Numbers 3:46

46 Forsooth in the price of two hundred and seventy and three persons, that pass the number of the Levites, of the first begotten (sons) of the sons of Israel, (And as payment to buy back the two hundred and seventy-three persons, of the first-born sons of the Israelites, who surpass the number of the Levites,)

Numbers 3:46 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 3:46

And for those that are to be redeemed
With money, there being not Levites enough to answer to them, and exchange for them:

of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the
children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;
for the sum total of the Levites, as given, was but 22,000, ( Numbers 3:39 ) , whereas the sum total of the firstborn of Israel were 22,273, ( Numbers 3:43 ) , so that there were, two hundred seventy three more of the latter than of the former; and what was to be done with these next follows.

Numbers 3:46 In-Context

44 And the Lord spake to Moses, and said,

45 Take thou the Levites for the first begotten of the sons of Israel, and take the beasts of the Levites for the beasts of them, and the Levites shall be mine; I am the Lord. (Now give me the Levites in place of all the first-born sons of the Israelites, and the beasts of the Levites in place of the first-born male beasts of the Israelites, and so the Levites shall be mine; I am the Lord.)

46 Forsooth in the price of two hundred and seventy and three persons, that pass the number of the Levites, of the first begotten (sons) of the sons of Israel, (And as payment to buy back the two hundred and seventy-three persons, of the first-born sons of the Israelites, who surpass the number of the Levites,)

47 thou shalt take five shekels by each head, at the measure of the saintuary (thou shalt take five shekels for each one, by the measure of the sanctuary); a shekel hath twenty halfpence;

48 and thou shalt give the money to Aaron and to his sons, the price of them that be numbered above (the number of the Levites). (and thou shalt give this money to Aaron and to his sons, as payment for those who be listed, or registered, above the number of the Levites.)