Numbers 3 43

Numbers 3:43 kjv

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.

Numbers 3:43 nkjv

And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names from a month old and above, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.

Numbers 3:43 niv

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

Numbers 3:43 esv

And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names, from a month old and upward as listed were 22,273.

Numbers 3:43 nlt

The number of firstborn sons who were one month old or older was 22,273.

Numbers 3 verses

Numbers 3 43 Meaning

Numbers 3:43 records the precise number of all Israelite firstborn males, from one month old and upward, as twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three. This census was conducted specifically to determine the total number of firstborn males who, according to God's commandment after the Passover in Egypt, belonged to Him. This registration served as the foundation for their subsequent redemption through the substitution of the Levites or through payment.

Numbers 3 43 Context

Numbers 3 primarily details the organization and roles of the Levitical tribe, specifically their duties related to the Tabernacle. This chapter marks the transition of the Israelite firstborn from being the designated consecrated servants of God (as proclaimed after the Passover) to the Levites assuming that special role as substitutes. Historically, this occurs shortly after the Exodus, during Israel's encampment at Mount Sinai. God, having delivered His people from Egyptian bondage and claimed their firstborn through the tenth plague, now implements a detailed system for divine service and purification within the community, replacing the original claim on all firstborn with a specific dedicated tribe. The count in Num 3:43 establishes the exact total of those for whom the substitution or redemption needed to be completed, underscoring God's meticulous order in all things related to His covenant people.

Numbers 3 43 Word analysis

• and all the firstborn males:
  • all: The Hebrew word kol (כֹּל) emphasizes completeness and totality. It underscores that every single firstborn male, regardless of tribal affiliation (other than Levi, as they are not "redeemed" in the same manner but "taken"), was included in this divine count.
  • firstborn males: The Hebrew term is bekhor (בְּכוֹר). This term is highly significant. In ancient Israelite culture, the firstborn male held a special status, often inheriting a double portion and leading the family. Biblically, God claimed all firstborn of Israel as His own following the Passover event in Egypt (Exod 13:2), where He struck the firstborn of Egypt but spared Israel's. This divine claim underscored His sovereign power and deliverance, and their consecration meant they belonged uniquely to Him. This passage in Numbers establishes the practical application of that consecration.
• were counted: The root verb in Hebrew is paqad (פָּקַד), which means to number, visit, muster, or appoint. It signifies more than a mere numerical tally; it carries the sense of a divine registration, an official accounting, or an appointed purpose. The count here is purposeful, leading to their redemption and substitution by the Levites.
• by name: The phrase le-mispar shemotam (לְמִסְפַּר שְׁמֹתָם) means "according to the number of their names" or "by the numbered list of their names." This detail highlights the personal and individual nature of God's knowledge and decree. It implies meticulous identification, not just a collective sum. Each firstborn was personally accounted for, signifying their individual value and the specific nature of God's claim upon them.
• from a month old and upward: The Hebrew is mi-ben chodesh va-ma'lah (מִבֶּן חֹדֶשׁ וָמָעְלָה). This sets the minimum age for inclusion in the count. A child from one month old was considered viable and subject to the divine consecration. This age is also consistent with the counting age for the Levites (Num 3:15), indicating that even infants were within God's ownership and plan. It demonstrates the meticulous nature of the census.
• twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three: This specific number is the result of God's direct enumeration. It represents the exact population of eligible firstborn males at that time. This precise figure is crucial as it sets up the divine transaction with the Levites.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "and all the firstborn males were counted by name": This entire phrase emphasizes God's personal claim and meticulous attention to His people. It's not a general tally, but a specific enumeration of those divinely claimed, identifying each individual by their name, signifying their personal standing before God.
• "from a month old and upward, twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three": This section provides the precise parameters and outcome of the census. It defines the inclusion criteria (age) and the exact resulting number, preparing the reader for the subsequent redemption details.

Numbers 3 43 Bonus section

The seemingly slight discrepancy between the 22,273 firstborn and the 22,000 Levites (Num 3:39) is significant. It reveals that the number of firstborn exceeded the Levites by 273 individuals. Numbers 3:46-48 meticulously addresses this, requiring a redemption price of five shekels per head for these 273 extra firstborn, paid to Aaron and his sons. This "excess" and its required monetary redemption underscores:

1. Divine Meticulousness: God's commands are precise, leaving no room for approximation. Every individual under His claim is accounted for.
2. Sacred Value: It underscores that human life, consecrated to God, has a specific value even if not directly served by the Levites, ensuring the integrity of the dedication.
3. Illustrative of Redemption: It perfectly illustrates the concept of redemption (pidyon), where a payment (whether life for life in the Levites' case, or money in this specific case) is rendered to fulfill a divine claim. This provides a tangible example of how a sacred obligation could be met, foreshadowing the ultimate redemption bought by Christ.

Numbers 3 43 Commentary

Numbers 3:43 is a testament to God's precise and purposeful nature in His dealings with Israel. This exact census of the firstborn, a direct consequence of the Passover liberation (Exod 13:2), undergirds the unique arrangement between God, the Levites, and the rest of Israel. By taking the Levites in place of the firstborn (Num 3:12-13), God demonstrates the principle of substitutionary service and, more profoundly, redemption. The specific number here, 22,273, sets the stage for the crucial accounting that follows: when compared with the 22,000 Levites available for substitution (Num 3:39), a remainder of 273 firstborn males necessitates a monetary redemption (Num 3:46-51). This detail highlights not only God's precise bookkeeping but also His unwavering commitment to His covenant, ensuring every claimed firstborn is either substituted or redeemed, reinforcing His ownership and the holy requirements of His service.