Numbers 8:16
For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נְתֻנִ֥ים
For they are wholly given
H5414
נְתֻנִ֥ים
For they are wholly given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
נְתֻנִ֥ים
For they are wholly given
H5414
נְתֻנִ֥ים
For they are wholly given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
3 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
מִתּ֖וֹךְ
unto me from among
H8432
מִתּ֖וֹךְ
unto me from among
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
6 of 19
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
מִבְּנֵ֣י
of all the children
H1121
מִבְּנֵ֣י
of all the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
תַּחַת֩
H8478
תַּחַת֩
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
9 of 19
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
פִּטְרַ֨ת
instead of such as open
H6363
פִּטְרַ֨ת
instead of such as open
Strong's:
H6363
Word #:
10 of 19
a fissure, i.e., (concretely) firstling (as opening the matrix)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כֹּל֙
H3605
כֹּל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִבְּנֵ֣י
of all the children
H1121
מִבְּנֵ֣י
of all the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
16 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לָקַ֥חְתִּי
have I taken
H3947
לָקַ֥חְתִּי
have I taken
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
17 of 19
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
Cross References
Numbers 3:12And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;Numbers 3:45Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD.Numbers 3:9And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.
Historical Context
After the golden calf apostasy (Exodus 32), the tribe of Levi was chosen for exclusive service. They numbered 22,000 males (Numbers 3:39), slightly fewer than the 22,273 firstborn sons of Israel, requiring a redemption payment for the difference (Numbers 3:46-51).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to be 'wholly given' to God in an age of divided loyalties and competing allegiances?
- How does the substitutionary principle of the Levites inform your understanding of Christ's atoning sacrifice?
- In what sense are all Christians 'given ones,' set apart from the world for God's purposes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
They are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel (נְתֻנִים נְתֻנִים הֵמָּה לִי, netunim netunim hemah li)—the emphatic repetition 'given, given' (a Hebrew intensification pattern) stresses total dedication. God claims the Levites instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn (תַּחַת פֶּטֶר כָּל־רֶחֶם תַּחַת בְּכוֹר), establishing the substitutionary principle at the heart of biblical redemption.
The firstborn belonged to God by right of Passover redemption (Exodus 13:2), but the Levites become corporate substitutes—a tribe for individuals across all tribes. This prefigures the ultimate substitution: Christ, the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15), given in place of the many. The language of being 'wholly given' echoes Paul's exhortation to present ourselves 'wholly' to God (1 Thessalonians 5:23).