New International Version Take the Levites for me in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites. I am the LORD.” New Living Translation The Levites must be reserved for me as substitutes for the firstborn sons of Israel; I am the LORD. And the Levites’ livestock must be reserved for me as substitutes for the firstborn livestock of the whole nation of Israel.” English Standard Version And you shall take the Levites for me—I am the LORD—instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the people of Israel.” Berean Standard Bible You are to take the Levites for Me—I am the LORD—in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.” Berean Literal Bible And you shall take the Levites for Me—I am YHWH—instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the sons of Israel.” King James Bible And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel. New King James Version And you shall take the Levites for Me—I am the LORD—instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel.” New American Standard Bible And you shall take the Levites for Me—I am the LORD—instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites in place of all the firstborn among the cattle of the sons of Israel.” NASB 1995 “You shall take the Levites for Me, I am the LORD, instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the sons of Israel.” NASB 1977 “And you shall take the Levites for Me, I am the LORD, instead of all the first-born among the sons of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the first-born among the cattle of the sons of Israel.” Legacy Standard Bible And you shall take the Levites for Me, I am Yahweh, instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the sons of Israel.” Amplified Bible You shall take the Levites for Me instead of and as a substitute for all the firstborn among the Israelites. I am the LORD; and you shall take the cattle of the Levites instead of and as a substitute for all the firstborn among the cattle of the Israelites.” Berean Annotated Bible 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. Christian Standard Bible You are to take the Levites for me—I am the LORD—in place of every firstborn among the Israelites, and the Levites’ cattle in place of every firstborn among the Israelites’ cattle.” Holman Christian Standard Bible You are to take the Levites for Me—I am Yahweh—in place of every firstborn among the Israelites, and the Levites’ cattle in place of every firstborn among the Israelites’ cattle.” American Standard Version And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am Jehovah) instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel. Contemporary English Version They belong to me, but I will accept the Levites as substitutes for them, and I will accept the Levites' livestock as substitutes for the Israelites' first-born livestock." English Revised Version And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel. GOD'S WORD® Translation I am the LORD. Take the Levites for me to be substitutes for all firstborn Israelites. Also take the animals of the Levites to be substitutes for all firstborn animals of the Israelites." International Standard Version Separate the descendants of Levi for me—since I am the LORD—in place of all the first-born sons of Israel. Also separate the livestock of the descendants of Levi in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of Israel." NET Bible And take the Levites for me--I am the LORD--instead of all the firstborn males among the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites." New Heart English Bible You shall take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel." Webster's Bible Translation And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites, instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou are to take the Levites for Me—I am the LORD—in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.” World English Bible You shall take the Levites for me—I am Yahweh—instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand you have taken the Levites for Me (I [am] YHWH), instead of every firstborn among the sons of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of every firstling among the livestock of the sons of Israel.” Berean Literal Bible And you shall take the Levites for Me—I am YHWH—instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the sons of Israel.” Young's Literal Translation and thou hast taken the Levites for Me (I am Jehovah), instead of every first-born among the sons of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of every firstling among the cattle of the sons of Israel.' Smith's Literal Translation And take the Levites for me (I Jehovah) instead of all the first-born of the sons of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the first-born among the cattle of the sons of Israel. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd thou shalt take the Levites to me for all the firstborn of the children of Israel, I am the Lord: and their cattle for all the firstborn of the cattle of the children of Israel: Catholic Public Domain Version And you shall bring the Levites to me, in place of all the firstborn of the sons of Israel, and you shall bring their cattle to me, in place of all the firstborn of the cattle of the sons of Israel. I am the Lord.” New American Bible Then take the Levites for me—I am the LORD—in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites, as well as the Levites’ cattle, in place of all the firstborn among the cattle of the Israelites. New Revised Standard Version But you shall accept the Levites for me—I am the LORD—as substitutes for all the firstborn among the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites as substitutes for all the firstborn among the livestock of the Israelites. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd you shall present the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And you shall bring the Levites to me (I AM LORD JEHOVAH), in the place of all of the firstborn ones of the children of Israel, and the domestic animals of Levi in the place of all firstborn ones of the domestic animals of the children of Israel.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And thou shalt take the Levites for Me, even the LORD, instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And thou shalt take the Levites for me - I am the Lord - instead of all the first-born of the sons of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the first-born among the cattle of the children of Israel. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Redemption of the Firstborn40Then the LORD said to Moses, “Number every firstborn male of the Israelites a month old or more, and list their names. 41You are to take the Levites for Me— I am the LORD— in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.” 42So Moses numbered all the firstborn of the Israelites, as the LORD had commanded him.… Cross References You are to take the Levites for Me— Numbers 8:14 In this way you shall separate the Levites from the rest of the Israelites, and the Levites will belong to Me. Numbers 18:6 Behold, I Myself have selected your fellow Levites from the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to perform the service for the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 8:13 You are to have the Levites stand before Aaron and his sons and then present them before the LORD as a wave offering. I am the LORD— Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. Leviticus 22:32 You must not profane My holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy among the Israelites. I am the LORD who sanctifies you, Exodus 6:7 I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. in place of all the firstborn of Israel, Numbers 8:18 But I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel. Numbers 8:16 For the Levites have been wholly given to Me from among the sons of Israel. I have taken them for Myself in place of all who come first from the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel. Exodus 13:2 “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.” and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.” Exodus 34:19 The first offspring of every womb belongs to Me, including all the firstborn males among your livestock, whether cattle or sheep. Exodus 13:12 you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. Numbers 8:17 For every firstborn male in Israel is Mine, both man and beast. I set them apart for Myself on the day I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt. Numbers 18:15-16 The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast, that is offered to the LORD belongs to you. But you must surely redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals. / You are to pay the redemption price for a month-old male according to your valuation: five shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel, which is twenty gerahs. Deuteronomy 15:19 You must set apart to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herds and flocks. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work, nor are you to shear the firstborn of your flock. 1 Samuel 1:11 And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.” 1 Samuel 1:28 I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there. Treasury of Scripture And you shall take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the children of Israel. Numbers 3:12,45 And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; … Numbers 8:16 For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me. Numbers 18:15 Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem. Jump to Previous Births Cattle Children First Firstborn First-Born Firstlings Instead Israel LevitesJump to Next Births Cattle Children First Firstborn First-Born Firstlings Instead Israel LevitesNumbers 3 1. The sons of Aaron5. The Levites are given to the priests instead of the firstborn 14. Are numbered by their families 21. The families, number, and charge of the Gershonites 27. Of the Kohathites 33. Of the Merarites 38. The place and charge of Moses and Aaron 40. The firstborn are freed by the Levites 44. The balances are refunded You are to take the Levites for Me— God set apart the tribe of Levi for His service, following their loyalty to Moses during Israel’s idolatry at Sinai. They were assigned to assist Aaron and his sons in the care, transport, and service of the Tabernacle. Num 8:14 In this way you shall separate the Levites… I am the LORD— The arrangement rested on God’s authority as Israel’s covenant God and the One who established the terms of worship. Lev 19:2 Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them:… in place of all the firstborn of Israel, Israel’s firstborn belonged to God because He spared them during the Passover judgment in Egypt. The Levites were taken as their representatives, dedicating one tribe to the duties connected with God’s dwelling among His people. Num 8:18 But I have taken the Levites in place of all the… and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.” The exchange also included livestock, recognizing God’s claim over the firstborn of the nation’s animals and marking the Levites’ complete substitution for Israel’s firstborn. Exo 34:19 The first offspring of every womb belongs to Me,… Persons / Places / Events 1. The LevitesA tribe set apart for religious duties and service to God, replacing the firstborn sons of Israel in their dedication to the Lord. 2. The Israelites The chosen people of God, from whom the firstborn were initially consecrated to the Lord following the Passover event in Egypt. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who commands the substitution of the Levites for the firstborn. 4. Firstborn of the Israelites Originally consecrated to God as a remembrance of the Passover, when God spared the firstborn of Israel. 5. Livestock of the Levites Substituted for the firstborn livestock of the Israelites, signifying the complete dedication of the Levites to God. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in ChoiceGod chooses whom He wills for His purposes, as seen in His selection of the Levites. This reminds us of His sovereign will in our lives. Substitution and Redemption The Levites' substitution for the firstborn prefigures the ultimate substitutionary sacrifice of Christ. Reflect on how Christ's sacrifice redeems us. Dedication to Service The Levites were wholly dedicated to God's service. Consider how we can dedicate our lives and resources to serving God today. Remembrance of Deliverance The consecration of the firstborn was a reminder of God's deliverance from Egypt. Regularly remember and give thanks for God's deliverance in your life. Community and Responsibility The Levites served on behalf of the entire community. Reflect on how we can serve and support our faith community. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 3:41?2. How does Numbers 3:41 illustrate God's claim over the firstborn of Israel? 3. What is the significance of the Levites being "Mine" in Numbers 3:41? 4. How does Numbers 3:41 connect to the Passover event in Exodus? 5. How can we dedicate our "firstborn" blessings to God in daily life? 6. What does Numbers 3:41 teach about God's sovereignty and ownership over His people? 7. Why does Numbers 3:41 emphasize the Levites' role in place of the firstborn? 8. How does Numbers 3:41 reflect God's sovereignty over Israelite tribes? 9. What is the significance of the firstborn in Numbers 3:41? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 3? (41) And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the Lord) . . . --Or, And thou shalt take the Levites for Me--for Me, Jehovah. The assertions which have been frequently made respecting the transference of the priesthood of the firstborn to the Levites appear to be altogether without foundation. For (1) the priesthood which was exercised in patriarchal times was not restricted to the firstborn, but appears to have been common to the head of every family. (2) This priesthood was exercised previously to the exodus, and consequently previously to the command given to Moses to sanctify the firstborn. And (3) the priesthood, which belonged not to the firstborn exclusively, but to the Israelites at large, was thenceforth strictly confined to the family of Aaron, who inherited it not as the substitutes of the firstborn, but in the place of the whole nation.Numbers 3:41 establishes a divinely ordained swap: the Levites and their livestock stand in for every firstborn person and animal in Israel. The verse highlights God’s ownership of His people, the necessity of redemption, and the gracious provision of a representative priestly tribe so the nation can focus on worship and obedience. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew You are to takeוְלָקַחְתָּ֨ (wə·lā·qaḥ·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take the Levites הַלְוִיִּ֥ם (hal·wî·yim) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi for Me— לִי֙ (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew I אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I am the LORD— יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel in place of תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the firstborn בְּכֹ֖ר (bə·ḵōr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief of Israel, יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc and the livestock בֶּהֱמַ֣ת (be·hĕ·maṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal of the Levites הַלְוִיִּ֔ם (hal·wî·yim) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi in place of תַּ֣חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the firstborn בְּכ֔וֹר (bə·ḵō·wr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief of the livestock בְּבֶהֱמַ֖ת (bə·ḇe·hĕ·maṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal of the Israelites.” בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son Additonal Resources Numbers 3:41 Blue Letter BibleNumbers 3:41 Bible Gateway Numbers 3:41 Bible.com Numbers 3:41 NIV |
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