Numbers 3:46 - For the redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who exceed the number of the Levites,
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What does "Numbers 3:46" mean?
This verse refers to a specific situation described in the Book of Numbers concerning the census and the redemption of firstborn sons in the Israelite tribes. Let's break it down:
"For the redemption..." This phrase introduces the purpose of the following calculation: to atone for or buy back something.
"...of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel..." In the census described in Numbers 3, all the firstborn sons of Israelite families were counted. The tribe of Levi was set apart for service in the Tabernacle (the portable sanctuary).
"...who exceed the number of the Levites..." When the Levites were counted, their number was less than the number of firstborn Israelite sons. So there were 273 more firstborn sons than there were Levites to take their place in the Tabernacle service.
In Essence:
God had commanded that the tribe of Levi would be dedicated to His service in place of all the firstborn sons of Israel. Ideally, there would have been the same number of Levites as there were firstborn sons. However, there were 273 more firstborn sons than there were Levites. Therefore, a mechanism was needed to "redeem" or "buy back" these extra firstborn sons since they couldn't all be replaced by Levites.
The Redemption Process:
To resolve the discrepancy, each of the 273 extra firstborn sons had to be redeemed by paying a ransom of five shekels of silver to the Levites (Numbers 3:47). This payment symbolically released them from the obligation of direct service to God, as the Levites served in their place. The silver collected was then given to Aaron and his sons.
Numbers 3:46 - For the redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who exceed the number of the Levites,
What does "Numbers 3:46" mean?
This verse refers to a specific situation described in the Book of Numbers concerning the census and the redemption of firstborn sons in the Israelite tribes. Let's break it down:
"For the redemption..." This phrase introduces the purpose of the following calculation: to atone for or buy back something.
"...of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel..." In the census described in Numbers 3, all the firstborn sons of Israelite families were counted. The tribe of Levi was set apart for service in the Tabernacle (the portable sanctuary).
"...who exceed the number of the Levites..." When the Levites were counted, their number was less than the number of firstborn Israelite sons. So there were 273 more firstborn sons than there were Levites to take their place in the Tabernacle service.
In Essence:
God had commanded that the tribe of Levi would be dedicated to His service in place of all the firstborn sons of Israel. Ideally, there would have been the same number of Levites as there were firstborn sons. However, there were 273 more firstborn sons than there were Levites. Therefore, a mechanism was needed to "redeem" or "buy back" these extra firstborn sons since they couldn't all be replaced by Levites.
The Redemption Process:
To resolve the discrepancy, each of the 273 extra firstborn sons had to be redeemed by paying a ransom of five shekels of silver to the Levites (Numbers 3:47). This payment symbolically released them from the obligation of direct service to God, as the Levites served in their place. The silver collected was then given to Aaron and his sons.