The “generations” (see Genesis 2:4) now given, though entitled those of Aaron and Moses (Aaron standing first as the older brother), are those of Aaron only. The personal dignity of Moses, though it gave him rank as at the head of his tribe, was not hereditary. He had, and desired to have Numbers 14... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM HE CONSECRATED - i. e. whom Moses consecrated, or literally as in the margin, whose “hand he filled,” by conferring their office upon them (Leviticus 8:1 ff).... [ Continue Reading ]
KEEP HIS CHARGE - i. e. so assist him that the obligations incumbent on him and on the congregation may be fulfilled.... [ Continue Reading ]
The concluding words are better expressed thus: “Mine shall they be, Mine, the Lord’s.” On the subject of the firstborn see the notes at Numbers 3:43.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CORDS ... THE SERVICE THEREOF - i. e. of the tabernacle, not of the hangings of the court, for these, with their cords and other fittings, belonged to the charge of the Merarites Numbers 3:36. The tabernacle was under the care of the Gershonites.... [ Continue Reading ]
Of the Levites, the Kohathites, the kinsmen of Moses and Aaron, and the most numerous, have the most important charge confided to them, namely, that of the ark, the altars, and the more especially sacred furniture generally.... [ Continue Reading ]
TWENTY AND TWO THOUSAND - A number on which the commutation with the firstborn of the twelve tribes depends Numbers 3:43. The actual total of the male Levites is 22,300 (compare Numbers 3:22, Numbers 3:28, Numbers 3:34): and the extra 300 are considered by some to represent those who, being first-bo... [ Continue Reading ]
This result, when compared with the number of male adults (603,550, compare Numbers 2:32), is small, the usual proportion of first-born sons to a total male population being about one in four: and the explanation offered is that the law of Exodus 13:1, prescribed a dedication of those only who shoul... [ Continue Reading ]
This redemption money (see the marginal references) would perhaps be exacted from the parents of the “youngest” children of the 22,273 Numbers 3:43. The cattle of the Levites was doubtless taken in the gross as an equivalent for the first-born cattle of the other tribes, which of course, no less tha... [ Continue Reading ]