Bamidbar 3:45

45 Take the Levi’im instead of all the bechor among the Bnei Yisroel, and the cattle of the Levi’im instead of their cattle; and the Levi’im shall be Mine: I am Hashem.

Bamidbar 3:45 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 3:45

Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the
children of Israel
The Lord had declared before that he had taken them, and now he bids Moses take them, who had numbered them, and give them to Aaron, instead of the firstborn, whose numbers were also taken for this purpose:

and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle;
but not to be given to Aaron and his sons, or to the priests for their use, but to remain with the Levites for their use, who were now separated from the other tribes, and taken into the service of God; and as they were dedicated to God, so their cattle likewise for their support as his ministers:

and the Levites shall be mine;
in a special manner his, being devoted to his service:

I [am] the Lord;
who had a right to do this, and expected to be obeyed in it.

Bamidbar 3:45 In-Context

43 And it came about that all the bechor zakhar by the number of shmot, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.

44 And Hashem spoke unto Moshe, saying,

45 Take the Levi’im instead of all the bechor among the Bnei Yisroel, and the cattle of the Levi’im instead of their cattle; and the Levi’im shall be Mine: I am Hashem.

46 And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the bechor of the Bnei Yisroel, which are more than the Levi’im;

47 Thou shalt even take five shekels for each one individually, after the shekel of HaKodesh shalt thou take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs) [Vayikra 27:6];