Numbers 3:46

46 As the redemption price for the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the 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 spoke to Moses again:

45 "Take the Levites in place of every firstborn among the Israelites, and the Levites' cattle in place of their cattle. The Levites belong to Me; I am the Lord.

46 As the redemption price for the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites,

47 collect five shekels for each person, according to the standard sanctuary shekel-20 gerahs to the shekel.

48 Give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for those who are in excess among the Israelites."