Numbers 3:47

KJV

Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take [them]: (the shekel [is] twenty gerahs:)

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt even take {H3947} five {H2568} shekels {H8255} apiece by the poll {H1538}, after the shekel {H8255} of the sanctuary {H6944} shalt thou take {H3947} them:(the shekel {H8255} is twenty {H6242} gerahs {H1626}:)

Complete Jewish Bible

you are to take five shekels [two ounces] for each of these (use the sanctuary shekel, which is equal to twenty gerahs).

Berean Standard Bible

you are to collect five shekels for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs.

American Standard Version

thou shalt take five shekels apiece by the poll; after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs):

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 3:47 details the specific redemption price required for the 273 firstborn Israelite males who exceeded the number of Levites designated by God to serve as substitutes. This verse, part of God's meticulous instructions to Moses, establishes a fixed payment of five sanctuary shekels per person, further defining the precise value of the sanctuary shekel as twenty gerahs, underscoring the divine demand for exactness in matters pertaining to sacred service and divine ownership.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 3 sets forth God's detailed instructions for the census and consecration of the Levites, designating them for service in the Tabernacle. This chapter follows the initial census of the fighting men of Israel in Numbers 1 and precedes the specific duties assigned to the various Levite families in Numbers 4. Specifically, Numbers 3:11-13 establishes God's claim on all firstborn males of Israel, declaring that the Levites are to be taken "instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel" ([Numbers 3:12](/numbers/3-12 "Numbers 3:12 - Levites as Substitutes")). A census of the Levites (Numbers 3:14-39) yields 22,000 males, while a subsequent census of the firstborn males of the other tribes (Numbers 3:40-43) reveals 22,273. Numbers 3:46-47 then addresses the discrepancy of 273 excess firstborn, mandating a redemption payment for those not covered by the Levite substitution, with our verse specifying the exact amount and standard.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of the firstborn's special status is deeply rooted in Israelite history, particularly originating from the Passover event in Egypt, where God "struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast" ([Exodus 12:29](/exodus/12-29 "Exodus 12:29 - The Tenth Plague: Death of the Firstborn")), but spared Israel's firstborn. Consequently, God claimed Israel's firstborn as His own ([Exodus 13:2](/exodus/13-2 "Exodus 13:2 - Consecration of the Firstborn")). The Levites, as a tribe set apart for sacred service, became the designated substitutes for these firstborn, symbolizing God's continued ownership and the necessity of atonement or redemption. The "shekel of the sanctuary" was a standardized weight, likely heavier or more precise than common commercial shekels, ensuring integrity and consistency in offerings and payments made to God. This standard is also referenced in other parts of the Pentateuch, such as [Leviticus 27:25](/leviticus/27-25 "Leviticus 27:25 - Valuation of Vows"), highlighting its importance in religious transactions to prevent fraud or devaluation of sacred payments. The "gerah" was the smallest unit of weight, emphasizing the meticulousness required for these divine mandates.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shekel of the Sanctuary (שֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ, _shekel ha-kodesh'_):** This term refers to a specific, sacred standard of weight for the shekel, used exclusively for Tabernacle-related transactions and offerings. It distinguished itself from ordinary commercial shekels, which could vary in weight or purity. The use of this precise standard ensured that all payments and contributions to God's service were of consistent and exact value, reflecting God's demand for integrity and holiness in all matters pertaining to His worship. It underscored the seriousness and sacredness of the transaction.
* **Gerah (גֵּרָה, _gerah'_):** A smaller unit of weight, with twenty gerahs comprising one shekel. The inclusion of this minute detail in the divine instruction further emphasizes the absolute precision and exactitude required by God in all matters of the Tabernacle and sacred law. It highlights that God's commands are not vague but are to be followed with utmost care and attention to every specification, down to the smallest increment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll":** Moses is commanded to collect a redemption payment for each of the 273 firstborn males who were not covered by the Levite substitution. The phrase "by the poll" means per head or per person, indicating that the payment was an individual assessment. The amount, "five shekels," was a fixed rate, demonstrating God's consistent and equitable demand for redemption.
* **"after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take [them]:"**: This clause specifies the precise standard by which the five shekels were to be measured. It was not just any shekel, but one conforming to the sacred, unvarying standard kept at the sanctuary. This ensured that the payment was of the exact, divinely appointed value, preventing any deviation or devaluation in transactions related to God's holy purposes.
* **"(the shekel [is] twenty gerahs:)"**: This parenthetical clarification provides the exact conversion rate for the shekel, defining its value in terms of smaller units. By stating that "the shekel is twenty gerahs," the text eliminates any ambiguity regarding the standard of the sanctuary shekel. This detail reinforces the theme of divine precision and meticulousness, ensuring that there is no room for error or misinterpretation in fulfilling God's commands, even concerning monetary weights.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Precision** and **Exposition** as key literary devices. The meticulous detailing of the redemption price—"five shekels apiece," "by the poll," "after the shekel of the sanctuary," and the explicit conversion "the shekel is twenty gerahs"—serves to emphasize the exactness and unyielding nature of God's commands. This precision is not merely for practical measurement but functions as a literary device to underscore the divine character: God is a God of order, justice, and absolute standards, leaving no room for human interpretation or negotiation in matters of holiness and redemption. The parenthetical explanation of the gerah also serves as a form of **Didactic Clarification**, ensuring the audience fully comprehends the exactness required, thereby reinforcing the seriousness of the divine mandate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 3:47, while seemingly a mundane financial instruction, profoundly illustrates core theological principles of redemption, substitution, and divine ownership. God's claim on the firstborn, established at the Passover, underscores His ultimate sovereignty and the sacredness of life spared by His grace. The Levites' substitution for the firstborn, and the subsequent monetary redemption for the excess, highlight that release from divine claim (or judgment) always comes at a cost. This passage teaches that God's holiness demands a precise and appropriate response, whether through designated service or a specific payment, foreshadowing the ultimate, costly redemption provided by God Himself.

* [Exodus 13:13](/exodus/13-13 "Exodus 13:13 - Redemption of the Firstborn")
* [Leviticus 27:25](/leviticus/27-25 "Leviticus 27:25 - Valuation of Vows")
* [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Precious Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This ancient regulation concerning the redemption of the firstborn offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that our lives are not our own; we are bought with a price, and God has a claim on us. The meticulousness of the law, down to the gerah, challenges us to consider the precision with which God desires our obedience and devotion. It's not enough to offer a general commitment; God calls for intentionality and integrity in every detail of our walk with Him. Furthermore, the concept of a "redemption price" for those not directly substituted by the Levites points us to the profound truth that our spiritual redemption is never cheap. It was secured at an infinite cost, highlighting the immeasurable value God places on human life and the depth of His love in providing the ultimate means of reconciliation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's "ownership" of the firstborn, and the subsequent need for redemption, shape our understanding of God's claim on our lives today?**
* **What does God's demand for such precise measurements ("shekel of the sanctuary," "twenty gerahs") teach us about the nature of our obedience and worship?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to greater precision and integrity, rather than a general or casual approach?**
* **How does the "cost" of redemption in this passage deepen your appreciation for the ultimate price paid for your salvation?**

### FAQ

**Why was this specific payment of five shekels necessary for the excess firstborn?**

Answer: This payment was necessary because God had claimed all firstborn males of Israel as His own, stemming from the Passover judgment in Egypt where He spared Israel's firstborn while striking Egypt's ([Exodus 13:2](/exodus/13-2 "Exodus 13:2 - Consecration of the Firstborn")). As a substitute, God designated the tribe of Levi to serve Him "instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel" ([Numbers 3:12](/numbers/3-12 "Numbers 3:12 - Levites as Substitutes")). When a census revealed that there were 273 more firstborn males than Levites (22,273 firstborn vs. 22,000 Levites), a direct substitution was not possible for these individuals. Therefore, a monetary redemption was required for each of these excess firstborn, a fixed price of five shekels per person, to symbolically "buy them back" from God's direct claim, ensuring that God's ownership was acknowledged and honored even when a direct human substitute was unavailable.

**What was the "shekel of the sanctuary" and why was it important?**

Answer: The "shekel of the sanctuary" was a specific, standardized unit of weight used for all sacred transactions and offerings in ancient Israel. It was distinct from and likely more precise or heavier than common commercial shekels used in everyday trade. Its importance lay in ensuring absolute integrity, consistency, and purity in all payments made to God or for sacred purposes. By mandating its use, God prevented any devaluation or fraudulent practices in matters pertaining to His holy Tabernacle and service. This standard is also mentioned in other biblical texts, such as [Leviticus 27:25](/leviticus/27-25 "Leviticus 27:25 - Valuation of Vows"), reinforcing its critical role in maintaining the sanctity and exactness of divine law and worship. The clarification that "the shekel is twenty gerahs" further emphasized this precision.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 3:47, with its detailed instruction for the redemption of the firstborn, serves as a powerful Old Testament shadow pointing to the ultimate, perfect redemption found in Jesus Christ. The firstborn of Israel were claimed by God due to His saving act in the Passover, and their redemption, whether by Levite substitution or monetary payment, underscored God's ownership and the cost of release. This foreshadows Christ, who is the "firstborn over all creation" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ's Supremacy")) and the "firstborn from the dead" ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ as Head of the Church")), uniquely qualified to be our substitute. Unlike the temporary and limited redemption of the Old Covenant, which required a recurring payment or substitution, Jesus offered Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice, paying the infinite price for our sins not with "perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot" ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Precious Blood")). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), fulfilling the concept of substitution and redemption perfectly, making us God's own people, "redeemed... to God by Your blood" ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Lamb's Worthiness")).

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

Leviticus 27:6

And if [it be] from a month old even unto five years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver, and for the female thy estimation [shall be] three shekels of silver.

Exodus 30:13

This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel [is] twenty gerahs:) an half shekel [shall be] the offering of the LORD.

Leviticus 27:25

And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.

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.

Ezekiel 45:12

And the shekel [shall be] twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.

Numbers 3:50

Of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and threescore and five [shekels], after the shekel of the sanctuary: