Keraia
Numbers 3

Numbers 3:43

The Redemption of the Firstborn · Numbers 3:40–51
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Translations

Modern
The total number of the firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273.
Traditional
And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.
Literal
And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a son of a month and above, of their numbered, were two and twenty thousand three and seventy and two hundred.
Latin
…et fuerunt masculi per nomina sua, a mense uno et supra, viginti duo millia ducenti septuaginta tres.

Original

Hebrew
English
The total number of the firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273.

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.

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 The First Born of Israel: Tribe of Levi Taken For The Levites: Taken Instead of the First-Born of Israel