Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 18:16. It’s a really important passage about how God treats new life and protects vulnerable individuals. Here’s a simple explanation: What it means in plain language: “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.” Let’s unpack each part: "Those that are to be redeemed from a month old..." – This means God is looking at new babies and children who are just born. It's about protecting those in their first few months of life. "...according to thine estimation..." - This is key! “Estimation” means judging something based on your own opinion or feeling, rather than a strict rule. God isn’t making a perfect calculation; He's looking at what feels right and appropriate. "...for the money of five shekels..." – Five silver coins (shekels) – this is the amount he’s willing to spend on saving these new lives. "...after the shekel of the sanctuary..." - This refers to a very important symbol in Jewish tradition: the Shecamel. The Shecamel was sacred and symbolized protection, and it was often associated with God's presence. “The Sanctuary” is a place where God’s people prayed and worshipped. "...which [is] twenty gerahs." - This is a very long amount of time – 20 grishes . A gridge is roughly equivalent to about 30 minutes. This represents the time it takes for a newborn baby to grow and develop, which is a significant period of life. So, putting it all together: God is willing to spend five silver coins to save new babies and children who are just born. He’s willing to do this after using the symbolic representation of the Shecamel, representing protection and God's presence. Why is this important? This passage highlights God’s incredible care for all life, especially the vulnerable. It shows that He sees value in every new life and will protect them with a significant amount of resources. It also emphasizes the importance of reverence and dedication to God’s presence – dedicating time and effort to protecting those he loves. In essence, it's a powerful reminder that God cares deeply about new life and is willing to invest in its protection. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or example?