Numbers 8:16

16 They are given over to me from the Israelites in place of all the newborn, the oldest of all the Israelites. I take them for myself.

Numbers 8:16 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 8:16

For they [are] wholly given unto me from among the children
of Israel
All of them, entirely, and most certainly; or, "given, given" ^F21, which is repeated for the confirmation of it; or because of their being twice given, first to the Lord by the children of Israel, and then by the Lord to Aaron and his sons, as Chaskuni; though Jarchi interprets it of the different parts of their service they were devoted to, given for bearing and carrying the vessels of the sanctuary, and given for the song, or to be singers in the temple:

instead of such as open, every womb, [even instead of] the firstborn
of all the children of Israel have I taken them unto me;
(See Gill on Numbers 3:12), and (See Gill on Numbers 3:13).

---

FOOTNOTES:

F21 (Myntn Myntn) "dati, dati", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; so Drusius and Ainsworth.

Numbers 8:16 In-Context

14 You will separate the Levites from the Israelites, and the Levites will be mine.

15 The Levites will enter to serve the meeting tent, after you have cleansed them and presented them as an uplifted offering.

16 They are given over to me from the Israelites in place of all the newborn, the oldest of all the Israelites. I take them for myself.

17 Every oldest male among the Israelites is mine, whether human or animal. When I killed all the oldest males in the land of Egypt, I dedicated them to myself.

18 I have taken the Levites in place of all the oldest among the Israelites.