Numbers 3:41

Translations

Modern

You are to take the Levites for Me—I am the LORD—in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.”

Traditional

And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the Lord) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.

Literal

And you shall take the Levites for Me—I am YHWH—instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the sons of Israel.”

Latin

Tollesque Levitas mihi pro omni primogenito filiorum Israël: ego sum Dominus: et pecora eorum pro universis primogenitis pecorum filiorum Israël.

Original

Hebrew

English

You are to take the Levites for Me—I am the LORD—in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.”

Notes

Numbers 3:40–51

There were 273 more firstborn sons in Israel from the non-Levite tribes than there were Levite males (compare Leviticus 3:39). The Levites acted as substitutes for Israel's firstborn sons (3:41; see study note on 3:11–13). The law required a redemption price of five pieces of silver for each extra firstborn son (Numbers 3:46–48; compare Leviticus 27:6).

It is unclear who paid this cost. This arrangement for special substitutes points to Christ’s role as a substitute. Through his death, Christ paid the redemption price for all humanity (see Mark 10:45; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:15).

Numbers 3:1–4:49

Israel's priests and Levites had duties like moving, assembling, protecting, and maintaining the Tent of Meeting. The way God organized the tribes highlighted his concern for these priestly tasks.

Related verses

Numbers 3:12
“Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to Me,
Numbers 3:45
“Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites belong to Me; I am the LORD.
Exodus 32:26–29
So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him.
Matthew 20:28
…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
1 Timothy 2:6
…who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.
Numbers 18:15
The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast, that is offered to the LORD belongs to you. But you must surely redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals.
Exodus 24:5–6
Then he sent out some young men of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD.
Numbers 8:16
For the Levites have been wholly given to Me from among the sons of Israel. I have taken them for Myself in place of all who come first from the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Cattle Deuteronomy, Book of Numbers, Book of Priests and Levites Ransom

Topics

Census: The Numbering of Israel by Moses Firstborn: Levites Taken Instead of Firstborn of the Families of Israel Firstborn: Redemption of Levites: Substituted in the Place of the Firstborn Children Substitution: The Levites for the Firstborn of the Israelites The First Born of Israel: Tribe of Levi Taken For The Levites: Taken Instead of the First-Born of Israel

Numbers 3:41

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