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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 3:46 To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/3-46.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/04_Num_03_46.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 3:46 - The Redemption of the Firstborn" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/3-46.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/3-46.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 46</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/3-45.htm" title="Numbers 3:45">◄</a> Numbers 3:46 <a href="/numbers/3-47.htm" title="Numbers 3:47">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />There are 273 more firstborn sons of Israel than there are Levites. To redeem these extra firstborn sons,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And for the redemption of the two hundred and seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who are more than the number of the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And as a redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the sons of Israel who are in excess of <i>the number of</i> the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220For the ransom of the 273 of the firstborn of the sons of Israel who are in excess beyond the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And for the ransom of the 273 of the first-born of the sons of Israel who are in excess beyond the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For the redemption price of the 273 of the firstborn of the sons of Israel who are in excess beyond the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For the ransom (redemption price) of the 273 of the firstborn of the Israelites who outnumber the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As the redemption price for the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As the redemption price for the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And for the redemption of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the first-born of the children of Israel, that are over and above the number of the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But since there are more first-born sons than Levites, the extra 273 men and boys must be bought back from me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And for the redemption of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are over and above the number of the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />There are 273 more firstborn male Israelites than there are Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Since the first-born Israelite sons outnumber the Levites by 273, you must buy back the extra sons. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are to pay a ransom for the 273 first-born Israelis who exceed the census number of the descendants of Levi, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And for the redemption of the 273 firstborn males of the Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For the redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who exceed the number of the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and seventy and three, of the first-born of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For the redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel who exceed the number of the Levites, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And [from] those ransomed of the two hundred and seventy-three of the firstborn of the sons of Israel, who are more than the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And from those ransomed of the two hundred and seventy and three (who are more than the Levites) of the first-born of the sons of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the price of redemption of the three and seventy and two hundred, of those remaining over the Levites, from the first-born of the sons of Israel:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But for the price of the two hundred and seventy-three, of the firstborn of the children of Israel, that exceed the number of the Levites, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But for the price of the two hundred and seventy-three, which exceed the number of the Levites compared to the number of firstborn of the sons of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />As a redemption-price for the two hundred and seventy-three firstborn of the Israelites over and above the number of the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />As the price of redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the Israelites, over and above the number of the Levites,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And for the redemption of the two hundred and seventy-three of the first-born of the children of Israel, that are above the number of the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the redemption of the two hundred and seventy and three more than the Levites, the firstborn of the children Israel:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And as for the redemption of the two hundred and three score and thirteen of the first-born of the children of Israel, that are over and above the number of the Levites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And for the ransoms of the two hundred and seventy-three which exceed the Levites in number of the first-born of the sons of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/3-46.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=1008" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/3.htm">The Redemption of the Firstborn</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">45</span>“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. <span class="reftext">46</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’êṯ (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6302.htm" title="6302: pə·ḏū·yê (N-mpc) -- That are to be that were redeemed. Passive participle of padah. Ransomed; as abstractly a ransom.">To redeem</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: haš·šə·lō·šāh (Art:: Number-ms) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">the 273</a> <a href="/hebrew/7657.htm" title="7657: wə·haš·šiḇ·‘îm (Conj-w, Art:: Number-cp) -- Seventy (a card. number). Multiple of sheba'; seventy."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3967.htm" title="3967: wə·ham·mā·ṯā·yim (Conj-w, Art:: Number-fd) -- Hundred. Or metyah; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1060.htm" title="1060: mib·bə·ḵō·wr (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- First-born. From bakar; firstborn; hence, chief.">firstborn</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5736.htm" title="5736: hā·‘ō·ḏə·p̄îm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To remain over, be in excess. A primitive root; to be redundant.">who outnumber</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: hal·wî·yim (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">the Levites,</a> </span><span class="reftext">47</span>you are to collect five shekels for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/13-13.htm">Exodus 13:13</a></span><br />You must redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb, and if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. And every firstborn of your sons you must redeem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-20.htm">Exodus 34:20</a></span><br />You must redeem the firstborn of a donkey with a lamb; but if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. You must redeem all the firstborn of your sons. No one shall appear before Me empty-handed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/27-26.htm">Leviticus 27:26-27</a></span><br />But no one may consecrate a firstborn of the livestock, because a firstborn belongs to the LORD. Whether it is an ox or a sheep, it is the LORD’s. / But if it is among the unclean animals, then he may redeem it according to your valuation and add a fifth of its value. If it is not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/18-15.htm">Numbers 18:15-16</a></span><br />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. / You are to pay the redemption price for a month-old male according to your valuation: five shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel, which is twenty gerahs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/15-19.htm">Deuteronomy 15:19</a></span><br />You must set apart to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herds and flocks. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work, nor are you to shear the firstborn of your flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-23.htm">Luke 2:23</a></span><br />(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-24.htm">1 Samuel 1:24-28</a></span><br />Once she had weaned him, Hannah took the boy with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. Though the boy was still young, she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. / And when they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. / “Please, my lord,” said Hannah, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-13.htm">1 Chronicles 23:13</a></span><br />The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/10-36.htm">Nehemiah 10:36</a></span><br />And we will bring the firstborn of our sons and our livestock, as it is written in the Law, and will bring the firstborn of our herds and flocks to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-25.htm">Matthew 1:25</a></span><br />But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-23.htm">Hebrews 12:23</a></span><br />in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-29.htm">Romans 8:29</a></span><br />For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15</a></span><br />The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-20.htm">1 Corinthians 15:20-23</a></span><br />But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. / For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/14-4.htm">Revelation 14:4</a></span><br />These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and three score and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;</p><p class="hdg">redeemed</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/18-15.htm">Numbers 18:15</a></b></br> Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, <i>whether it be</i> of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/13-13.htm">Exodus 13:13</a></b></br> And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.</p><p class="hdg">the two hundred.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/3-47.htm">Numbers 3:47</a></b></br> Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take <i>them</i>: (the shekel <i>is</i> twenty gerahs:)</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/1-18.htm">Numbers 1:18,19</a></b></br> And they assembled all the congregation together on the first <i>day</i> of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls… </p><p class="hdg">which are</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/3-39.htm">Numbers 3:39-43</a></b></br> All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, <i>were</i> twenty and two thousand… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/3-45.htm">Children</a> <a href="/revelation/2-19.htm">Exceed</a> <a href="/exodus/16-18.htm">Excess</a> <a href="/numbers/3-45.htm">First</a> <a href="/numbers/3-45.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/numbers/3-45.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/numbers/3-43.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/numbers/3-45.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/3-42.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/numbers/3-45.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/numbers/3-43.htm">Male</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-20.htm">Price</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-27.htm">Ransom</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-29.htm">Ransomed</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-31.htm">Redeem</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-33.htm">Redeemed</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-52.htm">Redemption</a> <a href="/exodus/15-27.htm">Score</a> <a href="/numbers/3-43.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/numbers/3-43.htm">Seventy-Three</a> <a href="/numbers/3-43.htm">Thirteen</a> <a href="/numbers/3-43.htm">Three</a> <a href="/numbers/3-43.htm">Threescore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/3-50.htm">Children</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-3.htm">Exceed</a> <a href="/numbers/3-48.htm">Excess</a> <a href="/numbers/3-50.htm">First</a> <a href="/numbers/3-50.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/numbers/3-50.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/numbers/3-50.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/numbers/3-50.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/3-48.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/numbers/3-48.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/numbers/5-3.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/3-48.htm">Price</a> <a href="/numbers/3-48.htm">Ransom</a> <a href="/numbers/3-48.htm">Ransomed</a> <a href="/numbers/18-15.htm">Redeem</a> <a href="/numbers/3-48.htm">Redeemed</a> <a href="/numbers/3-48.htm">Redemption</a> <a href="/exodus/15-27.htm">Score</a> <a href="/numbers/7-13.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/ezra/2-36.htm">Seventy-Three</a> <a href="/numbers/29-13.htm">Thirteen</a> <a href="/numbers/3-50.htm">Three</a> <a href="/numbers/3-50.htm">Threescore</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-1.htm">The sons of Aaron</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-5.htm">The Levites are given to the priests instead of the firstborn</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-14.htm">Are numbered by their families</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-21.htm">The families, number, and charge of the Gershonites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-27.htm">Of the Kohathites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-33.htm">Of the Merarites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-38.htm">The place and charge of Moses and Aaron</a></span><br><span class="reftext">40. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-40.htm">The firstborn are freed by the Levites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">44. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/3-44.htm">The balances are refunded</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites</b><br>The concept of redemption in the Old Testament often involves a price paid to secure the release or freedom of someone or something. In this context, the redemption of the firstborn Israelites is a continuation of the principle established during the Passover in Egypt, where the firstborn of Israel were spared from death by the blood of the lamb (<a href="/exodus/12-12.htm">Exodus 12:12-13</a>). This act of redemption foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who redeems humanity from sin (<a href="/john/1-29.htm">John 1:29</a>). The specific number, 273, indicates the exact count of firstborn Israelites who exceeded the number of Levites, emphasizing God's attention to detail and order.<p><b>who outnumber the Levites</b><br>The Levites were set apart by God to serve in the tabernacle, taking the place of the firstborn sons of Israel as a special possession to the Lord (<a href="/numbers/3-12.htm">Numbers 3:12-13</a>). This substitution highlights the Levites' unique role and the concept of substitutionary atonement, which is a key theme in Christian theology. The fact that the firstborn Israelites outnumbered the Levites by 273 necessitated a redemption price, underscoring the principle that God requires a specific and adequate provision for redemption. This mirrors the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, which fully satisfies the requirements for humanity's redemption (<a href="/hebrews/10-10.htm">Hebrews 10:10-14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, who were chosen by God as His people. In this context, they are in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_levites.htm">The Levites</a></b><br>A tribe set apart by God to serve in the tabernacle and later in the temple. They were not given a portion of land like the other tribes but were dedicated to religious duties.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_firstborn.htm">The Firstborn</a></b><br>In Israelite culture, the firstborn held a special place and were considered to belong to God. This passage deals with the redemption of the firstborn sons of Israel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/redemption.htm">Redemption</a></b><br>A key concept in the Bible, referring to the act of being saved from sin, error, or evil. Here, it involves a literal redemption of the firstborn through a substitutionary payment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting for much of the book of Numbers, where the Israelites wandered for 40 years after leaving Egypt and before entering the Promised Land.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_principle_of_substitution.htm">The Principle of Substitution</a></b><br>The Levites were taken in place of the firstborn of Israel, illustrating the principle of substitution, which is foundational to the Christian understanding of Christ's atonement.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_order.htm">God's Sovereignty and Order</a></b><br>God’s command to redeem the firstborn shows His sovereign choice and the order He establishes among His people. It reminds us of the importance of obedience to God's instructions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_redemption.htm">The Value of Redemption</a></b><br>The redemption of the firstborn underscores the value God places on life and His provision for His people. It points to the ultimate redemption through Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_levites.htm">The Role of the Levites</a></b><br>The Levites' role as substitutes for the firstborn highlights the importance of service and dedication to God’s work, encouraging believers to consider their own roles in God’s kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_differing_census_counts.htm">Numbers 3 - How do we reconcile these population figures with other biblical passages that present different census counts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_redeem_273_extra_firstborns.htm">Numbers 3:43 – Why is there a mismatch requiring the redemption of 273 surplus firstborn, suggesting an uneven count? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_it_feasible_to_count_all_males_1+_month.htm">Numbers 3:15 - Is it realistic to gather and count every male from one month old and upward in a nomadic environment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_num._18_15-19_and_deut._differ.htm">Why does Numbers 18:15-19 differ in certain details from parallel instructions in Deuteronomy regarding firstborn offerings, and how can these discrepancies be reconciled?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/3-46.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">To redeem</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּדוּיֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(pə·ḏū·yê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6302.htm">Strong's 6302: </a> </span><span class="str2">That are to be that were redeemed </span><br /><br /><span class="word">the 273</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשְּׁלֹשָׁ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šə·lō·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> </span><span class="str2">Three, third, thrice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">firstborn</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבְּכ֖וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(mib·bə·ḵō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1060.htm">Strong's 1060: </a> </span><span class="str2">Firstborn, chief</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who outnumber</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעֹֽדְפִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ō·ḏə·p̄îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5736.htm">Strong's 5736: </a> </span><span class="str2">To remain over, be in excess</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Levites,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַלְוִיִּ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hal·wî·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendant of Levi</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/3-46.htm">Numbers 3:46 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/3-46.htm">Numbers 3:46 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/3-46.htm">Numbers 3:46 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/3-46.htm">Numbers 3:46 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/3-46.htm">Numbers 3:46 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/3-46.htm">Numbers 3:46 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/3-46.htm">Numbers 3:46 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/3-46.htm">Numbers 3:46 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/3-46.htm">Numbers 3:46 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/3-46.htm">Numbers 3:46 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/3-46.htm">OT Law: Numbers 3:46 For the redemption of the two hundred (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/3-45.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 3:45"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 3:45" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/3-47.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 3:47"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 3:47" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>