Numbers 3:14-39

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 hangings, the Kohathites on the S. that of the contents, the Merarites on the N. that of the framework. On the E., the position of most honour, Moses, Aaron, and the priests had their station.

Numbers 3:25. the tabernacle: i.e. the linen curtains of Exodus 26:1 *. the tent: i.e. the goats-' -hair curtains of Exodus 26:7. the covering: i.e. the rams'skins of Exodus 26:14 *.

Numbers 3:26. the altar: i.e. of burnt-offering.

Numbers 3:28. Read eight thousand three hundred.

Numbers 3:31. the table: i.e. of shewbread. the altars: i.e. of burnt-offering and of incense. The latter, which is ignored in Numbers 3:26, was probably of late origin: incense was at first burnt in censers (Numbers 16:6 f.). the screen: i.e. the veil (Numbers 3:45) between the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place. The laver (Exodus 30:18 *) is overlooked in this enumeration.