“And the counted of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their patrilineal house” (Numbers 4:42). “And the counted of the families.” Why are “families” stated in the census of the sons of Merari, but not regarding the sons of Kehat and not regarding the sons of Gershon? It is because the sons of Merari were numerous for service.
They produced many families, as they were six thousand two hundred, and they increased from thirty years old, one hundred more than half [the number] of [those from age] one month old [to thirty], as you find that from one month old, their number totaled six thousand two hundred, and from thirty years old, their number totaled three thousand two hundred, one hundred more than half.18Those over thirty years of age were more than fifty percent of the total number from one month old and up.
But regarding the sons of Kehat, the “families of the sons of Kehat” is not stated, as from thirty years old, not even one-third of those counted from one month old were found. Likewise, “and the counted of the families” was not stated regarding the sons of Gershon, as they, too, those who were from thirty years old did not reach half, as from one month old, they were seven thousand five hundred, and from thirty years old, they were only two thousand six hundred and thirty.
“From thirty years old and above until fifty years old, everyone who enlisted for duty, for work in the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 4:43). “From thirty years old and above until fifty years old,” from fifty years old and above, they were disqualified from standing in the Tabernacle and performing service, because they were incapable of reciting song, however, from fifty years old and above, they could return for the locking of gates.
“Their counted by their families were three thousand and two hundred” (Numbers 4:44). “Their counted by their families were three thousand and two hundred.” This is what they said: Because they were a large population fit to perform service, “families” is stated in their regard. “These are the counted of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the directive of the Lord at the hand of Moses” (Numbers 4:45).
“These are the counted of the families.” Why is “at the hand of Moses” stated regarding the sons of Merari? Because the Holy One blessed be He saw that Moses did not say to Aaron in the name of the Holy One blessed be He that he should count the sons of Gershon, therefore when he came to count the sons of Merari, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘Go and say to Aaron, in My name, that he should count the sons of Merari with him.’ That is why “at the hand of Moses” is stated.