Numbers 3:49

49 So Moses took this ransom money from the Israelites who outnumbered 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 It will cost you two ounces of silver per person (using the standard weight of the holy place) to buy them back.

48 Give the silver to Aaron and his sons. It will buy back those Israelites who outnumber the Levites."

49 So Moses took this ransom money from the Israelites who outnumbered the Levites.

50 The silver Moses collected for the firstborn Israelites weighed 34 pounds using the standard weight of the holy place.

51 Then Moses did what the LORD said and gave Aaron and his sons this ransom money as he had been commanded.