And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.
Twenty and three thousand - so that there was an increase of a thousand (Numbers 3:39). Dr. Colenso alleges a gross inconsistency in this statement, which represents the tribe of Levi as having an increase of only 1,000 within a period of 38 years, while that of Manasseh during the same interval was augmented by 20,500 persons.
In refutation of this charge it might be sufficient to answer, that the tribe of Levi was less prolific than the other tribes; but there were two other probable causes which may account for the comparatively small increase in this tribe during the protracted wanderings in the wilderness-namely, first, that while in the other tribes the children of servants, strangers, and of mixed marriage were all included, greater strictness was observed in the numbering of the sacred tribe, none but the pure stock of Levi being admitted (see the note at Numbers 3:45); and secondly, that this tribe experienced a great calamity, which must have sadly reduced its numbers-the mortality occasioned by the conspiracy of Korah, (see the notes at Numbers 16:1-50.)
Males from a month old and upward - (see the note at Numbers 3:15).
The following Table exhibits a comparative view of the numbers of each tribe at the first and second census:
It appears from these statistics-the diversified character of which clearly demonstrates that they were not concocted on any artificial plan, nor drawn up by the hand of an impostor, but rested upon a basis of facts-that Levi was not the only tribe which showed a small increase. Reuben Judah, Zebulun, and Dan had but trifling additions to their numbers, while Simeon and Ephraim suffered great diminution. Thus the justice and holiness, as well as truth and faithfulness, of God were strikingly displayed: His justice and holiness in the sweeping judgments that reduced the ranks of some tribes; while His truth and faithfullness were manifested in the extraordinary increase of others, so that the posterity of Israel continued a numerous people.