Numbers 3:40 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God directs Moses to count all male firstborns in Israel from one month old onward.
The Context of Numbers 3:40
God directs a census of all male firstborns in Israel.
What Does Numbers 3:40 Mean?
A new divine instruction shifts focus from the Levites to the broader population. Moses must count 'all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel,' the same age range as the Levites. This parallel census prepares for the substitution God will announce.
The command to 'take the number of their names' suggests a careful, named registry rather than a mere count. Israel's firstborn are being individually recorded, which makes the subsequent redemption—their exchange for the Levites—deeply personal and accountable.
Numbers 3:40 in the Original Language
bechor (בְכוֹר), 'firstborn' — the first male to open the womb, bearing special claim to God's ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 3:40
What does Numbers 3:40 mean?
God directs Moses to count all male firstborns in Israel from one month old onward.
What is the context of Numbers 3:40?
God directs a census of all male firstborns in Israel.