Numbers 3:47
Numbers 3:47 in Multiple Translations
you are to collect five shekels for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs.
Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:)
thou shalt take five shekels apiece by the poll; after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs):
Will be five shekels for every one, by the scale of the holy place (the shekel is twenty gerahs);
collect five shekels for each of them (using the sanctuary shekel standard of twenty gerahs).
Thou shalt also take fiue shekels for euery person: after the weight of the Sanctuarie shalt thou take it: ye shekel conteineth twenty gerahs.
thou hast even taken five shekels a-piece by the poll — by the shekel of the sanctuary thou takest; twenty gerahs the shekel [is];
you shall take five shekels apiece for each one; according to the shekel of the sanctuary you shall take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs );
Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them : the shekel is twenty gerahs.
Thou shalt take five sides for every head, according to the weight of the sanctuary. A sicle hath twenty obols.
To pay for these 273 males, collect five pieces of silver for each of them. Each of those pieces of silver must weigh the same as each of the silver coins that are stored in the Sacred Tent. Give this silver to Aaron and his sons.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 3:47
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 3:47 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/לָקַחְתָּ֗
חֲמֵ֧שֶׁת
חֲמֵ֛שֶׁת
שְׁקָלִ֖ים
לַ/גֻּלְגֹּ֑לֶת
בְּ/שֶׁ֤קֶל
הַ/קֹּ֨דֶשׁ֙
תִּקָּ֔ח
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
גֵּרָ֖ה
הַ/שָּֽׁקֶל
וְ/לָקַחְתָּ֗
lâqach
H3947
to take
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
חֲמֵ֧שֶׁת
châmêsh
H2568
five
Adj
חֲמֵ֛שֶׁת
châmêsh
H2568
five
Adj
שְׁקָלִ֖ים
sheqel
H8255
shekel
N-mp
לַ/גֻּלְגֹּ֑לֶת
gulgôleth
H1538
head
Prep | N-fs
בְּ/שֶׁ֤קֶל
sheqel
H8255
shekel
Prep | N-ms
הַ/קֹּ֨דֶשׁ֙
qôdesh
H6944
Holy Place
Art | N-ms
תִּקָּ֔ח
lâqach
H3947
to take
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
twenty
Adj
גֵּרָ֖ה
gêrâh
H1626
gerah
N-fs
הַ/שָּֽׁקֶל
sheqel
H8255
shekel
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 3:47
וְ/לָקַחְתָּ֗
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
חֲמֵ֧שֶׁת
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
חֲמֵ֛שֶׁת
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
שְׁקָלִ֖ים
sheqel
H8255
"shekel"
N-mp
A shekel was a unit of weight or money in ancient Israel, like a coin or a measure of gold, silver, or copper. It was used for trade and commerce, as seen in the book of Exodus. The value varied depending on the material.
Definition: 1) shekel 1a) the chief unit of weight or measure 1a1) gold-1/10000 of a talent and equal to 220 grains 1a2) silver-1/3000 of a talent and equal to 132 grains 1a3) copper-1/1500 of a talent and equal to 528 grains Aramaic equivalent: te.qel (תְּקֵל "shekel" H8625B)
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: shekel. See also: Genesis 23:15; Numbers 7:55; Jeremiah 32:9.
לַ/גֻּלְגֹּ֑לֶת
gulgôleth
H1538
"head"
Prep | N-fs
This word means 'head' or 'skull', often used to count people in a census. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Numbers 1:2, where God instructs Moses to take a census of the Israelites. The word can also refer to the skull as a physical part of the body.
Definition: 1) head, poll, skull 1a) skull 1b) head, poll (of census)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: head, every man, poll, skull. See also: Exodus 16:16; Numbers 3:47; 1 Chronicles 23:24.
בְּ/שֶׁ֤קֶל
sheqel
H8255
"shekel"
Prep | N-ms
A shekel was a unit of weight or money in ancient Israel, like a coin or a measure of gold, silver, or copper. It was used for trade and commerce, as seen in the book of Exodus. The value varied depending on the material.
Definition: 1) shekel 1a) the chief unit of weight or measure 1a1) gold-1/10000 of a talent and equal to 220 grains 1a2) silver-1/3000 of a talent and equal to 132 grains 1a3) copper-1/1500 of a talent and equal to 528 grains Aramaic equivalent: te.qel (תְּקֵל "shekel" H8625B)
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: shekel. See also: Genesis 23:15; Numbers 7:55; Jeremiah 32:9.
הַ/קֹּ֨דֶשׁ֙
qôdesh
H6944
"Holy Place"
Art | N-ms
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Definition: This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)
Usage: Occurs in 380 OT verses. KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. See also: Exodus 3:5; Leviticus 23:4; 1 Chronicles 26:26.
תִּקָּ֔ח
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
"twenty"
Adj
This word means twenty, and is also used as an ordinal number, like twentieth, as seen in Genesis 31:38. It can refer to a specific age or quantity.
Definition: twenty, twentieth Aramaic equivalent: es.rin (עֶשְׂרִין "twenty" H6243)
Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: (six-) score, twenty(-ieth). See also: Genesis 6:3; 1 Kings 9:14; Ezra 2:19.
גֵּרָ֖ה
gêrâh
H1626
"gerah"
N-fs
A gerah is a small weight or coin in the Bible, equal to 16 barley grains, used in ancient Israel. It appears in Exodus and Leviticus as a unit of currency. The value was a 20th part of a shekel.
Definition: gerah, a weight, a 20th part of a shekel, equal to the weight of 16 barley grains or 4 to 5 carob beans
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: gerah. See also: Exodus 30:13; Numbers 3:47; Ezekiel 45:12.
הַ/שָּֽׁקֶל
sheqel
H8255
"shekel"
Art | N-ms
A shekel was a unit of weight or money in ancient Israel, like a coin or a measure of gold, silver, or copper. It was used for trade and commerce, as seen in the book of Exodus. The value varied depending on the material.
Definition: 1) shekel 1a) the chief unit of weight or measure 1a1) gold-1/10000 of a talent and equal to 220 grains 1a2) silver-1/3000 of a talent and equal to 132 grains 1a3) copper-1/1500 of a talent and equal to 528 grains Aramaic equivalent: te.qel (תְּקֵל "shekel" H8625B)
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: shekel. See also: Genesis 23:15; Numbers 7:55; Jeremiah 32:9.
Study Notes — Numbers 3:47
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 3:47 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 3:47
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 3:47
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 3:47
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 3:47
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 3:47
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 3:47
- Sermons on Numbers 3:47
Context — The Redemption of the Firstborn
45“Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites belong to Me; I am the LORD.
46To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites,
47you are to collect five shekels for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs.
48Give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for the excess among the Israelites.” 49So Moses collected the redemption money from those in excess of the number redeemed by the Levites.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 30:13 | Everyone who crosses over to those counted must pay a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD. |
| 2 | Leviticus 27:6 | Now if the person is from one month to five years of age, then your valuation for the male shall be five shekels of silver, and for the female three shekels of silver. |
| 3 | Numbers 18:16 | 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. |
| 4 | Leviticus 27:25 | Every valuation will be according to the sanctuary shekel, twenty gerahs to the shekel. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 45:12 | The shekel will consist of twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels will equal one mina. |
| 6 | Numbers 3:50 | He collected the money from the firstborn of the Israelites: 1,365 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. |
Numbers 3:47 Summary
[This verse is talking about how the Israelites had to pay a certain amount of money to redeem their firstborn sons, because the Levites were chosen to serve the Lord instead of all the firstborn sons, as we see in Numbers 3:45. The amount they had to pay was five shekels, which is like a special kind of money used in the temple, similar to what is described in Exodus 30:13. This shows us that God cares about the details of our lives and wants us to be fair and honest in all we do, just like He is fair and honest with us, as we read in Psalm 119:137. By paying this redemption price, the Israelites were acknowledging that their children belonged to God, and we can learn from this example by recognizing that our lives and our children are also gifts from God, as stated in Psalm 127:3.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the five shekels collected in Numbers 3:47?
The five shekels represent the redemption price for the excess Israelites who were not replaced by the Levites, as seen in Numbers 3:46, and this price is based on the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs, highlighting the importance of precise measurement in worship, similar to the instructions in Exodus 30:13.
Why did the Israelites need to pay a redemption price for their firstborn sons?
The Israelites needed to pay a redemption price because the firstborn sons belonged to the Lord, as stated in Numbers 3:13, and the Levites were chosen to serve as substitutes, but when there were more firstborn sons than Levites, a redemption price was necessary, as explained in Numbers 3:45-46.
What is the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs, and why is it important?
The sanctuary shekel was a standard unit of measurement used in the tabernacle, as mentioned in Exodus 30:13, and its value was twenty gerahs, which ensured consistency and fairness in transactions related to worship and sacrifice, reflecting the attention to detail in God's instructions, such as in Leviticus 27:25.
How does the concept of redemption in Numbers 3:47 relate to the broader biblical theme of redemption?
The concept of redemption in Numbers 3:47 points to the larger theme of redemption in the Bible, where God provides a way for people to be redeemed from sin and its consequences, as seen in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is our ultimate Redeemer, as stated in Galatians 3:13 and Titus 2:14.
Reflection Questions
- What does the specific amount of five shekels teach us about God's attention to detail in our lives?
- How does the idea of redemption in this verse relate to our own need for redemption from sin, and what does this reveal about God's character?
- In what ways can we, like the Israelites, acknowledge that our lives and our children belong to God, and what are the implications of this acknowledgement?
- What does the use of a standard unit of measurement, such as the sanctuary shekel, teach us about the importance of fairness and consistency in our own relationships and transactions?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 3:47
Thou shall even take five shekels apiece the poll,.... Or head; every firstborn, or his parent for him, was bound to pay five shekels, which were about eleven or twelve shillings of our money, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 3:47
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 3:47
Five shekels apiece was the price to be paid for the redemption of a first-born a month old, ,16; but this money, though paid for these 273 persons, was probably paid out of the common stock of all, except lots were cast who should pay, which is not probable in so small a concern accompanied with so much trouble.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 3:47
(47) Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll.—It is not stated in what manner the 273 families of whom the redemption money was exacted were determined. Inasmuch, however, as the law of the redemption of the firstborn by the payment of five shekels came into operation from this time (Numbers 18:16), it seems probable that the money was exacted in the case of those who had been most recently born; or it may be that the matter was decided by lot. After the shekel of the sanctuary.—See Exodus 30:13, where the expression occurs for the first time, and the value of the shekel is stated, as in this verse.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 3:47
47. the shekel of the sanctuary] Perhaps better the sacred shekel. This was the ancient Hebrew-Phoenician shekel. At the time of the writer the official coinage for secular purposes was the Persian-Babylonian, in which the shekel was some 28 grs. heavier. The Hebrew silver shekel used for sacred purposes weighed about 224.6 grs. Its actual value can be roughly estimated from the fact that in our Lord’s time the denarius paid to a labourer for a day’s work (Matthew 20:2) weighed 60 grs. the shekel is twenty gerahs] The parenthetical explanation was needful to distinguish between the sacred and the official coinage. The gçrâh was equivalent to the Greek obolus (which is the rendering in the LXX.), and weighed 11.23 grs. A good account of the Hebrew coinage will be found in Hastings’ DB. iii., art. ‘Money.’
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 3:47
47. Shekel of the sanctuary — Or, sacred shekel. Shekel signifies, in the Hebrew, weight in the abstract. But weights soon pass over into a designation of coins, as the English pound.
Sermons on Numbers 3:47
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Exodus) Exodus 38:18 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of the colors used in the hanging for the gate of the court. The blue represents Christ's deity, as he came from heaven. The |
|
Four Types of Backsliders by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen discusses the four types of backsliders as illustrated in Luke 15: the lost sheep, lost coin, lost younger son, and lost elder son. He emphasizes that backsliding often |