Numbers 3:41-51 ▼

41 You are to take the Levites for Me—I am the LORD {YHWH}—in place of all the firstborn of Israel (he wrestles with God), and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.”

42 So Moses (drawn out) numbered all the firstborn of the Israelites (God prevails), as the LORD {YHWH} had commanded him.

43 The total number of the firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273.

44 Again the LORD {YHWH} spoke to Moses (drawn out), saying,

45 “Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel (he wrestles with God), and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites belong to Me; I am the LORD {YHWH}.

46 To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites (God prevails) who outnumber the Levites,

47 you are to collect five shekels <2 oz / 57 g> for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs <0.4 oz / 11.4 g>.

48 Give the money to Aaron (light bringer) and his sons as the redemption price for the excess among the Israelites.”

49 So Moses (drawn out) collected the redemption money from those in excess of the number redeemed by the Levites.

50 He collected the money from the firstborn of the Israelites (God prevails): 1,365 shekels <34.3 lb / 15.6 kg>, according to the sanctuary shekel.

51 And Moses (drawn out) gave the redemption money to Aaron (light bringer) and his sons in obedience to the word of the LORD {YHWH}, just as the LORD had commanded him.