41 And thou shalt take H3947 the Levites H3881 for me (I am the LORD) H3068 instead of all the firstborn H1060 among the children H1121 of Israel; H3478 and the cattle H929 of the Levites H3881 instead of all the firstlings H1060 among the cattle H929 of the children H1121 of Israel. H3478
And I, behold, I have taken H3947 the Levites H3881 from among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel H3478 instead of all the firstborn H1060 that openeth H6363 the matrix H7358 among the children H1121 of Israel: H3478 therefore the Levites H3881 shall be mine;
Take H3947 the Levites H3881 instead of all the firstborn H1060 among the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 and the cattle H929 of the Levites H3881 instead of their cattle; H929 and the Levites H3881 shall be mine: I am the LORD. H3068
And he sent H7971 young men H5288 of the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 which offered H5927 burnt offerings, H5930 and sacrificed H2076 peace H8002 offerings H2077 of oxen H6499 unto the LORD. H3068 And Moses H4872 took H3947 half H2677 of the blood, H1818 and put H7760 it in basons; H101 and half H2677 of the blood H1818 he sprinkled H2236 on the altar. H4196
Then Moses H4872 stood H5975 in the gate H8179 of the camp, H4264 and said, H559 Who is on the LORD'S H3068 side? let him come unto me. And all the sons H1121 of Levi H3878 gathered H622 themselves together unto him. And he said H559 unto them, Thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel, H3478 Put H7760 every man H376 his sword H2719 by his side, H3409 and go H5674 in and out H7725 from gate H8179 to gate H8179 throughout the camp, H4264 and slay H2026 every man H376 his brother, H251 and every man H376 his companion, H7453 and every man H376 his neighbour. H7138 And the children H1121 of Levi H3878 did H6213 according to the word H1697 of Moses: H4872 and there fell H5307 of the people H5971 that day H3117 about three H7969 thousand H505 men. H376 For Moses H4872 had said, H559 Consecrate yourselves H4390 H3027 to day H3117 to the LORD, H3068 even H3588 every man H376 upon his son, H1121 and upon his brother; H251 that he may bestow H5414 upon you a blessing H1293 this day. H3117
For they are wholly given H5414 unto me from among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel; H3478 instead of such as open H6363 every womb, H7358 even instead of the firstborn H1060 of all the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 have I taken H3947 them unto me.
Every thing that openeth H6363 the matrix H7358 in all flesh, H1320 which they bring H7126 unto the LORD, H3068 whether it be of men H120 or beasts, H929 shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn H1060 of man H120 shalt thou surely H6299 redeem, H6299 and the firstling H1060 of unclean H2931 beasts H929 shalt thou redeem. H6299
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Numbers 3
Commentary on Numbers 3 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 3
This chapter and the next are concerning the tribe of Levi, which was to be mustered and marshalled by itself, and not in common with the other tribes, intimating the particular honour put upon them and the particular duty and service required from them. The Levites are in this chapter considered,
Num 3:1-13
Here,
Num 3:14-39
The Levites being granted to Aaron to minister to him, they are here delivered to him by tale, that he might know what he had, and employ them accordingly. Observe,
Num 3:40-51
Here is the exchange made of the Levites for the first-born.