_A.M. 2514. B.C. 1490._ In this chapter we have an account, (1,) _ Of the priests, Numbers 3:1._ (2,) _ The work of the Levites, taken instead of the firstborn, Numbers 3:5._ (3,) _ Of the number, place, and charge of each family; the Gershonites, Numbers 3:14. The Kohathites, Numbers 3:27. The... [ Continue Reading ]
All the other tribes being mustered and registered, and the genealogy of each stated, next follows all account of the priests and Levites, first of their descent from the two principal heads of their families; namely, Aaron and Moses; and then of the particular services allotted to each family. _The... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the sight of Aaron_ Under his inspection and direction, and as his servants or ministers in the priest's office.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Present them_ Offer them to the Lord for his special service. This was promised to them before, and now actually conferred.... [ Continue Reading ]
_His charge_ That is, Aaron's, or those things which were committed principally to Aaron's care and oversight. _Of the congregation _ That is, of all the sacrifices and services which were due to the Lord from all the people. Because the people might not perform them, in their own persons, therefore... [ Continue Reading ]
_Of the children of Israel_ Those things which all the children of Israel are in their several places and stations obliged to take care of, though not in their persons, yet by others in their stead. _Given to him_ To attend upon him and observe his orders, and ease him of his burden.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The stranger_ That is, every one who is of another family than Aaron's; yea, though he be a Levite. _That cometh nigh_ To execute any part of the priest's office.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The firstborn_ Who were God's property: (Exodus 13:12,) and to whom the administration of holy things was formerly committed, which now was taken away from them, either because they had forfeited this privilege by joining with the rest of their brethren in the idolatrous worship of the calf, or bec... [ Continue Reading ]
_From a month old_ Because at that time the firstborn, in whose stead the Levites came, were offered to God. And from that time the Levites were consecrated to God, and were, as soon as capable, instructed in their work. Elsewhere they are numbered from twenty-five years old, when they were entered... [ Continue Reading ]
_The tabernacle_ Not the boards, which belonged to Merari, (Numbers 3:36,) but the ten curtains. _The tent_ The curtains of goats' hair. _The coverings_ That is, the coverings of rams' skins and badgers' skins. _The cords_ By which the tabernacle was fastened to the pins, and stretched out, Exodus 3... [ Continue Reading ]
_Of Kohath_ This family had many privileges above the others: of that were Moses and Aaron, and all the priests: they had the chief place about the tabernacle, and the care of the most holy things there, and in the land of Canaan they had twenty-three cities, which were almost as many as both their... [ Continue Reading ]
_The hanging_ Which covered the most holy place, for all other hangings belonged to the Gershonites. _The service_ That is, all the other furniture belonging to it.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Chief_ Next under the high-priest; whence he is called _the second priest_, (2 Kings 25:18,) and in case of the high-priest's absence by sickness or other necessary occasions, he was to perform his work; and he had a superiority over all the rest of the priests and Levites. _The chief of the Levite... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the charge_ Either in their stead, that charge which they were obliged to keep, if God had not committed it to those: or for their benefit; _for_ their _preservation_, as the word may be rendered.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Two and twenty thousand_ If the particular numbers mentioned (Numbers 3:22; Numbers 3:28; Num 3:34) be put together, they make twenty-two thousand three hundred. But the odd three hundred are omitted here, either according to the use of the Holy Scripture, where in so great numbers small ones are c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Instead of the firstborn_ Such as are now alive of them; but those which should be born of them hereafter are otherwise disposed of. _Cattle of the Levites_ Not that they were to be taken from the Levites, or to be sacrificed to God, any more than the Levites themselves were; but they, together wit... [ Continue Reading ]
_For those that are to be redeemed_ It is probable, in the exchange they began with the eldest of the firstborn, and so downward, so that those were to be redeemed who were the two hundred and seventy- three youngest of them.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Five shekels_ Which was the price paid for the redemption of a firstborn a month old.... [ Continue Reading ]