And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.

NUMBERS 3:43KJV
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Numbers 3:43 (KJV)

What does Numbers 3:43 mean?

Numbers 3:43 reports the total number of firstborn males among the Israelites, counted by name, who were at least one month old: 22,273 in all. This number comes from a census God commanded Moses to take, specifically counting the firstborn sons.

In this part of the book of Numbers, God is instructing Moses and Aaron as they organize the people of Israel in the wilderness. The census of firstborn males is significant because God had claimed the firstborn of Israel for Himself after the Exodus from Egypt. This count sets up the next steps, where the Levites are set apart to serve in place of these firstborn sons.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 3:43

  • "firstborn" (בְּכוֹר, bekhor): This word refers to the first male child born in each family, which held special significance in Israelite culture and law. Here, it marks those who were considered set apart for God.
  • "number" (מִסְפָּר, mispar): This word emphasizes that the count was precise and official, not just an estimate.
  • "names" (שֵׁם, shem): The census was by name, highlighting that each individual was accounted for personally, not just as part of a group.
  • "month" (חֹדֶשׁ, chodesh): Only those at least one month old were counted, likely because infants younger than this were especially vulnerable and not yet fully counted among the people.

Why Numbers 3:43 matters

  • Numbers 3:43 clarifies that the census was not just a rough count, but a careful, individual listing of every firstborn male, showing the seriousness of the task.
  • The verse sets up the exchange between the firstborn Israelites and the Levites, which is a key moment in Israel’s religious history and organization.
  • Understanding this number helps explain the later instructions about redemption payments for the extra firstborn who outnumbered the Levites, tying the census to the practical arrangements for worship and service.

Where else these words appear

“males” Hebrew H2145 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
  • Leviticus 12:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
  • Deuteronomy 4:16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,

“thirteen” Hebrew H7657 · used in 90 verses

  • Genesis 4:24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
  • Numbers 7:79 His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
  • 2 Chronicles 2:2 And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.

“firstborn” Hebrew H1060 · used in 96 verses

  • Genesis 10:15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
  • Numbers 3:40 And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:27 And the sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were, Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker.

“number” Hebrew H4557 · used in 129 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 33:6 Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.
  • Ezra 3:4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;