Numbers 3 49

Numbers 3:49 kjv

And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites:

Numbers 3:49 nkjv

So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those who were redeemed by the Levites.

Numbers 3:49 niv

So Moses collected the redemption money from those who exceeded the number redeemed by the Levites.

Numbers 3:49 esv

So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the Levites.

Numbers 3:49 nlt

So Moses collected the silver for redeeming the firstborn sons of Israel who exceeded the number of Levites.

Numbers 3 verses

Numbers 3 49 Meaning

Numbers 3:49 records that Moses collected the stipulated redemption payment from the 273 firstborn Israelite males who remained after the Levites had been counted and appointed as a substitute for the main body of firstborn. This payment compensated for the firstborn whose lives were not covered by the available number of Levites. The money was then to be given to Aaron and his sons.

Numbers 3 49 Context

Numbers chapter 3 details a divine instruction for a specific census of the firstborn males of Israel and the entire tribe of Levi. The historical context is Israel's encampment in the wilderness at Sinai, soon after receiving the Law and establishing the tabernacle. God declared that all firstborn males of Israel belonged to Him, as a memorial to His saving power during the Exodus when He struck the firstborn of Egypt but spared Israel's (Exod 13). Instead of collecting every firstborn male for service, God commanded that the tribe of Levi be taken as a substitute for all the firstborn of Israel.

A census revealed there were 22,273 firstborn Israelite males (Num 3:43) but only 22,000 Levites (Num 3:39). This left an excess of 273 firstborn males who were not covered by the Levites' substitution. Numbers 3:46 specifies that a redemption price must be paid for these 273 individuals, at the rate of five shekels per head, which Num 3:47 details. The immediate context of verse 49 is the culmination of this command, where Moses faithfully collects this redemption money to complete God's prescribed arrangement.

Numbers 3 49 Word analysis

• And Moses took: This highlights Moses' obedient and mediatorial role. As God's chosen leader, he executes divine commands meticulously, ensuring the precise fulfillment of the Law.
• the redemption money: Hebrew: p̄iḏ·yōwn (פדיון). This term signifies a price paid for release, freedom, or rescue. It's a "ransom" or "redemption price." Here, it directly signifies the cost for the firstborn to be spared from service to God at the tabernacle, as their lives were consecrated to God. This concept echoes God's prior claim on all firstborn. The money was a symbolic life-for-life exchange, showing God's mercy and adherence to order.
• from those who were over and above: Hebrew: hā·‘ōḏə·p̄îm (העֹדְפִים), literally "the ones who remained/exceeded." This refers specifically to the 273 firstborn males whose number surpassed the 22,000 Levites available for substitution, as explicitly stated in Num 3:46. This demonstrates the precise nature of God's commands and calculations.
• those who were redeemed by the Levites: The phrase implies that these firstborn should have been redeemed by the Levites, but because of the numerical shortfall, they still required individual redemption. It's not that the Levites themselves provided the money, but that the initial plan was for the Levites to cover all the firstborn. This segment clarifies that the redemption payment was for the specific individuals not covered by the Levitical substitution plan. This intricate detail shows God's specific allocation and accountability.

Words-group analysis:

• "And Moses took the redemption money": This phrase emphasizes the practical execution of a divine ordinance. Moses acts as God's administrator, collecting the specified funds, reinforcing the legal and transactional aspect of this redemption. This act embodies obedience and trust in God's intricate system.
• "from those who were over and above those who were redeemed by the Levites": This entire phrase delineates the precise group from whom the redemption money was collected. It distinguishes the firstborn who were offset by the Levites from the specific excess that required a monetary payment. It underlines the careful, exact accounting within God's laws, leaving no ambiguity about who needed to pay and why. This level of detail confirms divine meticulousness and justice, ensuring that the initial consecration of the firstborn was fully addressed, either by Levitical substitution or monetary ransom.

Numbers 3 49 Bonus section

The amount collected, 1,365 shekels (273 x 5 shekels), represented a significant sum, equivalent to about 34 pounds of silver. This substantial amount emphasizes the value God placed on the lives of the firstborn and, by extension, His claim on every life. The careful calculation and collection of this "ransom" money demonstrate God's meticulousness and His expectation of adherence to His laws. This event serves as a foundational example of "redemption" in the Old Testament, where a price is paid to deliver or acquire something that rightfully belongs to God. It establishes a theological precedent for understanding that spiritual freedom often comes at a cost, preparing the people for a deeper understanding of God's later, greater redemption through Christ.

Numbers 3 49 Commentary

Numbers 3:49 concludes the detailed divine directive concerning the exchange of the Levites for the firstborn of Israel, specifying the precise final action of Moses. This verse underscores several key theological truths. First, it powerfully reaffirms God's absolute claim over His creation, particularly His "firstfruits," stemming from the Exodus salvation. Second, it highlights the principle of substitution, a core concept woven throughout Scripture. God allowed the Levites to stand in the place of the majority of firstborn, demonstrating His gracious provision. For the remaining few, a monetary redemption was required, meticulously calculated and commanded, showing God's demand for holiness and His specific terms for releasing His claim. This specific transaction ensures divine order and underscores the seriousness of God's claim and the importance of meeting His requirements, foreshadowing the ultimate, unblemished redemption through Christ's shed blood—a price incomparably higher than silver or gold. This passage reminds us that while God desires communion, it is on His holy terms, always providing a way for mankind to stand right before Him.