Numbers 3:50

Translations

Modern

He collected the money from the firstborn of the Israelites: 1,365 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.

Traditional

Of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

Literal

From the firstborn of the sons of Israel he took the silver, five and sixty and three hundred and a thousand shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary,

Latin

…pro primogenitis filiorum Israël, mille trecentorum sexaginta quinque siclorum juxta pondus sanctuarii:

Original

Hebrew

English

He collected the money from the firstborn of the Israelites: 1,365 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.

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.

Measurements

1,365 shekels: About 34.3 lb (15.6 kg)

Related verses

Numbers 3:46–47
To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites,
1 Timothy 2:5–6
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
1 Peter 1:18
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,
Titus 2:14
He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Hebrews 9:12
He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.
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 Peter 3:18
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

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

Topics

Firstborn: Redemption of Money: Silver Used As Priest: Benefits of of the Firstborn Redemption: Redemption Money Paid to Priests The First Born of Israel: Price of, Given to the Priests

Numbers 3:50

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