But the Levites] They were exempted from these musters, being consecrated and separated for the service of the Sanctuary; for which cause they were to encampe about the Tabernacle next unto it; vers. 50. yet that it might appear it was no losse to serve the Lord, (though wicked worldlings think otherwise, Job 21:15. Malachi 3:14. Amos 8:5.) when their tribe was kept out of the accompt, the number was no lesse; for at a former computation, the Levites numbred with the other Tribes about a yeare before this, the totall summe was 603 550; Exodus 38:26. and now at this time just the same number, the Levites left out; yet were the Levites numbred afterward, but neither with the rest of the Tribes, but by themselves, nor from twenty yeares old and upward, as for the service of warre, but from a moneth old and upward, Numbers 3:15. with reference to the Sanctuary; either for service to it, or maintenance from it; and that Gods blessing might appeare in the multiplication of that Tribe, as well as in the rest.