King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;
Complete Jewish Bible:
"I have taken the L'vi'im from among the people of Isra'el in lieu of every firstborn male that is first from the womb among the people of Isra'el; the L'vi'im are to be mine.
Berean Standard Bible:
“Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to Me,
American Standard Version:
And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the first-born that openeth the womb among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And I, behold, I have taken{H3947} the Levites{H3881} from among{H8432} the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} instead of all the firstborn{H1060} that openeth{H6363} the matrix{H7358} among the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}: therefore the Levites{H3881} shall be mine;
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 3:41
- And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I [am] the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.
Numbers 8:16
- For they [are] wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, [even instead of] the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
Numbers 3:45
- Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn 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.
Exodus 13:2
- Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, [both] of man and of beast: it [is] mine.
Numbers 18:6
- And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you [they are] given [as] a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Numbers 8:18
- And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 3:12
1. **Themes:**
- **Substitution and Consecration:** Numbers 3:12 highlights the theme of substitution, where the Levites are chosen to serve God in place of the firstborn males of Israel. This reflects the special consecration of the Levites to the Lord's service, as they are dedicated to Him instead of the firstborns who were originally designated as holy to the Lord.
- **Divine Election:** The verse underscores the concept of divine election, where God selects the tribe of Levi for a specific role and purpose, setting them apart from other Israelites.
- **Priesthood and Service:** The Levites' role as priests and temple servants is emphasized, indicating their unique responsibility in the religious life of Israel.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Census and Role of Levites:** The book of Numbers begins with a census of the Israelite people and the organization of the tribes for their journey to the Promised Land. The Levites were not included in the military census because their role was religious rather than military.
- **The Exodus Events:** The context of this verse is rooted in the events of the Exodus, particularly the Passover, where the firstborn of Israel were spared from the tenth plague in Egypt. As a result, the firstborn males of Israel were considered consecrated to God (Exodus 13:2).
- **The Levites' Duties:** After the incident of the Golden Calf, the Levites demonstrated their loyalty to God by executing His judgment (Exodus 32:26-29). Following this event, God chose the Levites to serve Him in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, in place of the firstborn of all the tribes.
- **The Levitical Covenant:** This arrangement was part of the Levitical covenant, which outlined the responsibilities and privileges of the Levites as religious leaders and servants of God.
In summary, Numbers 3:12 reflects the themes of divine election and substitutionary service, as the Levites are chosen by God to fulfill the role that would have been held by the firstborn males of Israel, thereby dedicating them exclusively to His service in the religious ceremonies and duties of the nation.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H3881
There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵוִיִּי
Transliteration: Lêvîyîy
Pronunciation: lay-vee-ee'
Description: or לֵוִי; patronymically from לֵוִי; a Levite or descendant of Levi; Leviite. - Strong's Number: H8432
There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
Transliteration: tâvek
Pronunciation: taw'-vek
Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H1060
There are 96 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּכוֹר
Transliteration: bᵉkôwr
Pronunciation: bek-ore'
Description: from בָּכַר; firstborn; hence, chief; eldest (son), firstborn(-ling). - Strong's Number: H6363
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּטֶר
Transliteration: peṭer
Pronunciation: peh'-ter
Description: or פִּטְרָה; from פָּטַר; a fissure, i.e. (concretely) firstling (as opening the matrix); firstling, openeth, such as open. - Strong's Number: H7358
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֶחֶם
Transliteration: rechem
Pronunciation: rekh'-em
Description: from רָחַם; (compare רַחַם); the womb; matrix, womb.