Numbers 3:45

45 "Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites are mine, I am God.

Numbers 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.

Numbers 3:45 In-Context

43 The total of firstborn males one month and older, listed by name, numbered 22,273.

44 Again God spoke to Moses. He said,

45 "Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites are mine, I am God.

46 Redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of Levites

47 by collecting five shekels for each one, using the Sanctuary shekel (the shekel weighing twenty gerahs).