Numbers 3:51 kjv
And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Numbers 3:51 nkjv
And Moses gave their redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Numbers 3:51 niv
Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, as he was commanded by the word of the LORD.
Numbers 3:51 esv
And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Numbers 3:51 nlt
And Moses gave the silver for the redemption to Aaron and his sons, just as the LORD had commanded.
Numbers 3 51 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 13:2 | "Sanctify unto me all the firstborn...it is mine." | God's claim on firstborn |
| Exod 13:12 | "you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb..." | Dedication of firstborn mandated |
| Exod 13:13 | "...and all the firstborn of man among your sons shall you redeem." | Requirement for redemption of human firstborn |
| Num 3:12-13 | "Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel..." | Levites substitute for firstborn |
| Num 3:40 | "Number all the firstborn of the males..." | Command to count firstborn |
| Num 3:46-47 | "And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore..." | Redemption price for the excess firstborn |
| Num 8:16-18 | "For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel..." | Levites consecrated in place of firstborn |
| Lev 27:6 | "If it be from a month old... your valuation shall be five shekels of silver." | Redemption value for persons |
| Num 18:15-16 | "...the firstborn of man... shalt thou surely redeem... at a month old..." | Priests receive redemption of firstborn |
| Num 18:21 | "And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth..." | Provision for Levites |
| Num 18:24 | "...given to the Levites to inherit..." | Levites' portion for Tabernacle service |
| Deut 14:28-29 | "...the Levite... and the stranger... shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied..." | Support for Levites and needy |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | "Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things..." | New Testament principle of ministerial support |
| Exod 39:1 | "...according to all that the Lord commanded Moses..." | Moses' obedience in building Tabernacle |
| Exod 40:16 | "Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded him, so did he." | General statement of Moses' obedience |
| Lev 8:36 | "So Aaron and his sons did all things that the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses." | Aaron's and sons' obedience to Moses/Lord |
| Deut 4:2 | "Ye shall not add unto the word... neither shall ye diminish ought from it..." | Emphasizes strict adherence to God's word |
| Jos 1:7 | "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do..." | Command to follow God's law diligently |
| Psa 49:7-8 | "None of them can by any means redeem his brother..." | Human inability to redeem a soul |
| Isa 43:3 | "For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom..." | God as redeemer in Salvation history |
| Mark 10:45 | "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." | Christ's ultimate act of redemption (ransom) |
| Eph 1:7 | "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins..." | Redemption through Christ's sacrifice |
| Col 1:13-14 | "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us..." | Christ's comprehensive redemption |
| 1 Pet 1:18-19 | "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things..." | Redemption not with silver or gold, but Christ's blood |
| Col 1:15-18 | "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature..." | Christ as the supreme Firstborn |
| Heb 1:6 | "And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world..." | Christ as the firstborn/firstbegotten |
Numbers 3 verses
Numbers 3 51 Meaning
Numbers 3:51 concludes the specific instructions regarding the redemption of Israel's firstborn. It records Moses' faithful execution of the divine command, giving the gathered redemption money to Aaron and his sons, the high priest and his priestly family. This money, specifically collected from the 273 firstborn males exceeding the total number of Levites, served as a compensation for their lives, ensuring the sanctity of life and supporting the designated priestly service of the tabernacle. The verse underscores God's meticulous provision, Moses' obedient mediation, and the dedication of resources for sacred service.
Numbers 3 51 Context
Numbers chapter 3 details the specific census and duties of the Levites, who were chosen by God as substitutes for all the firstborn males of Israel. Following the initial dedication of every firstborn male to the Lord as a memorial of the Passover (Exod 13:2, 11-16), God commanded a specific arrangement: the Levites were taken into service in place of the firstborn (Num 3:12). After counting both the firstborn (22,273) and the Levites (22,000), a difference of 273 firstborn males remained unaccounted for by a Levite substitution (Num 3:43-46). For these 273, a monetary redemption of five shekels per head was commanded. Verse 51 marks the conclusion of this task, recording the handing over of this specific sum of "redemption money" by Moses to Aaron and his sons, strictly according to the Lord's prior instruction, reinforcing the theme of divine authority and human obedience within the meticulously organized wilderness Tabernacle system.
Numbers 3 51 Word analysis
- And Moses gave: This highlights Moses' role as the obedient mediator and executor of God's commands. It emphasizes the direct fulfillment of divine instruction, a recurring motif throughout his leadership.
- the redemption money: Hebrew: pəḏuyîm (פְּדֻיִים). This term refers to the "price of redemption" or "ransom money." It is derived from the verb padah (פָדָה), meaning "to redeem" or "to ransom," usually by payment or substitution. This specific sum (1,365 shekels) was distinct from other offerings and served a precise purpose of buying back those lives that were considered God's due but for whom there was no Levite substitute. It underscores the concept of valuing life and dedicating resources for sacred purposes.
- unto Aaron and to his sons: Aaron, as the High Priest, and his descendants held the unique priestly office responsible for the tabernacle's services. Receiving this money signifies its sacred purpose for the tabernacle's maintenance and the support of the priesthood (Num 4:28, 33; 18:8-9), linking the community's responsibility to the sacred service.
- according to the word of the Lord: This phrase emphatically establishes the divine origin and authority behind the entire process. Moses did not act on his own initiative but was simply following explicit, spoken instructions from God. It highlights the divine blueprint for Israel's worship and order.
- as the Lord commanded Moses: This repetition reinforces the complete adherence to God's precise instruction. It serves as a strong affirmation of Moses' faithfulness and a final assurance that every detail of the divine command regarding the firstborn's redemption was perfectly executed. The twice-stated divine command emphasizes its importance and the integrity of the execution.
Numbers 3 51 Bonus section
The specific amount of 5 shekels per firstborn for redemption, detailed in Numbers 3:47, echoes the redemption price for a person's vow to the Lord (Lev 27:6), suggesting a consistent divine valuation of a male human life within a specific age group. This monetary redemption for the firstborn stood in stark contrast to the human sacrifice practiced by surrounding nations (e.g., Molech worship), profoundly illustrating God's reverence for human life and His provision of a substitutionary principle. The fact that the money went to Aaron and his sons, rather than for personal gain or to a general treasury, highlights the sacred economy of God's kingdom, where resources obtained through redemption are funneled directly back into the support of holy service and the spiritual well-being of the community. This act was not merely transactional; it was deeply theological, reaffirming the covenant relationship between God and Israel through acts of obedience and provision.
Numbers 3 51 Commentary
Numbers 3:51 serves as the final, conclusive statement to the intricate process of redeeming Israel's firstborn. It beautifully encapsulates several core biblical principles: God's ultimate ownership and sovereignty over life (symbolized by the firstborn being "mine"); the divine provision for substitution and redemption, a foundational concept paving the way for the greater redemption found in Christ; and the importance of supporting the consecrated ministry of the Tabernacle/Temple through communal contribution. Moses' immediate and precise action in delivering the "redemption money" to Aaron signifies the integrity of God's system and the importance of human obedience. The funds, distinct from other offerings, underscore the sanctity of human life and God's merciful alternative to literal dedication or sacrifice, distinguishing Israel's worship from pagan practices. This verse ultimately portrays a completed task, demonstrating the ordered and purposeful nature of God's dealings with His covenant people and setting a precedent for dedicated support of His appointed ministers and His sacred dwelling place.