Numbers 3:47

47 collect five shekels[a] for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs.

Numbers 3:47 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
47 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:)
English Standard Version (ESV)
47 you shall take five shekels per head; you shall take them according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahs),
New Living Translation (NLT)
47 collect five pieces of silver for each of them (each piece weighing the same as the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs).
The Message Bible (MSG)
47 by collecting five shekels for each one, using the Sanctuary shekel (the shekel weighing twenty gerahs).
American Standard Version (ASV)
47 thou shalt take five shekels apiece by the poll; after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs):
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
47 It will cost you two ounces of silver per person (using the standard weight of the holy place) to buy them back.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
47 collect five shekels for each person, according to the standard sanctuary shekel-20 gerahs to the shekel.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
47 Collect two ounces of silver for each of them. Weigh it out in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent.

Numbers 3:47 Meaning and Commentary

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 which was afterwards settled as the price of such a redemption, ( Numbers 18:16 ) ;

after the shekel of the sanctuary shall thou take [them];
being full weight according to the standard there kept:

the shekel [is] twenty gerahs; (See Gill on Leviticus 27:25).

Numbers 3:47 In-Context

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 are to be mine. I am the LORD.
46 To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites,
47 collect five shekels for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs.
48 Give the money for the redemption of the additional Israelites to Aaron and his sons.”
49 So Moses collected the redemption money from those who exceeded the number redeemed by the Levites.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Leviticus 27:6
  • 2. S Exodus 30:13
  • 3. S Leviticus 27:25

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. That is, about 2 ounces or about 58 grams
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