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4 Mose 3
Hoffnung für Alle

Gott bestimmt die Leviten zum Dienst am Heiligtum

3 Zu der Zeit, als der Herr am Berg Sinai mit Mose sprach, hatte Aaron[a] 2 vier Söhne. Der Älteste war Nadab, die anderen hießen Abihu, Eleasar und Itamar. 3 Sie waren zu Priestern gesalbt und in ihr Amt eingesetzt worden. 4 Doch Nadab und Abihu waren im Heiligtum in der Wüste Sinai gestorben, weil sie dem Herrn eigenmächtig ein Räucheropfer dargebracht hatten. Sie hatten keine Söhne. So blieben nur noch Eleasar und Itamar, die zusammen mit Aaron den Priesterdienst versahen.

5 Der Herr sprach zu Mose: 6 »Ruf die Männer vom Stamm Levi zusammen und lass sie zu Aaron kommen. Ich möchte, dass sie ihm helfen. 7 Sie sollen für ihn und die ganze Gemeinschaft der Israeliten die Arbeiten erledigen, die beim heiligen Zelt anfallen: 8 Sie haben die Aufgabe, die Werkzeuge und Gefäße in Ordnung zu halten und die Dienste zu verrichten, die ich den Israeliten aufgetragen habe. 9 Als einziger von allen Stämmen Israels sollen die Leviten Aaron und seinen Nachkommen zur Verfügung stehen. 10 Aber das Priesteramt selbst dürfen nur Aaron und seine Nachkommen ausüben. Jeder andere, der es eigenmächtig übernehmen will, muss getötet werden!«

11 Weiter sagte der Herr zu Mose: 12 »Du siehst, ich habe von allen Stämmen die Leviten ausgesucht. Ich nehme sie anstelle eurer ältesten Söhne, damit sie ganz für mich da sind. 13 Denn eigentlich gehören mir alle erstgeborenen Söhne und alle männlichen Tiere in Israel, die als erste zur Welt kommen. Ich habe sie zu meinem Eigentum erklärt, als ich den ältesten Söhnen der Ägypter das Leben nahm. Eure Erstgeborenen gehören mir, dem Herrn!«

Die Leviten werden gezählt

14 Dann sprach der Herr zu Mose in der Wüste Sinai: 15 »Zähle alle männlichen Leviten, die älter als einen Monat sind, und schreibe sie nach Sippen und Familien geordnet auf!«

16 Mose tat, was der Herr ihm befohlen hatte.

17 Der Stammvater Levi hatte drei Söhne gehabt: Gerschon, Kehat und Merari. 18 Gerschons Söhne waren Libni und Schimi, 19 Kehats Söhne hießen Amram, Jizhar, Hebron und Usiël, 20 und Meraris Söhne waren Machli und Muschi. Von ihnen allen stammen die Sippen der Leviten ab.

21 Die Libniter und Schimiter, die Nachkommen von Gerschon, 22 zählten 7500 Männer und Jungen, die älter als einen Monat waren. 23 Sie sollten im Westen hinter dem heiligen Zelt lagern. 24 Ihr Oberhaupt war Eljasaf, der Sohn von Laël. 25 Die Gerschoniter bekamen die Verantwortung für das heilige Zelt, für die Zeltdecke, den Vorhang am Zelteingang, 26 für die Vorhänge zur Abgrenzung des Vorhofs rings um Zelt und Altar, den Vorhang am Eingang des Vorhofs und die Seile. Ihnen wurden alle Arbeiten übertragen, die damit zusammenhingen.

27 Von Levis Sohn Kehat stammen die Sippen Amram, Jizhar, Hebron und Usiël ab. 28 Die Zahl ihrer Männer und Jungen, die älter als einen Monat waren und im Heiligtum dienen sollten, betrug 8600[b]. 29 Sie lagerten an der Südseite des heiligen Zeltes. 30 Ihr Oberhaupt war Elizafan, der Sohn von Usiël. 31 Den Kehatitern wurde die Verantwortung für die Bundeslade, den Tisch, den Leuchter und die Altäre übertragen, ebenso für den Vorhang zum Allerheiligsten und für die Gefäße und Werkzeuge, die im Heiligtum gebraucht wurden. Sie sollten alle Arbeiten erledigen, die damit zusammenhingen. 32 Das höchste Oberhaupt der Leviten war Eleasar, der Sohn des Priesters Aaron. Er hatte die Aufsicht über alle, die im Heiligtum dienten.

33 Von Levis Sohn Merari stammen die Sippen Machli und Muschi ab. 34 Sie zählten 6200 Männer und Jungen. 35 Ihr Oberhaupt war Zuriël, der Sohn von Abihajil. Sie sollten an der Nordseite des Heiligtums lagern. 36-37 Den Nachkommen von Merari übertrug man die Verantwortung für die Holzplatten der Zeltwände, die Querbalken, die Pfosten, Sockel und alle dazugehörigen Werkzeuge, außerdem für die Pfosten der Abgrenzung des Vorhofs, ihre Sockel, Pflöcke und Seile und für alle Arbeiten, die damit zusammenhingen.

38 Im Osten vor dem Eingang des heiligen Zeltes, in Richtung Sonnenaufgang, lagerten Mose und Aaron mit seinen Söhnen. Sie sollten den Dienst im Heiligtum ausüben, wie der Herr es den Israeliten befohlen hatte. Wer sich aber dem heiligen Zelt unerlaubt näherte, musste sterben.

39 Nach der Zählung, die Mose und Aaron im Auftrag des Herrn durchführten, gab es insgesamt 22.000 männliche Leviten, die einen Monat und älter waren.

Die Leviten ersetzen die Erstgeborenen

40 Dann sprach der Herr zu Mose: »Zähle alle erstgeborenen Söhne in Israel, die älter als einen Monat sind, und schreib ihre Namen auf. 41 Du sollst an ihrer Stelle die Leviten zu meinem Eigentum erklären, und anstelle der erstgeborenen männlichen Tiere der Israeliten sollst du mir das Vieh der Leviten geben.« 42 Mose tat, was der Herr ihm befohlen hatte, und ließ alle erstgeborenen Israeliten zählen, 43 die einen Monat und älter waren. Ihre Zahl betrug 22.273.

44 Der Herr sprach zu Mose: 45 »Die Leviten und ihr Vieh gehören nun mir, dem Herrn – anstelle der ältesten Söhne der anderen Israeliten und ihrer erstgeborenen männlichen Tiere. 46 Da es nun mehr Erstgeborene als Leviten gibt, sollen die 273 überzähligen Erstgeborenen freigekauft werden. 47 Nimm für jeden von ihnen 5 Silberstücke zu je 12 Gramm, nach dem Gewicht, das im Heiligtum gilt! 48 Dieses Geld, das aus dem Loskauf der überzähligen Erstgeborenen zusammenkommt, sollen Aaron und seine Söhne erhalten.«

49-50 Mose ließ sich das Silber von den erstgeborenen Israeliten geben. Es waren 1365 Silberstücke, die zusammen etwa 16 Kilogramm wogen. 51 Er gab das Silber Aaron und seinen Söhnen, wie der Herr es ihm aufgetragen hatte.

Footnotes

  1. 3,1 Wörtlich: … hatten Aaron und Mose diese Nachkommen: (Vers 2) Die Namen der Söhne Aarons waren …
  2. 3,28 Oder nach einigen griechischen Handschriften: 8300. – Vgl. die in Vers 39 genannte Summe.
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Numbers 3
Legacy Standard Bible

Priests and Levites

3 (A)Now these are the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when Yahweh spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. 2 (B)These then are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the (C)anointed priests, whom he [a]ordained to minister as priests. 4 (D)But Nadab and Abihu died before Yahweh when they offered strange fire before Yahweh in the wilderness of Sinai; and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests [b]in the lifetime of their father Aaron.

5 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 6 “(E)Bring the tribe of Levi near and have them stand before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. 7 And they shall keep his responsibility and the responsibility for the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, to perform the (F)service of the tabernacle. 8 They shall also keep all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, along with the responsibility of the sons of Israel, to perform the service of the [c]tabernacle. 9 You shall thus (G)give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons; they are wholly given to him from among the sons of Israel. 10 So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons that (H)they may keep their priesthood, but (I)the [d]outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”

11 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Now, behold, I (J)have taken the Levites from among the sons of Israel instead of every (K)firstborn, the first offspring of the womb among the sons of Israel. So the Levites shall be Mine. 13 For (L)all the firstborn are Mine; on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be Mine; I am Yahweh.”

14 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses (M)in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, 15 “[e](N)Number the sons of Levi by their fathers’ households, by their families; every male from a month old and upward you shall [f]number.” 16 So Moses numbered them according to the [g]word of Yahweh, just as he had been commanded. 17 (O)These then are the sons of Levi by their names:

Gershon and Kohath and Merari.
18 And these are the names of the (P)sons of Gershon by their families:
Libni and Shimei;
19 and the sons of Kohath by their families:
Amram and Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel;
20 and the sons of Merari by their families:
Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ households.

21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimeites; these were the families of the Gershonites. 22 Their numbered men, in the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, even their numbered men were 7,500. 23 The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle westward, 24 and the leader of the fathers’ households of the Gershonites was Eliasaph the son of Lael.

Responsibilities of the Priests

25 Now (Q)the responsibility of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting involved the tabernacle and (R)the tent, its covering, and (S)the screen for the doorway of the tent of meeting, 26 and (T)the hangings of the court, and (U)the screen for the doorway of the court which is around the tabernacle and the altar, and its cords, according to all the service [h]concerning them.

27 Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites and the family of the Izharites and the family of the Hebronites and the family of the Uzzielites; these were the families of the Kohathites. 28 In the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, there were 8,600, keeping the responsibility of the sanctuary. 29 The families of the sons of Kohath were to camp on the southward side of the tabernacle, 30 and the leader of the fathers’ households of the Kohathite families was [i]Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. 31 Now (V)their responsibility involved (W)the ark, (X)the table, (Y)the lampstand, (Z)the altars, and the utensils of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the screen, and all the service [j]concerning them; 32 and Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was the chief of the leaders of Levi and had the oversight of those who keep the responsibility of the sanctuary.

33 Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari. 34 And their numbered men, in the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, were 6,200. 35 And the leader of the fathers’ households of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. They were to (AA)camp on the northward side of the tabernacle. 36 Now the appointed responsibility of the sons of Merari involved the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its bases, all its equipment, and the service concerning them, 37 and the pillars around the court with their bases and their pegs and their cords.

38 Now those who were to (AB)camp before the tabernacle eastward, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, are Moses and Aaron and his sons, keeping the responsibility of the sanctuary for the responsibility of the sons of Israel; but (AC)the [k]outsider coming near was to be put to death. 39 All the numbered men of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the [l]command of Yahweh by their families, every male from a month old and upward, were (AD)22,000.

Redemption of the Firstborn

40 Then Yahweh said to Moses, “(AE)Number every firstborn male of the sons of Israel from a month old and upward, and [m]make a list of their names. 41 And you (AF)shall take the Levites for Me, I am Yahweh, instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the sons of Israel.” 42 So Moses numbered all the firstborn among the sons of Israel, just as Yahweh had commanded him; 43 and all the firstborn males by the number of names from a month old and upward, for their numbered men were (AG)22,273.

44 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 45 “(AH)Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel and the cattle of the Levites. And the Levites shall be Mine; I am Yahweh. 46 (AI)For the redemption price of the 273 of the firstborn of the sons of Israel who are in excess beyond the Levites, 47 you shall take (AJ)five [n]shekels apiece, per head; you shall take them in (AK)terms of the shekel of the sanctuary ((AL)the shekel is twenty [o]gerahs), 48 and give the money, the redemption price of those who are in excess among them, to Aaron and to his sons.” 49 So Moses took the money of the redemption price from those who were in excess, beyond those redeemed by the Levites; 50 from the firstborn of the sons of Israel he took the money in terms of the shekel of the sanctuary, 1,365. 51 Then Moses gave the money of the redemption price to Aaron and to his sons, at the [p]command of Yahweh, just as Yahweh had commanded Moses.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 3:3 Lit filled their hand
  2. Numbers 3:4 Lit before the face
  3. Numbers 3:8 Lit dwelling place, so in ch
  4. Numbers 3:10 Lit stranger
  5. Numbers 3:15 Lit Muster
  6. Numbers 3:15 Lit muster, so in ch
  7. Numbers 3:16 Lit mouth
  8. Numbers 3:26 Lit of it
  9. Numbers 3:30 In Ex 6:22, Elzaphan
  10. Numbers 3:31 Lit of it
  11. Numbers 3:38 Lit stranger
  12. Numbers 3:39 Lit word
  13. Numbers 3:40 Lit take the number
  14. Numbers 3:47 A shekel was approx. 0.4 oz. or 11 gm
  15. Numbers 3:47 A gerah was approx. 0.025 oz. or 0.7 gm
  16. Numbers 3:51 Lit mouth
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Numbers 3
New International Version

The Levites

3 This is the account of the family of Aaron and Moses(A) at the time the Lord spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai.(B)

2 The names of the sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn(C) and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.(D) 3 Those were the names of Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests,(E) who were ordained to serve as priests. 4 Nadab and Abihu, however, died before the Lord(F) when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai.(G) They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar(H) served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.(I)

5 The Lord said to Moses, 6 “Bring the tribe of Levi(J) and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.(K) 7 They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community(L) at the tent of meeting by doing the work(M) of the tabernacle. 8 They are to take care of all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, fulfilling the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the tabernacle. 9 Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons;(N) they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him.[a] 10 Appoint Aaron(O) and his sons to serve as priests;(P) anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is to be put to death.”(Q)

11 The Lord also said to Moses, 12 “I have taken the Levites(R) from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring(S) of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine,(T) 13 for all the firstborn are mine.(U) When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether human or animal. They are to be mine. I am the Lord.”(V)

14 The Lord said to Moses in the Desert of Sinai,(W) 15 “Count(X) the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more.”(Y) 16 So Moses counted them, as he was commanded by the word of the Lord.

17 These were the names of the sons of Levi:(Z)

Gershon,(AA) Kohath(AB) and Merari.(AC)

18 These were the names of the Gershonite clans:

Libni and Shimei.(AD)

19 The Kohathite clans:

Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.(AE)

20 The Merarite clans:(AF)

Mahli and Mushi.(AG)

These were the Levite clans, according to their families.

21 To Gershon(AH) belonged the clans of the Libnites and Shimeites;(AI) these were the Gershonite clans. 22 The number of all the males a month old or more who were counted was 7,500. 23 The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle.(AJ) 24 The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael. 25 At the tent of meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle(AK) and tent, its coverings,(AL) the curtain at the entrance(AM) to the tent of meeting,(AN) 26 the curtains of the courtyard(AO), the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,(AP) and the ropes(AQ)—and everything(AR) related to their use.

27 To Kohath(AS) belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites;(AT) these were the Kohathite(AU) clans. 28 The number of all the males a month old or more(AV) was 8,600.[b] The Kohathites were responsible(AW) for the care of the sanctuary.(AX) 29 The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side(AY) of the tabernacle. 30 The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan(AZ) son of Uzziel. 31 They were responsible for the care of the ark,(BA) the table,(BB) the lampstand,(BC) the altars,(BD) the articles(BE) of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain,(BF) and everything related to their use.(BG) 32 The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar(BH) son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible(BI) for the care of the sanctuary.(BJ)

33 To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites;(BK) these were the Merarite clans.(BL) 34 The number of all the males a month old or more(BM) who were counted was 6,200. 35 The leader of the families of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.(BN) 36 The Merarites were appointed(BO) to take care of the frames of the tabernacle,(BP) its crossbars,(BQ) posts,(BR) bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,(BS) 37 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard(BT) with their bases, tent pegs(BU) and ropes.

38 Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east(BV) of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, in front of the tent of meeting.(BW) They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary(BX) on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.(BY)

39 The total number of Levites counted(BZ) at the Lord’s command by Moses and Aaron according to their clans, including every male a month old or more, was 22,000.(CA)

40 The Lord said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn Israelite males who are a month old or more(CB) and make a list of their names.(CC) 41 Take the Levites for me in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites,(CD) and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites. I am the Lord.”(CE)

42 So Moses counted all the firstborn of the Israelites, as the Lord commanded him. 43 The total number of firstborn males a month old or more,(CF) listed by name, was 22,273.(CG)

44 The Lord also said to Moses, 45 “Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites are to be mine.(CH) I am the Lord.(CI) 46 To redeem(CJ) the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites, 47 collect five shekels[c](CK) for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel,(CL) which weighs twenty gerahs.(CM) 48 Give the money for the redemption(CN) of the additional Israelites to Aaron and his sons.”(CO)

49 So Moses collected the redemption money(CP) from those who exceeded the number redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn of the Israelites(CQ) he collected silver weighing 1,365 shekels,[d](CR) according to the sanctuary shekel. 51 Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, as he was commanded by the word of the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 3:9 Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; some manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint (see also 8:16) to me
  2. Numbers 3:28 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts 8,300
  3. Numbers 3:47 That is, about 2 ounces or about 58 grams
  4. Numbers 3:50 That is, about 35 pounds or about 16 kilograms
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Numbers 3
Evangelical Heritage Version

Aaron’s Sons and the Duties of the Levites

3 This is the family history of Aaron and Moses at the time when the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.

2 These are the names of Aaron’s sons: Nadab the firstborn, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests.

4 Nadab and Abihu died in the presence of the Lord when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord in the Wilderness of Sinai, and they had no sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the presence of Aaron their father.

5 The Lord spoke to Moses: 6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near and have them stand before Aaron the priest so that they may assist him. 7 They will perform the duties for him and for the entire congregation in front of the Tent of Meeting by doing the work for the Dwelling. 8 They will take care of all the furnishings for the Tent of Meeting and perform the duties of the Israelites by doing the work for the Dwelling. 9 You will give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons. They are completely given to him from among the Israelites. 10 But you will appoint Aaron and his sons, and they will serve in the priesthood. Any unauthorized person who goes near must be put to death.”

The Census of the Levites

11 The Lord spoke to Moses, 12 “See, I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites instead of every firstborn that opens the womb among the Israelites. The Levites are mine, 13 for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, both human and animal. They are mine. I am the Lord.”

14 The Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, 15 “Register the Levites according to their fathers’ houses, by their clans. You are to register every male a month old and up.”

16 So Moses registered them as he was commanded by the word of the Lord.

17 These were the names of the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

18 These were the names of the sons of Gershon according to their clans: Libni and Shimei.
19 The sons of Kohath according to their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
20 The sons of Merari according to their clans were Mahli and Mushi.

The following were the clans of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.

21 From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan. These were the Gershonite clans. 22 Those who were registered, counting all the males who were a month old and up, were 7,500. 23 The Gershonite clans camped behind the Dwelling on the west side. 24 The tribal chief of the father’s house for the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael. 25 The duties of the descendants of Gershon in the Tent of Meeting involved the dwelling and the tent,[a] its coverings, and the screen for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, 26 also the hangings of the courtyard, and the screen for the entrance to the courtyard which surrounds the Dwelling and the altar, and its ropes—everything related to this work.

27 From Kohath came the Amramite clan, the Izharite clan, the Hebronite clan, and the Uzzielite clan. These were the Kohathite clans. 28 Counting all the males who were a month old and up, there were 8,600 to perform the duties of the sanctuary. 29 The clans of the descendants of Kohath camped on the south side of the Dwelling. 30 The tribal chief of the father’s house for the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan son of Uzziel. 31 Their duties involved the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the sanctuary utensils with which they serve, and the screen—everything related to this work. 32 The tribal chief over the Levite tribal chiefs was Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest. He was in charge of those performing the duties of the sanctuary.

33 From Merari came the Mahlite clan and the Mushite clan. These were the Merarite clans. 34 Those who were registered, counting all the males who were a month old and up, were 6,200. 35 The tribal chief of the father’s house for the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail. They camped on the north side of the Dwelling. 36 The appointed duties for the sons of Merari involved the Dwelling’s boards, its crossbars, its posts, its bases, all its equipment—everything related to this work, 37 also the posts for the surrounding courtyard, their bases, their tent pegs, and their ropes.

38 Those who camped in front of the Dwelling on the east side, in front of the Tent of Meeting, toward the sunrise, were Moses and Aaron and Aaron’s sons, who were performing the duties of the sanctuary on behalf of the Israelites. Any unauthorized person who goes near shall be put to death. 39 All of the Levities who were registered when the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron to register them according to their clans, every male a month old and up, were 22,000.

Redemption of the Firstborn

40 The Lord said to Moses, “Register all the firstborn males of the Israelites one month old and up, and make a list of their names. 41 You are to take the Levites for me—I am the Lord—instead of every firstborn among the Israelites, and take the livestock of the Levites instead of every firstborn among the livestock of the Israelites.” 42 So Moses registered all the firstborn among the Israelites as the Lord commanded. 43 All the firstborn males listed by name, one month old and up, when registered, totaled 22,273.

44 The Lord spoke to Moses: 45 “Take the Levites instead of every firstborn among the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock. The Levites will be mine. I am the Lord. 46 For the redemption of the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites, 47 you are to collect five shekels apiece for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel (this shekel is twenty gerahs[b]). 48 You are to give the money, the redemption price for the additional Israelites, to Aaron and his sons.”

49 Moses collected the redemption money from those who outnumbered the ones redeemed by the Levites who took their place. 50 He collected the money from the firstborn of the Israelites, 1,365 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. 51 Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and to his sons, in obedience to the word of the Lord, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 3:25 The term dwelling here refers to the innermost covering of the Dwelling. The tent is the layer above the dwelling.
  2. Numbers 3:47 The exact value of most ancient weights and measures is uncertain, and there was no universal standard. The sanctuary had its own set of official weights. A shekel is about 10 to 12 grams or .4 to .5 of an ounce, with the sanctuary shekel being slightly larger than the common shekel. There is no independent evidence for the weight of a gerah.
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