And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;

NUMBERS 3:46KJV
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Numbers 3:46 (KJV)

What does Numbers 3:46 mean?

Numbers 3:46 explains that there were more firstborn sons among the Israelites than there were Levites, so the extra firstborn sons—beyond the number of Levites—needed to be redeemed. This means a special payment or ritual was required for those extra firstborn sons, since the Levites were being set apart in place of the firstborn for service to God.

In this passage, God is speaking to Moses as part of instructions about the Levites’ special role. The Levites are being chosen to serve in the tabernacle instead of the firstborn sons from every other tribe. Since there were 273 more firstborn sons than Levites, those extra firstborn could not be directly replaced by a Levite and so had to be redeemed through a payment.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 3:46

  • "redeemed" (פָּדָה, padah): This word means to buy back or release by paying a price. Here, it refers to the process of making a payment for the extra firstborn sons who could not be exchanged for a Levite.
  • "firstborn" (בְּכוֹר, bekhor): This word means the first child born to a mother. In Israelite tradition, the firstborn had special significance and belonged to God, which is why they needed to be redeemed if not replaced by a Levite.
  • "more" (יָתַר, yatar): This word means "to be left over" or "to remain." It highlights that there were more firstborn sons than Levites, which is the reason for the redemption process.
  • "Levites" (לֵוִי, Levi): Refers to the tribe set apart for service in the tabernacle. Their special role is central to the arrangement described in this verse.

Why Numbers 3:46 matters

  • Numbers 3:46 clarifies why a redemption payment was needed: not every firstborn son could be exchanged one-for-one with a Levite, so the extra firstborn required a different solution.
  • This verse highlights the careful, organized way God instructed the Israelites to handle sacred responsibilities, showing attention to fairness and detail.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the wider passage, where the Levites are set apart for service and the principle of redemption is established for the firstborn.

Where else these words appear

“redeemed” Hebrew H6302 · used in 4 verses

  • Numbers 3:48 And thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons.
  • Numbers 3:49 And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites:
  • Numbers 3:51 And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

“more” Hebrew H5736 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 16:18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.
  • Exodus 26:12 And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle.
  • Leviticus 25:27 Then let him count the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; that he may return unto his possession.

“than” Hebrew H5921 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Genesis 31:50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:28 And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale.

“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.