Numbers 3:13-23

13 for each first engendered (male) thing is mine; since the time I smote the first engendered (male) thing in the land of Egypt, I have hallowed to me whatever (male) thing is born first in Israel (I have consecrated to myself whatever male is first-born in Israel); from man unto beast they be mine; I am the Lord.

14 And the Lord spake to Moses in the desert of Sinai, and said,

15 Number thou the sons of Levi by their fathers? houses, and by their families, each male from one month and above (every male one month of age and older).

16 [And] Moses numbered them, as the Lord commanded.

17 And the sons of Levi were found, by their names, Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari;

18 the sons of Gershon were Libni, and Shimei;

19 the sons of Kohath were Amram, and Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel;

20 and the sons of Merari were Mahli, and Mushi.

21 Of Gershon were two families, (they) of Libni, and (they) of Shimei;

22 of which the people of male kind was numbered, from one month and above, seven thousand and five hundred. (of whom the number of the males, who were one month of age and older, was seven thousand and five hundred.)

23 These shall set tents behind the tabernacle at the west part, (They shall pitch their tents behind the Tabernacle, on the west side,)

Numbers 3:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 3

In this chapter an account is given of the genealogy of the priests and Levites, and of the gift of the Levites to the priests, of the numbering of them, and the service they were to perform; and first of the priests, the sons of Aaron, Nu 3:1-4; and then of the Levites, as given unto them, to wait upon them, and assist them, Nu 3:5-10; and these were taken instead of the firstborn, Nu 3:11-13; and ordered to be numbered, which was done accordingly by their families, Nu 3:14-20; and the sum of each is given, and the particular work assigned to them; of the Gershonites, Nu 3:21-26; of the Kohathites, Nu 3:27-32; of the Merarites, Nu 3:33-38; the sum total of them is given, Nu 3:39; then the firstborn of the children of Israel, from a month old are ordered to be numbered, and were, Nu 3:40-43; and these appearing to be more in number than the Levites, by two hundred seventy three a direction is given that the two hundred seventy three should be redeemed at the rate of five, shekels apiece, and the money paid to Aaron and his sons, Nu 3:44-48; which was accordingly done, Nu 3:49-51.