Numbers 3:46

46 Since there are 273 more firstborn sons than 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 The Lord also said to Moses,

45 "Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn sons of the Israelites, and take the animals of the Levites instead of the animals of the other people. The Levites are mine. I am the Lord.

46 Since there are 273 more firstborn sons than Levites,

47 collect two ounces of silver for each of the 273 sons. Use the measure as set by the Holy Place, which is two-fifths of an ounce.

48 Give the silver to Aaron and his sons as the payment for the 273 Israelites."