King James Version

What Does Numbers 3:40 Mean?

Numbers 3:40 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upwar...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.”

Numbers 3:40 · KJV

Context

38

But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

39

All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand.

40

And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.

41

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.

42

And Moses numbered, as the LORD commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commands Moses: 'Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward.' Every firstborn belonged to God due to Passover deliverance when God spared Israel's firstborn while judging Egypt's (Ex 13:2). The one-month minimum age reflects ancient Near Eastern practice where infant mortality was high. God's claim on the firstborn demonstrates that redemption creates ownership - those saved belong to their Savior. Christ, as God's firstborn (Col 1:15, 18), redeems us to be God's possession, a 'peculiar people' (Titus 2:14, 1 Pet 2:9). We're 'not our own' but 'bought with a price' (1 Cor 6:19-20).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This census counted 22,273 firstborn males (v.43), fewer than expected given Israel's total population. Various explanations include: only firstborn since the Exodus counted, firstborn who inherited their fathers, or natural demographic variations. The Levites (22,000) substituted for most firstborn, with the extra 273 requiring five-shekel redemption payment each (v.46-51). This redemption money supported the sanctuary. The principle continued as every Jewish firstborn required redemption (pidyon haben), practiced even today in observant Jewish families.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you live as one who's been redeemed - recognizing you belong to God, not yourself?
  2. How does understanding you were 'bought with a price' affect your daily choices and priorities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 17

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 17

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֗ה4 of 17

“unto Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

פְּקֹ֨ד5 of 17

“Number”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

כָּל6 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּכֹ֤ר7 of 17

“all the firstborn”

H1060

first-born; hence, chief

זָכָר֙8 of 17

“of the males”

H2145

properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)

מִבֶּן9 of 17

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל10 of 17

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מִבֶּן11 of 17

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חֹ֖דֶשׁ12 of 17

“from a month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

וָמָ֑עְלָה13 of 17

“and upward”

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

וְשָׂ֕א14 of 17

“and take”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֵ֖ת15 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִסְפַּ֥ר16 of 17

“the number”

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

שְׁמֹתָֽם׃17 of 17

“of their names”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 3:40 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 3:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 3:15Philippians 4:3Numbers 3:45Psalms 87:6Revelation 14:42 Timothy 2:19

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