And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel. ] Gave up his right in the firstborn, and instead of them took the Levites for his use and service: see ( Numbers 3:12 ) .
16
They will be given completely to me from the Israelites; I have taken them for myself instead of the firstborn of every Israelite woman.
17
All the firstborn in Israel -- people or animals -- are mine. When I killed all the firstborn in Egypt, I set the firstborn in Israel aside for myself.
18
But I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn in Israel.
19
From all the Israelites I have given the Levites to Aaron and his sons so that they may serve the Israelites at the Meeting Tent. They will help remove the Israelites' sins so they will belong to the Lord and so that no disaster will strike the Israelites when they approach the Holy Place."
20
So Moses, Aaron, and all the Israelites obeyed and did with the Levites what the Lord commanded Moses.