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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Numbers 3:38 - 3:51
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final regulations
v. 38. But those that encamp before the Tabernacle toward the east, even before the Tabernacle of the Congregation eastward, for its entrance was on that side, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the Sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel, performing the duties of the priesthood for all the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death, v. 10.
v. 39. All that were numbered of the Levites which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the Lord, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand, in round numbers, the exact figure being 22,300, or the three hundred were subtracted, as the Jews say, because they themselves were first-born and could therefore not be used in a comparison with the other tribes.
v. 40. And the Lord said unto Moses, Number all the first-born of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.
v. 41. And thou shalt take the Levites for Me (I am the Lord) instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel, as their substitutes in the service of the Sanctuary; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel, to be consecrated to the Lord and by Him designated for the use of the Levites.
v. 42. And Moses numbered, as the Lord commanded him, all the first-born among the children of Israel.
v. 43. And all the first-born 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 (22,273).
v. 44. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
v. 45. Take the Levites instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be Mine. I am the Lord.
v. 46. And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the first-born of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;
v. 47. thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll (about $3. 20), after the shekel of the Sanctuary shalt thou take them, this being the standard of weight; (the shekel is twenty gerahs;)
v. 48. and thou shalt give the money wherewith the odd, the surplus, number of them is to be redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, as ransom money.
v. 49. And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites, the 22,000 that were ransomed by the equal number of the Levites;
v. 50. of the first-born of the children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels, after the shekel of the Sanctuary (1,365 shekels being about equal to $4,368);
v. 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. Although the men in the service of the ministry of the Word in the New Testament are supported by voluntary gifts, these gifts, for all of that, should not be less plentiful than were those under the Law.