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Numbers 3:12

10 So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.”

11 Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

“Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to Me,

13 for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They are Mine; I am the LORD.”

14 Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying,

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to Me,
KJV
And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;
WEB
“Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn who open the womb among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine,
ASV
And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the first-born that openeth the womb among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine:
DARBY
And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of every firstborn that breaketh open the womb among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine;
BLB
“And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from the midst of the sons of Israel, instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the sons of Israel. And the Levite shall be unto Me,
ÅB
Se, jeg har tatt levittene ut blant Israels barn i stedet for alle førstefødte, dem som åpner morsliv blant Israels barn, for at levittene skal høre meg til.
OTB
"Se, jeg har tatt levittene fra blant israelittene i stedet for hver førstefødt, den førstefødte av morslivet blant Israels sønner. Levittene skal være Mine,
B1930
Se, jeg har tatt levittene ut blandt Israels barn i stedet for alle førstefødte, dem som åpner morsliv blandt Israels barn, forat levittene skal høre mig til.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Numbers 18:6

    Behold, I Myself have selected your fellow Levites from the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to perform the service for the Tent of Meeting.

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  • Numbers 8:16

    For the Levites have been wholly given to Me from among the sons of Israel. I have taken them for Myself in place of all who come first from the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel.

    Read in context

  • Numbers 3:41

    You are to take the Levites for Me—I am the LORD—in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.”

    Read in context

  • Exodus 13:2

    “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”

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  • Numbers 3:45

    “Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites belong to Me; I am the LORD.

    Read in context

  • Numbers 8:18

    But I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel.

    Read in context