King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then you are to take the L'vi'im for me, ADONAI, in place of all the firstborn among the people of Isra'el, and the cattle of the L'vi'im in place of the firstborn of the cattle belonging to the people of Isra'el."
Berean Standard Bible:
You are to take the Levites for Me—I am the LORD—in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.”
American Standard Version:
And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am Jehovah) instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And thou shalt take{H3947} the Levites{H3881} for me(I am the LORD{H3068}) instead of all the firstborn{H1060} among the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}; and the cattle{H929} of the Levites{H3881} instead of all the firstlings{H1060} among the cattle{H929} of the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 3:12
- 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;
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 32:26
- Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who [is] on the LORD'S side? [let him come] unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
Exodus 32:29
- For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.
Exodus 24:5
- And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
Exodus 24:6
- And Moses took half of the blood, and put [it] in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
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.
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Commentary for Numbers 3:41
1. Themes:
- Substitution and Redemption: The verse reflects the theme of substitution, where the Levites are chosen to serve God in place of the firstborn males of Israel, who were originally designated as holy to the Lord. This substitution extends to the livestock as well, with the Levites' cattle taking the place of the firstborn among the Israelites' cattle.
- Divine Election: The selection of the Levites for divine service underscores the theme of God's sovereign choice, setting apart a specific tribe for priestly duties.
- Holiness and Service: The Levites are consecrated for the service of the sanctuary, emphasizing the importance of holy service to God and the special role of the priesthood in the religious life of the Israelites.
2. Historical Context:
- The Israelites are in the wilderness following their exodus from Egypt. The book of Numbers details the organization and journeys of the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
- The census and structuring of the tribes, including the Levites, are part of the preparations for the tabernacle service and the allocation of responsibilities within the nation.
- This verse is part of the instructions given to Moses regarding the role of the Levites. The firstborn of Israel had been spared during the last plague in Egypt and were therefore considered to belong to God. However, God chooses the Levites to serve in their stead, formalizing their role as the priestly tribe.
- The substitution of the Levites for the firstborn males and their cattle is a permanent arrangement, ensuring the Levites' livelihood and dedicating them to the tabernacle (and later the temple) service, as they would not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes.
In summary, Numbers 3:41 reflects the divine selection of the Levites as substitutes for the firstborn of Israel, a decision that has significant implications for the religious and social structure of the Israelite community. This arrangement is a foundational aspect of the Levitical priesthood and its role in the worship and service of God.
*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: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - 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: 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: H929
There are 172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּהֵמָה
Transliteration: bᵉhêmâh
Pronunciation: be-hay-maw'
Description: from an unused root (probably meaning to be mute); properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective); beast, cattle.