_Full, satisfied, in the last year of his reign, and the 70th of his age. (Du Hamel) --- Cur non ut plenus vitæ conviva recedit? (Lucretius iii.) --- Israel. This example was much followed by succeeding kings. (Calmet) --- Yet this is controverted. (Houbigant) (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Princes, heads of families, or officers of the army, chap. xxv. 1. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Numbered at the same time, when David caused his son to be crowned, and made these fresh regulations, ver. 27., and chap. xxvi. 31. --- Upwards, according to the plan given by Moses. David afterwards ordered people of twenty years of age, to begin to serve in the tabernacle, as it was now fixed, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Overseers. Hebrew shoterim. Septuagint, "scribes." Others suppose "lictors and executioners," who attended the judges. (Grotius) --- These were functions from which the priests were exempted; (Calmet) so that the Levites alone are meant. (Menochius) --- Judges. They had to decide the causes of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_David. Literally, "he." Septuagint, "they." Protestants, "which I made ( said David) to praise therewith. " (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Into 24 courses, like the priests, that each class might serve twice a year for a whole week, chap. xxiv. 31. (Tirinus) --- God had already made choice of the posterity of Levi; and David, with the princes, Sadoc, &c., disposed of them by lots, (chap. xxiv. 6.) to serve in the tabernacle, and in th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Leedan, or Lebni, Numbers iii. 18. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Chief, head of the rest; (Haydock) or all these three were chiefs, (Junius) no less than the sons of Semei, ver. 9._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Semei; perhaps (Calmet) sons of Joel. (Du Hamel) --- The brother of Leedan had four sons, ver. 10. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ziza. Hebrew has "Zina," but reads "Ziza," ver. 11. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Children. All together were not more than the children of each of the preceding, so that they only formed one class. (Tirinus) --- It would have been too burdensome for them to have performed the same service with those who were far more numerous: (Haydock) therefore the sons of Semei were joined w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Minister. Hebrew, "to sanctify the holy of holies." --- His. Hebrew, "in his name," with solemnity, Numbers vi. 23. The Levites might bless the name of the Lord._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Levi, but not among the priests, (Calmet) though their father was an extraordinary priest, appointed by God to anoint Aaron, Psalm xcviii. (Du Hamel)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Eliezer. His being uncircumcised, had almost proved fatal to his father, Exodus iv. 24. (Menochius) --- First. He might have other brothers, (Calmet) though the title may be given to an only son, ver. 17., and Matthew i. 25. Subuel was perhaps (Haydock) chief of a family, (Calmet) and was appointed... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XXIII.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Old. See ver. 3., and Numbers iv. 3. --- And upwards; as long as they were able to serve. They were excused from carrying the tabernacle, &c., at fifty years of age, Numbers viii. 25. (Abulensis) (Menochius) --- To those who were turned of thirty, the higher offices were entrusted; while the Levite... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ever. They will not have to carry, the sacred vessels about, as formerly. (Haydock) --- In order that they may not be idle, we must therefore provide them some other employment, ver. 28, &c. (Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Place. Hebrew, "purifying all that is holy;" (Haydock) keeping clean all that is used about the sacred ministry. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the priests, &c. This is not found in Hebrew or Septuagint. The Levites might prepare these things; though the priests alone were to offer them in sacrifice. (Tirinus) (Chap. ix. 32., and Leviticus xxiv. 8.) --- Others think that (Calmet) the priests received flour from the people, and baked it... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Levites. This also is omitted in Hebrew, "and to stand," &c., as all the preceding offices pertained to the Levites, (Haydock) and priests were bound equally with them to praise the Lord._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord. Music accompanied this service twice a day, as it did the sacrifices which were offered for the prince, or for the nation, Numbers x. 10. (Calmet) --- Rest. Hebrew, "the set festivals, by number, according to the order prescribed unto them continually," &c. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Brethren. Let them follow the directions of the high priests, who are of the same tribe. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]