Numeri 3:1-6

1 Und dies sind die Geschlechter Aarons und Moses, an dem Tage, da Jehova auf dem Berge Sinai mit Mose redete.

2 Und dies sind die Namen der Söhne Aarons: der Erstgeborene Nadab, und Abihu, Eleasar und Ithamar.

3 Das sind die Namen der Söhne Aarons, der gesalbten Priester, die geweiht worden waren, um den Priesterdienst auszuüben.

4 Und Nadab und Abihu starben vor Jehova, als sie in der Wüste Sinai fremdes Feuer vor Jehova darbrachten; und sie hatten keine Söhne. Und Eleasar und Ithamar übten den Priesterdienst vor ihrem Vater Aaron aus.

5 Und Jehova redete zu Mose und sprach:

6 Laß den Stamm Levi herzunahen und stelle ihn vor Aaron, den Priester, daß sie ihm dienen;

Numeri 3:1-6 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.