Numbers 3:12 kjva — And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the…

King James Version with Apocrypha

"And 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 3:12, King James Version with Apocrypha

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Numbers 3:12 in Other Translations

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Numbers 3 — Context

9

And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.

10

And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

11

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

12

And 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;

13

Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the Lord.

14

And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,

15

Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.

Numbers 3:12 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Numbers 3:12 say?
Numbers 3:12 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “And 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;”
Where is Numbers 3:12 in the Bible?
Numbers 3:12 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Numbers, chapter 3, verse 12.
Who wrote Numbers?
Numbers is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Numbers about?
Numbers records Israel's forty years of wilderness wandering — two censuses (hence the name), rebellions, the failure at Kadesh-Barnea, and the slow journey to the plains of Moab. It is a sober portrait of human unbelief and God's patient faithfulness across a generation.
What are the major themes of Numbers?
Numbers explores themes including Wilderness, Faithfulness, Rebellion, Guidance, Provision. These themes shape the meaning and context of Numbers 3:12.
What translation should I read Numbers 3:12 in?
Numbers 3:12 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Numbers 3:12?
Numbers 3:12 reads (KJVA): “And 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;” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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