Numbers 3:11

11 And the Lord spake to Moses, saying,

Numbers 3:11 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 3:11

And the Lord spake unto Moses
Continued to speak unto him, and give him the reason of his appointing the Levites to minister to the priests and serve the tabernacle:

saying:
as follows.

Numbers 3:11 In-Context

9 And thou shalt give by free gift the Levites to Aaron and to his sons, to whom they be given (out) of the sons of Israel. (And thou shalt give the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons, to whom they be given from all the Israelites.)

10 Soothly thou shalt ordain Aaron and his sons on the religion of priesthood; a stranger that nigheth for to minister, shall die. (And thou shalt ordain Aaron and his sons to serve in the priesthood; a stranger who cometh near to try to minister, shall be put to death.)

11 And the Lord spake to Moses, saying,

12 I have taken the Levites (out) of the sons of Israel for each first engendered (male) thing that openeth the womb in the sons of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine,

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.