Numbers 3 50

Numbers 3:50 kjv

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:

Numbers 3:50 nkjv

From the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.

Numbers 3:50 niv

From the firstborn of the Israelites he collected silver weighing 1,365 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.

Numbers 3:50 esv

From the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the money, 1,365 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary.

Numbers 3:50 nlt

He collected 1,365 pieces of silver on behalf of these firstborn sons of Israel (each piece weighing the same as the sanctuary shekel).

Numbers 3 verses

Numbers 3 50 Meaning

Numbers 3:50 details the culmination of the process for consecrating and redeeming the firstborn males of Israel. It states that Moses collected the redemption money—specifically five shekels per head—for the 273 firstborn Israelite males who remained as a surplus after the Levites had been dedicated as their substitute. This monetary payment satisfied God's divine claim on these individuals, ensuring all firstborn were accounted for and consecrated either by a Levite substitute or by financial ransom.

Numbers 3 50 Context

Numbers chapter 3 describes God's specific instructions concerning the Levites, who were set apart to serve the tabernacle and assist Aaron and his sons, the priests. Crucially, the Levites were divinely chosen as a substitute for all the firstborn males of Israel. This divine election stemmed from God sparing the firstborn of Israel during the tenth plague in Egypt, establishing His rightful claim over all firstborn (Exod 12:29; 13:2, 13-15).

A census was conducted, revealing 22,273 firstborn Israelite males (Num 3:43) and 22,000 Levite males (Num 3:39). This left a surplus of 273 firstborn males who could not be directly substituted by a Levite. For these individuals, God commanded a monetary redemption: five shekels for each (Num 3:47). Numbers 3:50 records the direct execution of this command by Moses, closing this phase of Israel's consecration to God.

Numbers 3 50 Word analysis

• So: Signifies the concluding action based on the preceding instructions and calculations (Num 3:46-49). It connects the fulfillment to the divine command.
• Moses: מֹשֶׁה (Mosheh). The leader, prophet, and mediator of the Mosaic Covenant, whose role was to obediently implement God's laws and instructions for the people of Israel. His action signifies divine command being carried out.
• took: לָקַח (laqach). "To take," "to receive," or "to acquire." Here, it denotes an active collection and authoritative reception of the specified money on God's behalf. It emphasizes the obedience and administrative role of Moses in executing a sacred transaction.
• the redemption money: כֶּסֶף הַפְּדוּיִם (keseph ha-pedu'im). Lit. "the silver of the redeemed ones." Keseph means silver, which functioned as currency. Pedu'im comes from the verb padah meaning "to redeem," "to ransom," or "to buy back." This term highlights the nature of the transaction: a payment made to ransom or release what was due to God, securing those lives from divine claim in lieu of personal service or life.
• from those who were over and above: מֵאֵת הָעֹדְפִים (me'et ha-od'phim). Lit. "from the ones exceeding" or "from the surplus ones." Derived from adaph, meaning "to remain over," "to be abundant." This phrase specifically refers to the 273 firstborn males (22,273 firstborn minus 22,000 Levites), pinpointing the exact group requiring monetary redemption due to the shortage of Levites as substitutes.
• those redeemed by the Levites: This phrase specifies the contrast and the reason for the monetary redemption. It implies "the surplus from that class whose redemption was generally by Levites" or "those who were in excess beyond what could be redeemed by the Levites." The original Hebrew more clearly delineates the "excess ones upon those who were redeemed by the Levites." It underscores that while the Levites covered most firstborn, for the remainder, a monetary ransom was mandated, thereby completing the required atonement and demonstrating God's meticulous fulfillment of His sacred claims.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "Moses took the redemption money": This signifies the direct and immediate obedience of Israel's leadership to God's precise command. It validates the divine authorization behind the collection, showing God's will being implemented through His chosen servant.
  • "the redemption money from those who were over and above": This phrase highlights God's meticulousness in sacred matters. No one under God's claim was to be unredeemed. The money symbolized a specific valuation placed upon a life that belonged to God, and this exact sum ensured the fulfillment of the divine decree where personal substitution by a Levite was not feasible.
  • "those redeemed by the Levites": This specifies the benchmark for the excess. The phrase effectively says the money was for those who could not be covered by the Levite-for-firstborn exchange, reinforcing the primary means of redemption while acknowledging the necessary supplementary measure. It clarifies that two distinct but equally valid forms of redemption (tribal substitution or monetary ransom) were employed to satisfy God's claim on the firstborn of Israel.

Numbers 3 50 Bonus section

• The exact sum collected was 1365 shekels (273 firstborn x 5 shekels/head). This large amount would have been significant for supporting the priesthood.
• The meticulous accounting, down to 273 individuals and a precise sum, reveals God's absolute demand for order, accuracy, and fulfillment in sacred matters, leaving no debt unpaid or obligation unmet.
• This act solidified the transfer of firstborn sanctity to the Levites, who now carried the ceremonial obligations associated with Israel's firstborn status before God.
• The system of monetary redemption served as a theological precedent for understanding ransom, atonement, and substitution—concepts foundational to the ultimate spiritual redemption found in Jesus Christ's sacrifice.

Numbers 3 50 Commentary

Numbers 3:50 acts as the concluding statement for a critical aspect of Israel's early priestly system and relationship with God: the consecration and redemption of the firstborn. This verse emphasizes God's sovereign ownership over all life, particularly the firstborn, a right established powerfully during the Passover (Exod 12:29; 13:2). To redeem this divine claim, God graciously provided the Levites as a substitute for most of the firstborn, showcasing the principle of substitutionary atonement.

However, when a numerical imbalance occurred—a surplus of 273 firstborn over the available Levites—God did not waive His claim but required a specific monetary redemption: five shekels per head. Moses' collection of this money was an act of complete obedience, ensuring every firstborn was properly ransomed. This sacred sum was then entrusted to the Aaronic priests (Num 3:48), serving to support their consecrated service in the Tabernacle. This underscores divine order, justice, and the sanctity of covenant obligations. The entire episode foreshadows the ultimate redemption provided by Jesus Christ, the ultimate Firstborn (Col 1:15; Rev 1:5), whose life was given as the supreme ransom (Matt 20:28; 1 Tim 2:6), perfecting and fulfilling all types of ancient covenant redemption.