Numbers 3:51

“And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed, etc.] That were redeemed this way, and not by Levites, as in (<040349>Numbers 3:49), but by money, paying five shekels a head: unto Aaron and his sons; to whom the Levites were given; and this money, as a recompence for the deficiency of the number of them, to answer to the firstborn exchanged for them: according to the word of the Lord; (<040348>Numbers 3:48); as the Lord commanded Moses; so did he, being a faithful servant in all things in the house of God; he did not convert it to his own use, or to any other use than to what God had appointed it.”

“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…”

“Moses: Num 3:48, Num 16:15; Sa1 12:3, Sa1 12:4; Act 20:33; Co1 9:12; Pe1 5:2 as the Lord: Mal 4:4 Next: Numbers Chapter 4”