Numbers 3:50 - from the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred sixty-five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
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What does "Numbers 3:50" mean?
This verse is from the book of Numbers in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and deals with the census and redemption of the firstborn sons of Israel. Let's break it down:
"From the firstborn of the children of Israel...": God commanded a census to be taken of all the firstborn sons of Israel who were a month old or older. This was because during the tenth plague in Egypt, God spared the firstborn sons of Israel while killing the firstborn sons of the Egyptians. As a result, the firstborn sons of Israel were considered to belong to God.
"...he took the money...": Because it was impractical for all the firstborn sons to serve God directly, a monetary redemption price was instituted to "buy them back" or redeem them from this service. This money was given to the Levites. The Levites were dedicated to God's service in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) in place of the firstborn.
"...one thousand three hundred sixty-five shekels...": This is the total sum of money collected from the redemption of the firstborn sons.
"...after the shekel of the sanctuary": This is a crucial detail. It specifies that the shekel used for this transaction was the "shekel of the sanctuary." This was a standardized, weighted shekel used specifically for religious purposes, ensuring fairness and consistency in sacred transactions. It was considered the standard for all weights and measurements in the sanctuary, ensuring no cheating or dishonesty. This weight was often heavier than a common, everyday shekel.
In essence, the verse describes the process of redeeming the firstborn sons of Israel by paying a standardized sum of money (1365 shekels, measured according to the "shekel of the sanctuary") to the Levites.
Significance:
Recognition of God's ownership: The redemption acknowledged that the firstborn belonged to God because he had spared them in Egypt.
Substitutionary service: The Levites were chosen to serve in the Tabernacle on behalf of the firstborn sons, freeing the firstborn to live normal lives.
Standardized value: The use of the "shekel of the sanctuary" ensured fairness and accuracy in the redemption process and emphasized the sacred nature of the transaction.
Census and Organization: The verse is a part of a larger narrative about organizing the Israelite people, their roles, and their responsibilities in worship and service to God.
Numbers 3:50 - from the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred sixty-five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
What does "Numbers 3:50" mean?
This verse is from the book of Numbers in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and deals with the census and redemption of the firstborn sons of Israel. Let's break it down:
"From the firstborn of the children of Israel...": God commanded a census to be taken of all the firstborn sons of Israel who were a month old or older. This was because during the tenth plague in Egypt, God spared the firstborn sons of Israel while killing the firstborn sons of the Egyptians. As a result, the firstborn sons of Israel were considered to belong to God.
"...he took the money...": Because it was impractical for all the firstborn sons to serve God directly, a monetary redemption price was instituted to "buy them back" or redeem them from this service. This money was given to the Levites. The Levites were dedicated to God's service in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) in place of the firstborn.
"...one thousand three hundred sixty-five shekels...": This is the total sum of money collected from the redemption of the firstborn sons.
"...after the shekel of the sanctuary": This is a crucial detail. It specifies that the shekel used for this transaction was the "shekel of the sanctuary." This was a standardized, weighted shekel used specifically for religious purposes, ensuring fairness and consistency in sacred transactions. It was considered the standard for all weights and measurements in the sanctuary, ensuring no cheating or dishonesty. This weight was often heavier than a common, everyday shekel.
In essence, the verse describes the process of redeeming the firstborn sons of Israel by paying a standardized sum of money (1365 shekels, measured according to the "shekel of the sanctuary") to the Levites.
Significance:
Recognition of God's ownership: The redemption acknowledged that the firstborn belonged to God because he had spared them in Egypt.
Substitutionary service: The Levites were chosen to serve in the Tabernacle on behalf of the firstborn sons, freeing the firstborn to live normal lives.
Standardized value: The use of the "shekel of the sanctuary" ensured fairness and accuracy in the redemption process and emphasized the sacred nature of the transaction.
Census and Organization: The verse is a part of a larger narrative about organizing the Israelite people, their roles, and their responsibilities in worship and service to God.