_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 ]