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Numbers 3:47

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 3:47 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “thou shalt take five shekels apiece by the poll; after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs):” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

thou shalt take five shekels apiece by the poll; after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs):
Numbers 3:47 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
44And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
45Take the Levites instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am Jehovah.
46And 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,
47thou shalt take five shekels apiece by the poll; after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs):
48and thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons.
49And Moses took the redemption-money from them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites;
50from the first-born of the children of Israel took he the money, a thousand three hundred and threescore and five [shekels], after the shekel of the sanctuary:
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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
“Thou shall even take five shekels apiece the poll, etc.] Or head; every firstborn, or his parent for him, was bound to pay five shekels, which were about eleven or twelve shillings of our money, and which was afterwards settled as the price of such a redemption, (<041816>Numbers 18:16); after the shekel of the sanctuary shall thou take [them]; being full weight according to the standard there kept: the shekel [is] twenty gerahs; (see Gill on “<032725>Leviticus 27:25”).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This redemption money (see the marginal references) would perhaps be exacted from the parents of the “youngest” children of the 22,273 Numbers 3:43. The cattle of the Levites was doubtless taken in the gross as an equivalent for the first-born cattle of the other tribes, which of course, no less than the first-born of men, belonged to the Lord; and in future would have to be redeemed Numbers 18:15; Deuteronomy 15:19. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Numbers 3". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/numbers-3.html. 1870. StudyLight.org…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Five shekels - Which was the price paid for the redemption of a first - born a month old. Next: Numbers Chapter 4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“five shekels: Num 18:16; Lev 27:6 the shekel: Num 3:50; Exo 30:13; Lev 27:25; Eze 45:12 Numbers 3:50”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification