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Numbers 3:41

Israel
Covenant and promises

39 The total number of Levites that Moses and Aaron counted by their clans at the LORD’s command, including all the males a month old or more, was 22,000.

40 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Number every firstborn male of the Israelites a month old or more, and list their names.

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.”

42 So Moses numbered all the firstborn of the Israelites, as the LORD had commanded him.

43 The total number of the firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273.

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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
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.”
KJV
And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.
WEB
You shall take the Levites for me—I am the LORD—instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel.”
ASV
And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am Jehovah) instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel:
DARBY
And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am Jehovah) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites, instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.
BLB
And you shall take the Levites for Me—I [am] YHWH—instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the sons of Israel.”
ÅB
Og så skal du la meg, Herren, få levittene i stedet for alle førstefødte blant Israels barn, og levittenes fe i stedet for alt førstefødt blant Israels barns fe.
OTB
Og du skal ta levittene for Meg—Jeg er Herren—i bytte for alle førstefødte blant Israels sønner; og levittenes kveg i stedet for alle førstefødte blant kveget til Israels sønner."
B1930
Og så skal du la mig, Herren, få levittene i stedet for alle førstefødte blandt Israels barn, og levittenes fe i stedet for alt førstefødt blandt Israels barns fe.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Numbers 3:12

    “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,

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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 18:15

    The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast, that is offered to the LORD belongs to you. But you must surely redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals.

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  • Matthew 20:28

    just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

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  • Exodus 32:26–29

    So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him.

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  • Exodus 24:5–6

    Then he sent out some young men of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD.

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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.

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  • 1 Timothy 2:6

    who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.

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