Numbers 3:49

49 So Moses collected the silver from the additional sons in Israel to buy their freedom. The Levites took the place of all of the others.

Numbers 3:49 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 3:49

And Moses took the redemption money
Of five shekels per head:

of them that were over and above redeemed by the Levites;
or were more than those redeemed by them. A Levite redeemed a firstborn, or freed him from the redemption price, being taken in lieu of him: 22,000 Levites were answerable to 22,000 firstborn of Israel; but as there were no more Levites than the above number, there remained two hundred seventy three firstborn to be redeemed by money, and it was the redemption money of these Moses took.

Numbers 3:49 In-Context

47 Collect two ounces of silver for each of them. Weigh it out in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent.

48 Give the silver to Aaron and his sons. It will buy the freedom of the additional sons in Israel."

49 So Moses collected the silver from the additional sons in Israel to buy their freedom. The Levites took the place of all of the others.

50 Moses collected 35 pounds of silver. It was weighed out in keeping with the weights that are used in the sacred tent. Moses collected it from the oldest sons in Israel.

51 He gave the silver to Aaron and his sons. He did just as the LORD had commanded him.