Numbers 3:40

And the Lord said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.

Cross-references

Numbers 3:12 establishes that Levites replace firstborn; this verse commands numbering the firstborn for that purpose.

Numbers 3:15 commands numbering Levites; here the parallel command for firstborn is given.

Numbers 3:45 applies the substitution principle after the counting commanded here.

Numbers 3:39 records the Levite census by families, directly preceding the command to number the firstborn in this verse—immediate context.

Exodus 32:26-29 shows the Levites' zeal, which explains why they were chosen over firstborn as this verse commands.