָּׂ֖א בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד׃
מִבֶּ֨ן שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וְעַ֖ד בֶּן־חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה כׇּל־הַבָּ֗א לַעֲבֹ֨ד עֲבֹדַ֧ת עֲבֹדָ֛ה וַעֲבֹדַ֥ת מַשָּׂ֖א בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Age Range for Levitical Service

The verse (Bamidbar 4:3) specifies that Levites between the ages of thirty and fifty were eligible for the sacred service in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Rashi explains that this age range represents the peak of a person's physical and intellectual maturity, making them most suitable for the demanding tasks of transporting and maintaining the Mishkan.

Types of Service

The verse mentions two types of service:

  • עֲבֹדַת עֲבֹדָה (Avodat Avodah) - The primary service, which Rashi interprets as referring to the musical duties (playing instruments and singing) performed by the Levites in the Mishkan.
  • עֲבֹדַת מַשָּׂא (Avodat Masa) - The service of carrying, which involved physically transporting the components of the Mishkan during the Israelites' journeys through the wilderness.

Spiritual Significance of the Age Parameters

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 6:3) connects these ages to the life of Yaakov Avinu, noting that at age thirty he began his most productive spiritual period. Rambam (Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 3:8) emphasizes that this age range ensures the service is performed with proper strength and dignity.

Transition Points in Life

The Talmud (Chullin 24a) derives from this verse that:

  • Before thirty, a person is not yet at full strength for sacred service
  • After fifty, one transitions to advisory roles (as per the continuation in Bamidbar 8:25-26)

Contemporary Application

While these specific age requirements applied to Levitical service in the Mishkan, the Seforno notes that they teach us about appropriate times in life for different types of spiritual engagement - with the prime adult years being particularly suited for active service of Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 24a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the age limits for Levitical service, comparing it to other age-related service requirements in the Temple.
📖 Arakhin 11b
Cited in a discussion about the valuation of persons for Temple service, noting the specific age range mentioned in the verse for Levitical duties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the Torah specify ages 30 to 50 for service in the Mishkan?
A: The Torah (Numbers 4:47) specifies ages 30-50 for Levites to serve in the Mishkan because, as Rashi explains, this is when a person reaches full physical and mental maturity for the demanding sacred work. The Talmud (Chullin 24a) notes this age range represents the peak of one's strength for carrying the heavy Mishkan components.
Q: What were the Levites' main responsibilities in the Mishkan?
A: According to this verse and Rashi's commentary, the Levites had two primary roles: 1) 'Avodat Avodah' - the service of dismantling/assembling the Mishkan, and 2) 'Avodat Massa' - the service of carrying the Mishkan's components during travels. The Rambam (Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 3:8) elaborates on these sacred duties.
Q: Does this age restriction apply to Jewish service today?
A: While the specific Temple service no longer exists, the Talmud (Berachot 28a) derives from this verse that communal leadership positions should be given to those who've reached maturity. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 245:6) applies this principle to judges and Torah teachers, showing how Torah wisdom develops with age and experience.
Q: Why does the verse repeat the word 'service' (avodah) twice?
A: The double language teaches, as the Sifrei explains, that there were two distinct types of service: physical labor (carrying) and sacred service (maintaining the Mishkan). The Kli Yakar adds that this repetition emphasizes the honor and importance of even the seemingly mundane aspects of serving Hashem.
Q: What can we learn from the Levites' age requirements?
A: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 6:3) teaches that this shows proper divine service requires both youthful energy and mature wisdom. The Vilna Gaon explains that ages 30-50 represent the ideal balance - old enough for wisdom (Pirkei Avot 5:21 says 30 for strength), yet young enough for physical service, teaching us to use our prime years for holy purposes.