Bible Strands
Numbers 3:51
And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons in obedience to the word of the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses delivers the collected silver to Aaron and his sons immediately after the census tally of the firstborn is completed. This transfer occurs during the final administrative phase of the Levite consecration procedures.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַ/יִּתֵּ֨ן (va/i.yi.Ten) records the completed action of giving, while כֶּ֧סֶף הַ/פְּדוּיִ֛ם (Ke.sef ha./pe.du.Yim) literally translates to the silver of the redeemed. These terms explicitly tie the financial transaction to its designated purpose as a ransom payment.
The thread — The command to route these funds to the priestly line is issued in Numbers 3:48 and executed in this verse. The same administrative integrity Moses demonstrates here is later defended in 1 Samuel 12:3 and contrasted with his refusal to profit during the Korahite rebellion in Numbers 16:15.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to note that ritual compliance demands exact execution of divine commands without alteration. It establishes that sacred administration must be conducted with strict adherence to established authority and specified purpose.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.
Cross-references
- Numbers 3:48 Give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for the excess among the Israelites.”
- Numbers 16:15 Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”
- 1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”
- Malachi 4:4 “Remember the law of My servant Moses, the statutes and ordinances I commanded him for all Israel at Horeb.
- Acts 20:33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
- 1 Corinthians 9:12 If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
- 1 Peter 5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;