The people being in rebellion, the Levites, responding in a body to Moses" appeal for help, seize their swords, and slay 3000 of them. For the zeal thus displayed on Jehovah's behalf, they are rewarded with the priesthood. It is noticeable that, though Aaron is a -Levite" (Exodus 4:17: see note), the other -Levites" here take part against him. For another view of these verses, viz. that they are not in their original context, and that they describe the punishment, not for the worship of the Golden Calf, but for some independent act of rebellion against Jehovah, see Di., C.-H., and McNeile (pp. xxxiv f., 207 f.).

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