Numbers 3:49

49 And Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those who were redeemed by 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 thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by head count; according to the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs).

48 And thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons."

49 And Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those who were redeemed by the Levites.

50 Of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money, a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.

51 And Moses gave the money of those who were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.