“And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.”
Context:Numbers 18 deals with the responsibilities and privileges of the Levites, who were set apart by God for service in the tabernacle. This chapter specifically addresses the priests and their role in the offerings and tithes brought by the people of Israel.
Redemption:In verse 15, it is stated that all the firstborn of Israel, both of man and beast, belong to the Lord. However, instead of sacrificing the firstborn children, God established a system of redemption. In verse 16, the redemption of the firstborn is discussed.
Redemption of the Firstborn:The verse states that those who are to be redeemed from a month old shall be redeemed. In the Jewish culture, the firstborn son held a special status, but they were to be “redeemed” by offering a payment to the priests in place of their service in the tabernacle. This practice symbolized that all firstborn belonged to God.
Estimation and Price:The verse mentions that the redemption is to be done according to estimation, which implies that the priest would assess the value of the child to determine the amount of money required for redemption. The redemption price set for a firstborn son was five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. The shekel was a unit of weight used for monetary purposes, and the sanctuary shekel was the standard measurement.
Spiritual Significance:The redemption of the firstborn carries symbolic and spiritual significance. The firstborn was a representation of the entire family, and the redemption highlighted the sanctity of life and the acknowledgment that all belonged to God. It also served as a reminder of God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt when He spared their firstborn during the final plague.
Jesus as the Ultimate Redemption:The concept of redemption seen in Numbers 18:16 finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the “firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15) and the “firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus became the ultimate redemption for humanity, offering Himself as a payment for our sins.
In summary:Numbers 18:16 discusses the redemption of the firstborn among the Israelites. It emphasizes the significance of the firstborn and the need to redeem them through a monetary payment to the priests. This practice symbolized that all firstborn belonged to God and pointed forward to Jesus Christ, who became the ultimate redemption for humanity.
