Numbers 3:47 Meaning and Explanation
“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:)”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Each of the 263 excess firstborns is redeemed at five shekels; the shekel equals twenty gerahs.
The Context of Numbers 3:47
Establishing the redemption price: five shekels per firstborn.
What Does Numbers 3:47 Mean?
The redemption price is fixed at five shekels per firstborn—a significant sum that acknowledges the value of life. The price is stated in 'shekels of the sanctuary,' the official standard, ensuring uniform and honest valuation. The parenthetical clarification (shekel equals twenty gerahs) establishes the standard weight measure.
This price is merciful but substantial. Five shekels represents real wealth—roughly a month's income for a laborer. Families choosing to redeem must demonstrate commitment, yet the price is affordable enough that genuine redemption is possible, not merely theoretical.
Numbers 3:47 in the Original Language
shekel (שְׁקֶל), 'shekel' — a unit of weight and currency, approximately 11.5 grams of silver, used as sanctuary standard.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 3:47
What does Numbers 3:47 mean?
Each of the 263 excess firstborns is redeemed at five shekels; the shekel equals twenty gerahs.
What is the context of Numbers 3:47?
Establishing the redemption price: five shekels per firstborn.