Bemidbar (translated as Numbers) 1:1 – 4:20
“The Message” Version – this version is a paraphrased version which we normally don’t make use of, but I felt to make use of it for these specific verses:
Hos 2:14 "And now, here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to start all over again. I'm taking her back out into the wilderness where we had our first date, and I'll court her.
Hos 2:15 I'll give her bouquets of roses. I'll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope. She'll respond like she did as a young girl, those days when she was fresh out of Egypt.
Hos 2:16 "At that time"--this is the LORD's (YHVH’s) Message still-- "you'll address me, 'Dear husband!' Never again will you address me, 'My slave-master!'
Hos 2:17 I'll wash your mouth out with soap, get rid of all the dirty false-god names, not so much as a whisper of those names again. (Like the days of the week named after false mighty ones and some of the month names that are named after false mighty ones)
Hos 2:18 At the same time I'll make a peace treaty between you and wild animals and birds and reptiles, And get rid of all weapons of war. Think of it! Safe from beasts and bullies!
Hos 2:19 And then I'll marry you for good--forever! I'll marry you true and proper, in love and tenderness.
Hos 2:20 Yes, I'll marry you and neither leave you nor let you go. You'll know me, YHVH, for who I really am.
A Good Shepherd always counts His sheep, hear again the words of our Messiah in Yochanan/John:
Joh 10:4 “And when he has brought out his own sheep, he goes before them. And the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.
Joh 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Joh 10:16 “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold – I have to bring them as well, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one shepherd.1 Footnote: 1Ezek. 34:23, Ezek. 37:24.
Joh 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.1 Footnote: 1Rev. 14:4-5.
Joh 10:28 “And I give them everlasting life, and they shall by no means ever perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.
Joh 10:29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
The book of Bemidbar/Numbers deals in great measure with the laws and history of the Tabernacle during Yisrael’s years in the wilderness (midbar). This serves to show us how these wilderness wanderings were the shadow of YHVH’s Torah of Messiah. Our very existence is defined by our closeness to His Torah, to His Messiah.
Yochanan/Joh 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Joh 10:12 “But the hireling, and not being a shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees. And the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.
The Good Shepherd teaches the True Torah, the hireling does not, because he has a different agenda to that of our Messiah. This is how we recognize the true Messiah’s voice and follow him.
Quote: “It is customary that on the Shabbat before a wedding, the bridegroom is called to the Torah. Shavuot, the festival which coincides with the anniversary of the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, represents the marriage of YHVH and Israel; this is why the Torah portion of Bamidbar ("in the desert") is usually read on the Shabbat before Shavuot.” (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch)
Rev 19:9 And he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who have been called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true words of Elohim.” ( Jer 33:13)
“The Torah was given to the people of Israel in the ownerless desert. For if it were given in the Land of Israel, the residents of the Land of Israel would say, "It is ours"; and if it were given in some other place, the residents of that place would say, "It is ours." Therefore it was given in the wilderness, so that anyone who wishes to acquire it may acquire it”. (Mechilta D'Rashbi)
Blessing for the Torah:
Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,
v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”
(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe,
you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah.
Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)
Torah Readings:
1. 1:1-19
2. 1:20-54
3. 2:1-34
4. 3:1-13
5. 3:14-39
6. 3:40-51
7. 4:1-16
8. Maftir: 4:17-20
Haftarah: Hoshea 1:10 – 2:20 (2:1-22 Hebrew version)
Aliyah Rishon 1:1-19
Bemidbar/Num 1:1 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the Tent of Meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Mitsrayim, saying,
Num 1:2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Yisra’ĕl, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head,
Num 1:3 from twenty years old and above, everyone going out to the army in Yisra’ĕl. Number them by their divisions, you and Aharon.
This book of the Torah – Bamidbar is about YHVH calling and counting His bride to be. This counting or taking of census is expressed in a rather strange Hebrew idiom viz “to count the skulls” see Num 1:2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Yisra’ĕl, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head (gulguletam)
The Hebrew word for head here is “skulls” or “gulgoleth” Strongs 1538. This is where we get the word “Golgotha”
The message is unchanging forever “only in Messiah can we be counted”
Yoch/Joh 19:17 And bearing His stake, He went out to the so-called Place of a Skull, which is called in Heḇrew, Golgotha,
Joh 19:18 where they impaled Him, and two others with Him.
Num 1:4 “And a man from every tribe should be with you, each one the head of his father’s house.
Num 1:5 “And these are the names of the men who stand with you. From Re’uḇĕn: Elitsur, son of Sheḏĕy’ur.
Num 1:6 “From Shim’on: Shelumi’ĕl, son of Tsurishaddai.
Num 1:7 “From Yehuḏah: Naḥshon, son of Amminaḏaḇ.
Num 1:8 “From Yissasḵar: Nethanĕ’l, son of Tsu’ar.
Num 1:9 “From Zeḇulun: Eliyaḇ, son of Ḥĕlon.
Num 1:10 “From the sons of Yosĕph: From Ephrayim: Elishama, son of Ammihuḏ. From Menashsheh: Gamli’ĕl, son of Peḏahtsur.
Num 1:11 “From Binyamin: Aḇiḏan, son of Giḏ’oni.
Num 1:12 “From Dan: Aḥi’ezer, son of Ammishaddai.
Num 1:13 “From Ashĕr: Paḡ’i’ĕl, son of Oḵran.
Num 1:14 “From Gaḏ: Elyasaph, son of Deu’ĕl.
Num 1:15 “From Naphtali: Aḥira, son of Ěnan.”
Num 1:16 These are the ones called from the congregation, leaders of their fathers’ tribes, heads of the thousands of Yisra’ĕl.
Num 1:17 And Mosheh and Aharon took these men who were called by name,
Num 1:18 and they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month. And they declared their ancestry by clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, each one head by head.
Num 1:19 As יהוה commanded Mosheh, so he registered them in the Wilderness of Sinai.
Aliyah Sheni 1:20-54
And now the census results- After giving us the numbers for each tribe, the Torah gives us the grand total: 603,550. This number, however, does not include the Levites. Moshe was commanded by YHVH not to include the Levites in the general census. Instead, the Levites are assigned the following set apart tasks: dismantling, carrying, and re-erecting the Tabernacle whenever Yisrael travelled, and camping around the Set part place, keeping guard over it and its vessels.
Num 1:46 all those that were registered were six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.
Num 1:52 “And the children of Yisra’ĕl shall pitch their tents, everyone by his own camp, everyone by his own banner, according to their divisions,
Num 1:53 but let the Lĕwites camp around the Dwelling Place of the Witness, so that there be no wrath on the congregation of the children of Yisra’ĕl. And the Lĕwites shall guard the duty of the Dwelling Place of the Witness.”
Num 1:54 And the children of Yisra’ĕl did according to all that יהוה commanded Mosheh, so they did.
Note that now the mixed multitude who had left Mitsrayim/Egypt with them have now been counted in with the tribes of Yisrael.
Note the profound prophecy of Ezekiel concerning those of us who are grafted into Yisrael.
Eze 47:21 “And you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Yisra’ĕl.
Eze 47:22 “And it shall be that you divide it by lot as an inheritance for yourselves, and for the strangers who sojourn in your midst and who bear children among you. And they shall be to you as native-born among the children of Yisra’ĕl – with you they have an inheritance in the midst of the tribes of Yisra’ĕl1. Footnote: 1Isa. 14:1, Isa. 56:6-8, Rom. 11:17-26, Eph. 2:19, Eph. 3:6, Rev. 21:12.
Eze 47:23 “And it shall be that in whatever tribe the stranger sojourns, there you give him his inheritance,” declares the Master יהוה.
Aliyah Shlishi 2:1-34
Yisrael is instructed regarding their camping formation. The Tabernacle was at the centre of the encampment, surrounded by the "Flag of Yehudah/Judah" -- which included the Tribes of Yehudah/Judah, Yissachar and Zebulun -- to the east; the "Flag of Reuben" -- Reuven, Shimon, Gad -- to the south; the "Flag of Ephraim" -- Ephrayim, Menashsheh , Benyamin -- to the west; and the "Flag of Dan" -- Dan, Asher, Naftali -- to the north.
Num 2:1 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh and to Aharon, saying,
Num 2:2 “The children of Yisra’ĕl are to camp, each one by his own banner, beside the sign of his father’s house. Let them camp around the Tent of Meeting at a distance.”
Each tribe had its own prince and its flag whose colour corresponded to the colour of its stone [in Aaron's breastplate--see Exodus 28:15-21]. It was from the tribes of Yisrael that kingdoms learned to provide themselves with flags of various colours.
Artistic impression of the 12 banners by Jenny Bredenkamp
Out of Midrash Rabbah- (italics added) we see that their opinion of what the banners looked like was like this (different opinions on what it looked like, like we can see in the picture above):
Reuben's stone was a ruby; the colour of his flag was red and embroidered thereon were mandrakes [cf. Genesis 30:14].”
“Reuven” means “see a son” - [we see from his life he was not recognized as the first born son as we see too in the life of Messiah that he was not recognized by many as YHVH’s first born.]
Simeon's stone was a topaz; his flag was of a green colour, and the town of Shechem was embroidered thereon [cf. Genesis 34:25].
“Shimeon” comes from the Hebrew word “shema” to hear. We know that our Messiah heard and obeyed every word that came from his Father.
Levi's stone was a smaragd; the colour of his flag was one-third white, one third black, and one third red, and embroidered thereon was [Aaron's breastplate with] the Urim and Tummim.
“Levi” in Hebrew means “my heart.” The urim and tummim were in Aaron’s breastplate close to his heart. Those who live close to the heart of the Father are able to “join” others who also desire to draw closer to the Fathers heart. Yahshua was the supreme example of a Levite who reconciled man to his Maker.
Yehudah’s/Judah's stone was a carbuncle; the colour of his flag was like the colour of the heavens and embroidered on it was a lion [cf. Genesis 49:9].
Like Yahudah our Messiah has a kingly role of rulership in the kingdom of YHVH.
Issachar's stone was a sapphire; the colour of his flag was black like stibnite, and embroidered thereon was the sun and moon, in allusion to the verse, "And of the children of Issachar, men that had understanding of the times" (I Chronicles 12:33).
Zebulun's stone was an emerald; the colour of his flag was white, with a ship embroidered thereon, in allusion to the verse, "Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea" (Gen. 49:13).
Dan's stone was a jacinth; the colour of his flag was similar to sapphire, and embroidered on it was a serpent, in allusion to the verse, "Dan shall be a serpent in the way" (ibid. v. 17).
Gad's stone was an agate; the colour of his flag was neither white nor black but a blend of black and white, and on it was embroidered a military camp, in allusion to the verse, "Gad, a troop shall troop upon him" (ibid. v. 19).
Naphtali's stone was an amethyst; the colour of his flag was like clarified wine of a light red, and on it was embroidered a deer, in allusion to the verse, "Naphtali is a deer let loose" (ibid. v. 21).
Asher's stone was a beryl; the colour of his flag was like the precious stone with which women adorn themselves, and embroidered thereon was an olive-tree, in allusion to the verse, "As for Asher, his bread shall be fat with oil" (ibid. v. 20).
Yoseph's stone was an onyx and the colour of his flags were jet black; the embroidered design thereon for the two tribes descending from Yoseph, Ephrayim and Menashsheh, was Mitsrayim/Egypt, because they were born in Mitsrayim/Egypt. On the flag of Ephrayim was embroidered a bullock, in allusion to the verse, "His firstling bullock" (Deuteronomy 33:17), which refers to Yehoshua who came from the tribe of Ephrayim. On the flag of the tribe of Menashsheh was embroidered a unicorn, in allusion to the verse, "And his horns are the horns of the re'em" (ibid.), which alludes to Gideon son of Yoash who came from the tribe of Menashsheh.
Benyamin's stone was jasper and the colour of his flag was a combination of all the twelve colours; embroidered thereon was a wolf, in allusion to the verse, "Benjamin is a wolf that preys" (Genesis 49:27).”
Num 2:17 And the Tent of Meeting, the camp of the Lĕwites, shall move out in the middle of the camps. As they camp, so they move out, everyone in his place, by their banners.
Num 2:32 These were registered ones of the children of Yisra’ĕl by their fathers’ houses. All who were registered according to their divisions of the camps: six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.
Num 2:33 But the Lĕwites were not registered among the children of Yisra’ĕl, as יהוה commanded Mosheh.
Num 2:34 And the children of Yisra’ĕl did according to all that יהוה commanded Mosheh. So they camped by their banners and so they departed, each one by his clan, according to their fathers’ houses.
Note the repetition of the same facts in aliyah two and three! Why would this be so?
Some Messianic teachers believe that the Torah uses words sparingly and whenever matters are repeated in similar detail, it probably points to these very same events being prophetically repeated in the coming days before Messiah returns.
Aliyah Reviee 3:1-13
The Levites are appointed to serve in the Tabernacle, guard its vessels and assist the priests with their Tabernacle duties. This honour originally belonged to the Yisraelite firstborns, who were "acquired" by YHVH when He spared them during the Plague of the Firstborn. This privilege was taken away from them when they participated in the sin of the Golden Calf -- and given to the Levites.
Num 3:1 And these are the generations of Aharon and Mosheh when יהוה spoke with Mosheh on Mount Sinai.
Num 3:2 And these are the names of the sons of Aharon: Naḏaḇ, the first-born, and Aḇihu, El’azar, and Ithamar.
Talmud, Sanhedrin 19
“He who teaches the son of his fellow the Torah, Scripture ascribes it to him as if he had begotten him, as it says: "And these are the generations of Aaron and Moses"--and only the sons of Aaron are listed. Aaron begot them and Moses taught them, and they are called by Moses' name.”
Num 3:3 These are the names of the sons of Aharon, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to act as priests.
Num 3:4 And Naḏaḇ and Aḇihu had died before יהוה when they brought strange fire before יהוה in the Wilderness of Sinai. And they had no children. So El’azar and Ithamar acted as priests in the presence of Aharon their father.
Num 3:5 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,
Num 3:6 “Bring the tribe of Lĕwi near, and set them before Aharon the priest, and they shall serve him,
Num 3:7 and shall guard his duty and the duty of all the congregation before the Tent of Meeting, to do the service of the Dwelling Place.
Num 3:8 “And they shall guard all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, and the duty of the children of Yisra’ĕl, to do the service of the Dwelling Place.
Num 3:9 “And you shall give the Lĕwites to Aharon and his sons. They are the given ones, given to him from among the children of Yisra’ĕl.
Num 3:10 “And appoint Aharon and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. And the stranger who comes near shall be put to death.”
Num 3:11 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,
Num 3:12 “Now look, I Myself have taken the Lĕwites from among the children of Yisra’ĕl instead of every first-born who opens the womb among the children of Yisra’ĕl. And the Lĕwites shall be Mine,
(Maimonides)
Not only the tribe of Levi, but any man of all the inhabitants of the earth whose spirit has moved him and whose mind has given him to understand to set himself aside to stand before HaShem to serve Him, to worship Him, to know HaShem and walk justly as HaShem has created him [justly], and he cast from his neck the yoke of the many calculations that men seek--this man has become set apart, a “kodesh ha kodeshim,” and HaShem shall be his portion and his lot forever, and shall merit him his needs in this world, as He has merited the Kohanim and the Levites.
Num 3:13 because all the first-born are Mine. On the day that I struck all the first-born in the land of Mitsrayim, I set apart to Myself all the first-born in Yisra’ĕl, both man and beast. They are Mine, I am יהוה.”
YHVH has chosen a way for us to return into His presence. He has also chosen a people who are willing and called to be priests who will intercede and pray and minister to those He calls back into His presence.
Rom 10:1 Truly brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to Elohim for Yisra’ĕl is for deliverance.
Rom 10:2 For I bear them witness that they have an ardour for Elohim, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3 For not knowing the righteousness of Elohim, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not subject themselves to1 the righteousness of Elohim. Footnote: 1Or did not obey.
Rom 10:4 For Messiah is the goal1 of the ‘Torah unto righteousness’to everyone who believes. Footnote: 1Or end purpose; not termination.
This righteousness of YHVH can only be attained through MEDIATION. Many believers don’t always like taking instruction from someone else. We like to be in charge of our own lives and destinies. The righteousness of YHVH does not work that way. This is essentially the sin of Adam and Eve, they chose to do what they thought was right instead of submitting to YHVH’s way of what was right and righteous.
Many believers today believe that the Levitical priesthood has been done away with. The instruction of the Torah are very plain that their priesthood was for all generations, while heaven and earth are still present, the Levitical priesthood and the offerings (Temples sacrifices) will still be valid. Yahshua has a superior priesthood (Melchizidek). (Mat 5:17-19)
The Levitical priesthood prepares us for entering into the physical presence of YHVH forever, while Yahshua’s priesthood is the only priesthood capable of bringing us into the presence of YHVH forever. These two priesthoods don’t contradict or replace the other but point to each other.
In the meantime we are called to take up our execution stake (cross) daily and follow Yahshua while there is no service of the Temple available since its destruction.
Now many believers may object to this kind of teaching. I believe disregarding the implications of this Torah instruction could exclude them from the first resurrection. (The second census Num 26)
Thus the instruction in this Torah portion concerning the redemption of the “firstborn” lies at the very heart of our righteousness before YHVH. We don’t get to choose how this righteousness is obtained and maintained, we by faith in YHVH’s redemption can receive it guard and walk in obedience to His set apart righteousness and righteous ways as shown to us in the Torah.
Consider for a moment the Hebrew meaning of the word “Levi” the Hebrew word for heart is “lev” when you add a “yud” to Levi it can also mean “my heart” The Levitical priesthood was meant to prepare us for the Melchizedek priesthood in showing us THE HEART OF FATHER YHVH.
Gentiles are not excluded from the Levitical priesthood.
“Maimonides, as it were, opens up the closed society of the Levites. He offers a vision, and note that it is a vision for all humanity, of the possibility to transcend the limits defined in this week's Torah portion. He suggests that each of us can potentially become a Levite, even if we are born to parents of other tribes.
What is, strictly speaking, an ascribed role becomes for Maimonides a role which can be achieved by anyone. This is a drastic, almost revolutionary, statement.
But it is one which challenges every one of us and offers each of us an opportunity. It is not only the biblical Levite who can attain closeness to YHVH and spiritual sublimity. We all can.
But to do so, we need the motivation to assume greater responsibility, to suffer solitude, to be absolutely just and righteous, to teach others who might not wish to be taught. Then we all can achieve the benefits which were the due of the ancient tribe of Levi”.
Yeshayahu/Isa 66:21 “And from them (gentile in this context) too I shall take for priests – for Lĕwites,” declares יהוה.”
Baruch HaShem ex Gentiles can also be Levites in the coming millennium.
1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a set-apart nation, a people for a possession, that you should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light,
1Pe 2:10 who once were not a people, but now the people of Elohim; who had not obtained compassion, but now obtained compassion.
Aliyah Chamishi 3:14-39
Num 3:14 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying,
Num 3:15 “Register the children of Lĕwi by their fathers’ houses, by their clans. Register every male from a month old and above.”
Num 3:16 So Mosheh registered them according to the word of יהוה, as he had been commanded.
Num 3:17 And these were the sons of Lĕwi by their names: Gĕreshon, and Qehath, and Merari.
YHVH proceeded to instruct Moshe from verse 21 onward as to the exact location of each tribe. The overall camp was divided into 4 smaller camps consisting of three tribes per camp. Each camp was lead by a tribe. The four heads were Yehudah, Reuven, Ephrayim and Dan. The instructions concerning Yissachar are found in Bemidbar 2 verses five and six.
The three Levite families are counted, and a leader is appointed for each of the families. The total of all (non-firstborn) Levites eligible for this census: 22,000.
The Kehot family camped directly south of the Tabernacle, and was in charge of transporting all the holy vessels.
The Merari family camped to the north of the Tabernacle, and they were in charge of carrying the Tabernacle beams, panels, and sockets.
Moshe, Aaron, and their immediate families camped to the east of the Tabernacle.
Num 3:25 And the duty of the children of Gĕreshon in the Tent of Meeting was the Dwelling Place, and the tent with its covering, and the covering of the door of the Tent of Meeting,
Num 3:26 and the screens of the courtyard and the covering of the door of the courtyard, which is around the Dwelling Place and the altar, and their cords, according to all its service.
Num 3:29 The clans of the children of Qehath were to camp on the south side of the Dwelling Place.
Num 3:30 And the leader of the fathers’ house of the clans of the Qehathites was Elitsaphan, son of Uzzi’ĕl.
Num 3:31 And their duty was the ark, and the table, and the lampstand, and the altars, and the utensils of the set-apart place used in the service, and the covering, and all its service.
Num 3:32 And Elʽazar, son of Aharon the priest, was to be chief over the leaders of the Lĕwites, with oversight of those who guard the duty of the set-apart place.
Num 3:33 From Merari came the clan of the Maḥlites and the clan of the Mushites. These were the clans of Merari.
Num 3:34 And the number of their registered ones, all the males from a month old and above, were six thousand two hundred.
Num 3:35 And the leader of the fathers’ house of the clans of Merari was Tsuri’ĕl, son of Aḇiḥayil. These were to camp on the north side of the Dwelling Place.
Num 3:36 And the appointed duty of the children of Merari was the boards of the Dwelling Place, and its bars, and its columns, and its sockets, and its utensils, and all its service,
Num 3:37 and the columns of the courtyard all around, with their sockets, and their pegs, and their cords.
Num 3:38 And those who were to camp before the Dwelling Place on the east, before the Tent of Meeting, were Mosheh and Aharon, and his sons, guarding the duty of the set-apart place, and the duty of the children of Yisra’ĕl. But the stranger who came near was to be put to death.
Num 3:39 All the registered ones of the Lĕwites, whom Mosheh and Aharon registered at the command of יהוה, by their clans, all the males from a month old and above, were twenty-two thousand.
Aliyah Shishi 3:40-51
YHVH tells Moshe to count all the firstborn Yisraelites -- because the set apartness of each Yisraelite firstborn was now to be "transferred" to a Levite. The census revealed that there were 273 more firstborn than Levites. Each of these "extra" firstborns (according to the sages was determined by a lottery) gave five shekel to the priests, and was thus "redeemed."
Num 3:40 And יהוה said to Mosheh, “Register all the first-born males of the children of Yisra’ĕl from a month old and above, and take the number of their names.
Num 3:41 “And you shall take the Lĕwites for Me – I am יהוה – instead of all the first-born among the children of Yisra’ĕl, and the livestock of the Lĕwites instead of all the first-born among the livestock of the children of Yisra’ĕl.”
Num 3:42 And Mosheh registered all the first-born among the children of Yisra’ĕl as יהוה had commanded him.
Num 3:43 And all the first-born males, by the number of names, from one month old and above of their registered ones, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.
Num 3:44 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,
Num 3:45 “Take the Lĕwites instead of all the first-born among the children of Yisra’ĕl, and the livestock of the Lĕwites instead of their livestock. And the Lĕwites shall be Mine, I am יהוה.
Num 3:46 “And for the ransom of the two hundred and seventy-three of the first-born of the children of Yisra’ĕl, who are more than the number of the Lĕwites,
Num 3:47 you shall take five sheqels for each one, head by head – take it by the sheqel of the set-apart place, the sheqel of twenty gĕrahs.
Num 3:48 “And you shall give the silver, the ransom of those who are in excess among them, to Aharon and his sons.”
Num 3:49 And Mosheh took the ransom silver from those who were over and above those who were ransomed by the Lĕwites.
Num 3:50 From the first-born of the children of Yisra’ĕl he took the silver, one thousand three hundred and sixty-five pieces, according to the sheqel of the set-apart place.
Num 3:51 And Mosheh gave their ransom silver to Aharon, and to his sons, according to the word of יהוה, as יהוה had commanded Mosheh.
Pidyon HaBen, (Hebrew: פדיון הבן; Trans. Redemption of the Son), is a ritual in Judaism whereby a firstborn son is redeemed from priestly obligations from a Kohen (a member of the priestly family).
In the traditional ceremony, the father brings the child to the Kohen (Levite) and recites a formula, or responds to ritual questions, indicating that this is the Israelite mother's firstborn son and he has come to redeem him as commanded in the Torah. The Kohen asks the father which he would rather have, the child or the five silver shekels which he must pay. The father states that he prefers the child to the money, then he recites a blessing and hands over five silver coins (or an equivalent amount of total silver). The Kohen holds the coins over the child and declares that the redemption price is received and accepted in place in the child. He then blesses the child and returns him to the custody of his family.
Some in the Messianic family are returning to this practice. (Remember it remains one of the commandments while heaven and earth are still in existence – Mat 5:17-19)
The following two verses in the Apostolic writings also present us with an interesting situation to consider: Acts 1:15 & John 21:11 - 120 in the upper room, plus the 153 (gematria of bnei ha Elohim) fish equal 273.
Aliyah Sheviee 4:1-20
Moshe is commanded to take a census of the Levites of the family of Kehot, but only those eligible to transport the Tabernacle and its vessels -- those between the ages of thirty and fifty. The results of this census are given in next week's reading. This section then describes the duties of the Kehot family. When the Tabernacle was to be dismantled, the priests would cover all the set apart vessels with specially designated sacks. The Kehot family would then take the covered vessels and carry them to their destination.
Num 4:1 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, and to Aharon, saying,
Num 4:2 “Take a census of the sons of Qehath from among the children of Lĕwi, by their clans, by their fathers’ house,
Num 4:3 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the Tent of Meeting.
Num 4:15 “And when Aharon and his sons have finished covering the set-apart objects and all the furnishings of the Set-apart Place at the breaking of camp, then the sons of Qehath shall come to lift them, but let them not touch that which is set-apart, lest they die. These matters are the burden of the sons of Qehath in the Tent of Meeting.
Num 4:16 “And the oversight of El’azar, son of Aharon the priest, is the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily grain offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the Dwelling Place and all that is in it, with the set-apart place and its furnishings.”
Num 4:17 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, and to Aharon, saying,
Num 4:18 “Do not cut off the tribe of the clans of the Qehathites from among the Lĕwites,
Num 4:19 but do this to them, and they shall live and not die when they approach the most set-apart objects: Aharon and his sons shall go in and appoint each of them to his service and his burden.
Num 4:20 “They are not, however, to go in to watch while the set-apart objects are being covered, lest they die.”
Note carefully that the most set apart objects were lifted and carried on the shoulders of the Kohathites. YHVH has not changed this ruling. He has set apart those who will carry the burden of His Esteem in this world.
King David ignored this instruction and transported the Ark of the Covenant on a wagon. When Uzziah touched the ark he was instantly killed. (2 Sam 6:1-12, Ex 25:12-15)
“Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-‘Olam,
asher natan lanu Toraht-emet,
v’chay-yeh o’lam nata-b’tochenu.
Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”
(Blessed are you Yahweh, our Elohim, King of the Universe,
you have given us your Torah of truth,
and have planted everlasting life within our midst.
Blessed are you, YHVH giver of the Torah.
Ameyn.)
Please note these notes are under construction and are subject to correction and are in no way a final authority on any subject.