_A second account of the Levitical census, and the duties of the three families_ In Numbers 3:22; Numbers 3:28; Numbers 3:34 the numbers of the Levites have already been ascertained, but in Numbers 4:2; Numbers 4:22; Numbers 4:29 Moses is commanded to number those who are of age for service. Chs. 3... [ Continue Reading ]
The Kohathites and their duties.... [ Continue Reading ]
The period of active service for the Levites is here laid down as between 30 50 years of age. But in Numbers 8:23-26 it is between 25 50, though certain duties might be performed after that age. And in 1 Chronicles 23:24; 1 Chronicles 23:27; 2 Chronicles 31:17; Ezra 3:8 it begins at 20, and there is... [ Continue Reading ]
_the most holy things_ The furniture and utensils of the Dwelling, enumerated in Numbers 4:5. The -service of the sons of Kohath" is not stated till Numbers 4:15 b. Before they could perform their duty of carrying the sacred objects the priests must cover them up, that the Levites may neither touch... [ Continue Reading ]
When finally ready for the march the burden of the Kohathites would be seen simply as six large packages as follows. (i) The _Ark_(Numbers 4:5 f.), covered with the -veil of the screen" (see on Numbers 3:31), and a water-proof covering of dugong skin, and over this a VIOLET cloth. It was carried by... [ Continue Reading ]
_shewbread_ PRESENCE-BREAD, i.e. bread that is placed in the divine Presence. 1 Samuel 21:6 is evidence that the practice was observed in early times. It was probably a relic of the primitive heathen notion that gods actually partook of bread that was offered to them. _the continual bread_ The expre... [ Continue Reading ]
_they shall not touch the sanctuary_ Better _the_ HOLY THINGS, as in R.V. marg. The Heb. word is strictly a singular abstract substantive, -the sacredness," which is here employed to denote the whole collection of sacred objects.... [ Continue Reading ]
Eleazar superintends the Kohathites, and has personal charge of the oil for the light (Exodus 27:20), the -incense of sweet spices" (Exodus 25:6; Exodus 30:34-38), the -continual meal-offering," and the anointing oil (Exodus 30:22-33).... [ Continue Reading ]
The Gershonites and their duties. They carry (in wagons Numbers 7:7) all the hangings and coverings of which the Dwelling and the court are composed.... [ Continue Reading ]
_whatsoever shall be done with them_ ALL THAT MAY HAVE TO BE DONE WITH REGARD TO THEM; e.g. the undoing of the hooks and loops, the rolling up of the strips of curtain and so on.... [ Continue Reading ]
_ye shall appoint_ The subject is apparently Moses and Aaron. LXX. (perhaps rightly) has a singular verb referring to Moses alone. _in charge_ Perhaps, with LXX., read BY NAME (בְּשֵׁמֹת for בְּמִשְׁמֶרֶת) as in Numbers 4:32.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ithamar superintends both the Gershonites and the Merarites (Numbers 4:33).... [ Continue Reading ]
The Merarites and their duties. They carry (in wagons Numbers 7:8) the wooden framework of the Dwelling, and everything else of wood bars, pillars and pins (or rather PEGS) the silver BASES (R.V. -sockets") of the framework and the bronze bases of the pillars of the court.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the instruments of the charge of their burden_ i.e. _the_ ARTICLES COMMITTED TO THEIR CHARGE TO CARRY.... [ Continue Reading ]
34 49. A detailed statement that Moses and Aaron numbered the men between the ages of 30 and 50 in the three Levitical families, as had been commanded.... [ Continue Reading ]
_thus were they numbered of him, as_&c. This is a paraphrase which gives the required sense. The Heb. is corrupt, but the LXX. reads AND THEY WERE NUMBERED, AS &c.1 [Note: Apparently וַיְפֻקְדוּ כַאֲשֶׁר for וּפְקֻדָיו אֲשֶׁר.]... [ Continue Reading ]