Numbers 3:46

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

And for those that are to be redeemed {H6302} of the two hundred {H3967} and threescore and thirteen {H7657}{H7969} of the firstborn {H1060} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, which are more {H5736} than {H5921} the Levites {H3881};

Complete Jewish Bible

Since there were 273 more firstborn males from Isra'el than male L'vi'im, in order to redeem them,

Berean Standard Bible

To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites,

American Standard Version

And for the redemption of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the first-born of the children of Israel, that are over and above the number of the Levites,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 3:46 details the divine mandate for the redemption of the 273 firstborn males of Israel who exceeded the number of Levites consecrated for Tabernacle service. This precise instruction underscores God's meticulous accounting, His absolute claim of ownership over the firstborn, and the foundational principle of substitution, requiring a specific ransom payment to satisfy His holy demands for those not covered by the Levitical exchange.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 3 is a pivotal chapter within the book, marking a significant transition from the general census and camp arrangements (Numbers 1-2) to the specific consecration and duties of the Levites. Following God's declaration in [Numbers 3:11-13](/numbers/3-11-13 "Numbers 3:11-13 - Levites as Substitutes for the Firstborn") that the tribe of Levi would serve as a substitute for all the firstborn males of Israel—a claim established since the Passover in Egypt (cf. [Exodus 13:2](/exodus/13-2 "Exodus 13:2 - Consecration of the Firstborn"))—the chapter proceeds to conduct two distinct censuses. First, the Levites are counted by their families, totaling 22,000 males from one month old and upward (cf. [Numbers 3:39](/numbers/3-39 "Numbers 3:39 - Total Number of Levites")). Second, a census of the firstborn males from the other eleven tribes reveals a total of 22,273 (cf. [Numbers 3:43](/numbers/3-43 "Numbers 3:43 - Number of Israel's Firstborn")). Numbers 3:46 directly addresses the resulting numerical disparity: 273 firstborn males remained "more than the Levites," necessitating a specific, individual redemption payment to fulfill God's claim on them. This verse sets the stage for the practical execution of this redemption, detailed in the subsequent verses.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Numbers 3:46 is the Israelite encampment at Mount Sinai, shortly after the miraculous Exodus from Egypt and the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant. God's initial claim on the firstborn of Israel was powerfully demonstrated during the tenth plague in Egypt, where the firstborn of every Egyptian household were struck down, while Israel's firstborn were spared by the blood of the Passover lamb (cf. [Exodus 12:29-30](/exodus/12-29-30 "Exodus 12:29-30 - The Tenth Plague and Redemption")). This act consecrated Israel's firstborn to God, marking them as His special possession and a perpetual reminder of His redemptive power. The subsequent institution of the Levites as a dedicated tribe to serve the Tabernacle (cf. [Numbers 3:12](/numbers/3-12 "Numbers 3:12 - Levites as Substitutes")) was a practical outworking of this divine claim, ensuring that God's ownership was acknowledged and that a specific tribe would minister to Him directly. Culturally, the concept of redemption payments was well-established in the ancient Near East and within Israelite law, often involving silver to buy back property, slaves, or to fulfill vows (e.g., [Leviticus 27](/leviticus/27 "Leviticus 27 - Laws Concerning Vows and Redemption")). The specific sum of five shekels per head (cf. [Numbers 3:47](/numbers/3-47 "Numbers 3:47 - Redemption Price for Firstborn")) for the firstborn males was a standard redemption price for a male between one month and five years old, as outlined in [Leviticus 27:6](/leviticus/27-6 "Leviticus 27:6 - Valuation for Redemption"). This underscores the sanctity of life and the meticulous nature of covenant obligations.

* **Key Themes:** Numbers 3:46 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Ownership and Consecration**. God explicitly claims all firstborn as His own ([Exodus 13:2](/exodus/13-2 "Exodus 13:2 - Consecration of the Firstborn")), and this verse reinforces that claim, even when a substitute is provided. Secondly, the passage powerfully illustrates the **Principle of Substitution**. The Levites serve as a collective substitute for the firstborn, and when this substitution is numerically insufficient, a direct ransom is required. This concept of one standing in the place of another is foundational to Israelite worship and foreshadows ultimate theological truths. Thirdly, the **Meticulousness of God's Law and Order** is evident in the precise numerical accounting (22,000 Levites vs. 22,273 firstborn) and the exact number of those needing redemption (273). This precision emphasizes that God's covenant requirements are not arbitrary but are exact and must be perfectly fulfilled, down to the last individual, as seen throughout the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle and its services in [Exodus](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle") and [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Laws of Burnt Offerings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Redeemed (Hebrew, _pâdûwy'_):** This word is a passive participle derived from the verb _pādâ_, meaning "to ransom," "to buy back," "to deliver," or "to set free by payment." It implies an exchange or a price paid to secure release from an obligation, bondage, or ownership. In the context of Numbers 3:46, it refers to the act of "buying back" the firstborn males who, by divine decree, belonged to God. Since the Levites served as a collective substitute for the majority, _pâdûwy'_ is specifically applied to the remaining 273 firstborn who still required an individual ransom to fulfill God's claim upon them. This act of redemption underscores God's absolute ownership and the necessity of a payment to satisfy His righteous demands.
* **Firstborn (Hebrew, _bᵉkôwr'_):** Derived from the root _bākar_, meaning "to be firstborn," this term refers to the eldest son or the first offspring. In ancient Israelite society, the firstborn held a position of special privilege and responsibility, often inheriting a double portion and leadership. Theologically, God claimed all firstborn of Israel as His own after the Passover, signifying His special claim on the nation and His redemptive power. In Numbers 3:46, it specifically denotes the male firstborn from the other tribes who were subject to God's ownership and thus required either Levitical substitution or individual redemption.
* **More (Hebrew, _ʻădaph'_):** This primitive root signifies "to be redundant," "to be over and above," or "to remain." It precisely describes the surplus number of firstborn males (273) that exceeded the total count of the Levites. The use of this word highlights the exact numerical discrepancy that necessitated the individual redemption process, emphasizing the meticulous nature of God's divine accounting and the need for every single firstborn to be covered by either substitution or ransom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And for those that are to be redeemed":** This opening clause immediately establishes the purpose of the subsequent action—a specific group requires a ransom. The passive construction "are to be redeemed" emphasizes that this is not an optional act but a divine imperative, a necessary fulfillment of God's prior claim on the firstborn. It highlights that while the Levites provided a general substitution, a portion of the firstborn still needed a distinct, individual act of redemption.
* **"of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel":** This segment provides the precise numerical count of the individuals who fall into the category requiring redemption. "Two hundred and threescore and thirteen" translates to 273. The meticulous detail of this number, down to the single digit, underscores the divine precision in God's accounting and the non-negotiable nature of His commands, ensuring no ambiguity regarding the exact number of individuals for whom a redemption price was due. It identifies them specifically as "firstborn of the children of Israel," reiterating their status under God's original claim.
* **"which are more than the Levites;":** This concluding clause clarifies the reason for the redemption requirement: these 273 firstborn constituted the exact surplus by which the total number of firstborn males (22,273) exceeded the total number of Levites (22,000). It directly links the need for individual redemption to the principle of substitution, where the Levites were intended to cover all firstborn, but a numerical deficit existed, making individual ransom necessary for the remainder.

#### Literary Devices
The passage prominently employs **Numerical Precision** as a key literary device. The meticulous accounting of 22,000 Levites, 22,273 firstborn, and the precise difference of 273 individuals requiring redemption is a hallmark of the book of Numbers, which is replete with censuses and detailed counts. This exactitude serves to emphasize the divine order, the absolute authority of God's commands, and the non-negotiable nature of His requirements. It suggests that every detail in God's plan, down to the last individual, is accounted for and holds profound significance. Furthermore, the verse operates within the overarching **Thematic Principle of Substitution**. While not a rhetorical device in itself, the narrative framework of the Levites substituting for the firstborn, and the subsequent redemption of the surplus, is a powerful theological motif. It underscores the concept that a price must be paid or a life offered in place of another to satisfy a divine claim, a principle deeply embedded in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 3:46 profoundly illustrates God's absolute claim of ownership over all life, particularly the firstborn, and His sovereign provision for redemption. The meticulous accounting and the requirement for a specific payment underscore a fundamental theological truth: sin incurs a debt that must be paid, and freedom from divine judgment often necessitates a substitute or a ransom. This principle of substitution, where one stands in the place of another, is a foundational concept woven throughout the Old Testament, pointing forward to a greater, ultimate redemption that would completely satisfy God's righteous demands for all humanity. This passage highlights that God's justice is precise, and His mercy is provided through a designated means of atonement.

* [Exodus 13:13](/exodus/13-13 "Exodus 13:13 - Redemption of the Firstborn Donkey")
* [Leviticus 27:26](/leviticus/27-26 "Leviticus 27:26 - Consecration of Firstborn Animals")
* [Nehemiah 10:36](/nehemiah/10-36 "Nehemiah 10:36 - Dedication of Firstborn to the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 3:46, though seemingly a dry numerical detail, carries profound spiritual weight for believers today. It reminds us that God's ownership is comprehensive and extends to all creation, and particularly to humanity, whom He created in His image. Just as the firstborn of Israel were consecrated to Him by right of their deliverance from death in Egypt, so too are all people inherently His by creation. However, humanity's fall into sin rendered us spiritually "unredeemed," subject to spiritual death, alienation from God, and the just consequences of our rebellion. This passage, therefore, serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the necessity of redemption. It teaches us that our freedom from the bondage of sin and its eternal consequences is not freely given; it requires a payment, a ransom, a substitute. This profound truth should lead us to a deeper appreciation for the ultimate and complete redemption offered through Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the divine requirement. It calls us to reflect on the immense cost of our salvation and the infinite value of the One who paid it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of God's accounting in Numbers 3:46 challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character, particularly His justice and precision?**
* **In what ways does the concept of "redemption" in this verse, requiring a payment for release, resonate with or differ from your understanding of personal salvation in Christ?**
* **What does the necessity of a payment for the firstborn teach us about the cost of sin and the immeasurable value of freedom from its eternal consequences?**

### FAQ
**Why were the firstborn "more than the Levites," and why did this matter?**

Answer: The census of the Levites (males a month old and upward) totaled 22,000 (cf. [Numbers 3:39](/numbers/3-39 "Numbers 3:39 - Total Number of Levites")). The separate census of the firstborn males from the other tribes of Israel (also a month old and upward) totaled 22,273 (cf. [Numbers 3:43](/numbers/3-43 "Numbers 3:43 - Number of Israel's Firstborn")). This meant there were 273 more firstborn than there were Levites. This numerical discrepancy mattered profoundly because God had declared that the Levites were to be taken as a substitute for all the firstborn of Israel, whom He had claimed as His own after sparing them during the tenth plague in Egypt (cf. [Numbers 3:12](/numbers/3-12 "Numbers 3:12 - Levites as Substitutes") and [Exodus 13:2](/exodus/13-2 "Exodus 13:2 - Consecration of the Firstborn")). Since there weren't enough Levites to cover every firstborn on a one-to-one basis, the remaining 273 firstborn still needed to be "redeemed" individually. This required a specific payment to fulfill God's original, non-negotiable claim on them, ensuring that His ownership was fully acknowledged for every single firstborn male in Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 3:46, with its emphasis on the redemption of the surplus firstborn through a specific payment, serves as a profound Old Testament type pointing directly to the ultimate redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ. Just as a precise payment was required to "buy back" those firstborn not covered by the Levitical substitution, so too humanity, held captive by sin and under divine judgment, required a perfect ransom. The New Testament reveals that we "were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption through Christ's Blood")). Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became the perfect and final substitute, paying the immeasurable price for our sin, far exceeding the five shekels required in Numbers. His sacrifice on the cross fully satisfied God's righteous demands, securing eternal freedom and reconciliation for all who believe (cf. [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption through His Blood") and [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption and Forgiveness")). Thus, the meticulous accounting in Numbers foreshadows the precise and complete work of Christ, ensuring that every individual who trusts in Him is fully and eternally redeemed, not by human silver, but by His divine and perfect blood.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 13:13

And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.

Numbers 18:15

Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, [whether it be] of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.

Numbers 18:16

And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which [is] twenty gerahs.