Numbers 3:49

49 So Moses collected the silver for redeeming the firstborn sons of Israel who exceeded the number of Levites.

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 five pieces of silver for each of them (each piece weighing the same as the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs).

48 Give the silver to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for the extra firstborn sons.”

49 So Moses collected the silver for redeeming the firstborn sons of Israel who exceeded the number of Levites.

50 He collected 1,365 pieces of silver on behalf of these firstborn sons of Israel (each piece weighing the same as the sanctuary shekel).

51 And Moses gave the silver for the redemption to Aaron and his sons, just as the LORD had commanded.