2_When thou lightest the lamps. _This precept, like many others, is not inserted in its proper place. Moses again declares what was the use of the candlestick, and how the lamps should be arranged, so that their light might be spread through the sanctuary, and that the brightness of the gold might s... [ Continue Reading ]
5._And the Lord spake unto Moses. _Although the Levites were not allowed to go into the sanctuary, but were only the priests’ ministers, and chiefly employed in servile duties, yet, inasmuch as they carried the tabernacle and the sacred vessels, prepared the sacrifices, took away the ashes and other... [ Continue Reading ]
6._Take the Levites from among. _To take them from among the children of Israel, is equivalent to subtracting them from the number of the people, that they might not be included in the general _census, _and accounted to be one of the tribes. This separation, then, as he will more clearly express a l... [ Continue Reading ]
7._And thus shalt thou do unto them. _Aaron is commanded first to sprinkle the water of purifying upon them, to cleanse them from their uncleanness; and not only so, but they are commanded to wash their clothes, that they may diligently beware of any impurity being anywhere about them, whereby their... [ Continue Reading ]
16._For they are wholly given. _Lest the other tribes should complain that the number of the people was diminished, God declares that the Levites were alienated from the race of Abraham, since He had acquired them to Himself when He smote all the first-born of Egypt; for it is certain that the first... [ Continue Reading ]
19._And I have given the Levites. _He declares on what terms He desires to have them as His own, viz., that they may be directed by Aaron, and obey his commands; for by “a gift” is not to be understood such an act as that whereby a person resigns and cedes his own right to another; but, when He devo... [ Continue Reading ]
20._And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation _The Levites also are now inaugurated for the performance of their duties, but in their proper order, because their condition was inferior. Here it must be noted that the sons of Moses and their descendants were placed in this lower rank, and exclud... [ Continue Reading ]
21._And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes _We have already spoken of the washing, for since it was required of all private individuals, much less would it be allowable for the Levites to handle the sacred things, unless they were first purified. But what follows as to their pr... [ Continue Reading ]
22._And after that went the Levites in to do their service _In these words Moses signifies that, in the type, nothing was omitted relative to the ancient priesthood which pertains to the legitimate service of God, the main point in which is obedience, and thence the purity which flows from it. The L... [ Continue Reading ]
24._This is it, that belongeth to the Levites. _The age is here prescribed when the Levites should begin and end the execution of their office. God commands them to commence in their 25th year and grants them their dismissal in their 50th; and for both these provisions there is very good reason. For... [ Continue Reading ]