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Numbers 3:13

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 3:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “for all the first-born are mine; on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast; mine they shall be: I am Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

for all the first-born are mine; on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast; mine they shall be: I am Jehovah.
Numbers 3:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
11And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
12And 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:
13for all the first-born are mine; on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast; mine they shall be: I am Jehovah.
14And Jehovah spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
15Number the children of Levi by their fathers` houses, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.
16And Moses numbered them according to the word of Jehovah, as he was commanded.
← Numbers 3:12Numbers 3:14 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Because all the firstborn [are] mine, etc.] Not merely in a general way, as all creatures are his, but in a special manner as his own, and that for the following reason: [for] on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast; that is, sanctified or set them apart as his own special property, or ordered the people of Israel so to do, (<021302>Exodus 13:2); for as when he destroyed the firstborn of the Egyptians, he saved the firstborn of Israel, he had a special claim upon them as his; and though it was in the night when he destroyed the firstborn of Egypt, yet it was the night which preceded that day, and was a…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The concluding words are better expressed thus: “Mine shall they be, Mine, the Lord’s.” On the subject of the firstborn see the notes at Numbers 3:43-51. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Because: Num 8:16, Num 8:17, Num 18:15; Exo 13:2, Exo 13:12, Exo 22:29, Exo 34:19; Lev 27:26; Eze 44:30; Luk 2:23; Heb 12:23 on the day: Exo 12:29, Exo 12:30, Exo 13:15 Numbers 3:15”
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Related study paths

Read Numbers 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification