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Book of Numbers - Chapter 3 - Verse 51

3:51
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.

Meaning

Within this verse, we see Moses fulfilling the commandment of the LORD by giving the money of those who were redeemed to Aaron and his sons. This act of giving the redeemed money to the priests symbolizes the consecration and dedication of the people to the service of the Lord. In the context of the Old Testament, the priests held a special role in mediating between God and the people, offering sacrifices on behalf of the people and interceding for them. By giving the redeemed money to Aaron and his sons, Moses is establishing a system of worship and service that is ordained by the Lord. This verse emphasizes the importance of following the commands of God and the role of the priests in facilitating the relationship between the people and God.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of Numbers, we see a theological interpretation related to the concept of redemption and the role of the priesthood in receiving offerings. The Hebrew word used for "redeemed" in this verse is "padah", which signifies a process of deliverance or ransom, emphasizing the idea of being rescued or saved. This act of redemption involved the giving of money to Aaron and his sons, the priests, as a form of offering according to the commandment of the Lord given to Moses. This act symbolizes the transfer of the redeemed individuals from a state of bondage to one of belonging to the Lord, through the offering made to the priests. The word of the Lord, as conveyed to Moses, emphasized the importance of honoring the priests and providing for their sustenance through the offerings given by the redeemed individuals. This verse thus serves as a reminder of the centrality of redemption, obedience to God's commands, and the role of the priesthood in facilitating the relationship between the people and God.

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