Numbers 3:49

49 And Moses took the ransom-money from them that were over and above those who were ransomed by the 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 thou shalt take five shekels apiece by the poll, according to the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them, -- twenty gerahs the shekel;

48 and thou shalt give the money unto Aaron and unto his sons for those in excess among them who are to be ransomed.

49 And Moses took the ransom-money from them that were over and above those who were ransomed by the Levites;

50 of the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, a thousand three hundred and sixty-five [shekels], according to the shekel of the sanctuary.

51 And Moses gave the money of them that were ransomed to Aaron and to his sons, according to the commandment of Jehovah, -- as Jehovah had commanded Moses.