46 And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;
46 To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites,
46 And as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites,
46 Redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of Levites
46 And for the redemption of the two hundred and seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who are more than the number of the Levites,
46 There are 273Â more firstborn sons of Israel than there are Levites. To redeem these extra firstborn sons,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 3:46
Commentary on Numbers 3:40-51
(Read Numbers 3:40-51)
The number of the first-born, and that of the Levites, came near to each other. Known unto God are all his works beforehand; there is an exact proportion between them, and so it will appear, when they are compared together. The small number of first-born, over and above the number of the Levites, were to be redeemed, and the redemption-money given to Aaron. The church is called the church of the first-born, which is redeemed, not as they were, with silver and gold; but, being devoted by sin to the justice of God, is ransomed with the precious blood of the Son of God. All men are the Lord's by creation, and all true christians are his by redemption. Each should know his own post and duty; nor can any service required by such a Master be rightly accounted mean or hard.