Topical Bible: Redemption: Redemption Money Paid to Priests

◄ Redemption: Redemption Money Paid to Priests ►

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In the biblical context, redemption refers to the act of being saved or delivered from sin, error, or evil. It is a central theme throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing God's deliverance of His people. One specific aspect of redemption in the Old Testament is the concept of "redemption money" paid to priests, which is rooted in the laws given to the Israelites.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of redemption money is primarily found in the Book of Numbers. According to the Mosaic Law, the firstborn of every Israelite family was consecrated to the Lord. This was a reminder of God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, where He spared the firstborn of Israel during the Passover (Exodus 13:2). However, instead of requiring the firstborn to serve in the temple, God designated the Levites to serve in their place. To redeem the firstborn sons, a redemption price was to be paid.

Numbers 3:44-48 states: "The LORD also said to Moses, 'Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites belong to Me; I am the LORD. For the redemption of the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites, you are to collect five shekels for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs. Give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for the excess number of Israelites.'"

This passage outlines the requirement for the Israelites to pay a redemption price for their firstborn sons, which was set at five shekels. This payment was made to Aaron and his sons, the priests, as a symbolic act of redemption.

Theological Significance

The payment of redemption money to the priests underscores several theological principles. First, it highlights the concept of substitutionary atonement, where the Levites serve in place of the firstborn, pointing to the ultimate substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the Levites were set apart for service, Christ was set apart to redeem humanity through His sacrificial death.

Second, the redemption money serves as a tangible reminder of God's deliverance and ownership of His people. By requiring a payment, God reinforced the idea that the Israelites were His possession, redeemed by His mighty acts.

Practical Implications

For the Israelites, the act of paying redemption money was a practical expression of obedience and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. It was a way to honor the covenant relationship between God and His people, recognizing His provision and protection.

In a broader sense, the concept of redemption money foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Christ. While the Old Testament system required a monetary payment, the New Testament reveals that Christ paid the ultimate price with His blood, offering redemption to all who believe in Him.

Conclusion

The practice of paying redemption money to priests in the Old Testament serves as a profound illustration of God's redemptive plan. It points to the greater reality of spiritual redemption through Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and offers eternal salvation to those who trust in Him.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 3:46-51
And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and three score and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Plenteous Redemption
... down the twenty millions of their redemption money; that on ... no longer anything, for
Christ hath paid it all ... You ask, then, in what way redemption operates upon ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/plenteous redemption.htm

On the Incarnation and Redemption
... He bought us back again, and the price He paid was His ... the power of His Church"to
purchase our redemption from sin ... was old and poor and had no money, or little ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 7 on the incarnation.htm

The Dedication
... Joseph and Mary were poor; and when they came with their child, the priests saw
only a man and ... The child for whom the redemption money had been paid was He ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 5 the dedication.htm

The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
... accompanied by two short benedictions,' the one for the law of redemption money
was paid. ... The whole of the flesh belonged to the priests, and had to be ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii the purification of.htm

Reformation.
... The souls confined in purgatory, for whose redemption indulgences are purchased,
as soon as the money is paid, instantly escape from that place of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/reformation.htm

The Restoration of the Jews.
... Jeremiah himself might possess it, the right of redemption being in him ... up and
subscribed, witnesses were summoned, the money weighed and paid over, the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter ix the restoration of.htm

The Levites Ought to be Utterly Free from all Earthly Desires. ...
... Lord, since the payment of vows and redemption for sin ... When thou hast paid thy debt
to thy Creator, then ... then thou mayest assist the needy with money, or by ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter l the levites ought.htm

A New Order of Priests and Levites
... election, as he chose them"his own by redemption, as he ... the sons to market with a
bag of money, the good ... promissory note he had given you; if he paid you the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/a new order of priests.htm

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
... why one-half was paid in money, and the ... sum by which servants were purchased was
paid after this ... This redemption appears, throughout, as a ransoming from the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the section chap i -iii.htm

A Rebuke against Extortion
... Love of money and love of display have made this world as a den of thieves and ... Then
the Son of God, who pitied us, paid the price of our redemption. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm