Numbers 3:46

46 And for the ransoms of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the sons of Israel, who are more than the Levites,

Numbers 3:46 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 3:46

And for those that are to be redeemed
With money, there being not Levites enough to answer to them, and exchange for them:

of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the
children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;
for the sum total of the Levites, as given, was but 22,000, ( Numbers 3:39 ) , whereas the sum total of the firstborn of Israel were 22,273, ( Numbers 3:43 ) , so that there were, two hundred seventy three more of the latter than of the former; and what was to be done with these next follows.

Numbers 3:46 In-Context

44 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying,

45 Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel and the animals of the Levites instead of their animals, and the Levites shall be mine; I am the LORD.

46 And for the ransoms of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the sons of Israel, who are more than the Levites,

47 thou shalt take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them (the shekel is of twenty gerahs).

48 And thou shalt give the money, of the ransoms of the odd number of them, unto Aaron and to his sons.