AARON'S SONS. These constituted a priestly order (Numbers 3:10). The description of these (who during their father's lifetime were only ordinary priests) as anointed (Numbers 3:3) agrees with Exodus 40:15 but not with the earlier ch. 29, where only Aaron (Numbers 3:7) and his descendants who should... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RELATIONS OF THE LEVITES TO THE PRIESTS. The Levites (_i.e._ the non-Aaronite descendants of Levi), who are here regarded as given (Numbers 3:9) by Israel to the priests to be their servants, are to have no share in the priesthood itself, which is limited to the descendants of Aaron (Numbers 3:1... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RELATION OF THE LEVITES TO THE PEOPLE. The Levites are here considered as dedicated to Yahweh in lieu of the first-born of Israel to whom He had a claim, and for whom no redemption money had been paid in the past (in the future every first-born child is to be redeemed by the payment of 5 shekels... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NUMBERS OF THE LEVITES, THEIR POSITION AND DUTIES. The census here described included all Levites above one month, whose numbers amounted to 22,000. Their three divisions, when the camp was stationary, formed a _cordon_ round the Tabernacle. The Gershonites on the W. had the care of the external... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NUMBERS OF THE FIRST-BORN MALES IN ISRAEL ABOVE ONE MONTH. The figure (22,273) is out of proportion to the total population given in 146; for if it is doubled (for an equal number of females), the result is only 44,546, so that for every first-born person there were approximately 44 who were not... [ Continue Reading ]
THE REDEMPTION BY MONEY OF THE RESIDUE OF THE FIRST-BORN._ Cf._ Numbers 3:12 f_._ Since the first-born of Israel (22,273) exceed the Levites (22,000, see Numbers 3:39), those in excess are to be redeemed at 5 silver shekels (about 13_ s_. 9_ d.)_ a head. NUMBERS 3:47. Read, after the sacred shekel... [ Continue Reading ]