Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 4 · Chapter 4

Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs · Biblical commentary 4 · Chapter 4

p. 19CHAP. IV.

1. The age and time of the Levites service. 4. The cariage of the Kohathites, when the Priests have taken downe the Tabernacle. 16. The charge of Eleazar. 17. The office of the Priests. 21. The cariage of the Gershonites. 29. The cariage of the Merarites. 34. The number of the Kohathites that served. 38. of the Gershonites, 42. and of the Merarites.

ANd Iehovah spake unto Moses, and 12unto Aaron, saying; Take the summe of the sons of Kohath, from among the sons of Levi, according to their families, according to the house of their fathers. From 3thirty yeeres old, and upward, even untill fifty yeeres old, every one that entreth into the armie, to doe the worke in the tent of the congregation. This shall be the service of 4the sonnes of Kohath, in the tent of the congregation, the holinesse of holinesses. And 5Aaron shall come and his sonnes, when the campe setteth forward; and they shall take downe the Veile of the covering, and cover with it the Arke of the Testimonie. And 6they shal put thereon a covering of Tachash skin, and shall spreade a cloth wholly of blew, above; and shall put in the barres thereof. And upon the Table of Shew-bread 7they shall spreade a cloth of blew, and put thereon the dishes, and the cups, and the bowles, and the covers to cover withall; and the continuall bread shall be thereon. And 8they shall spreade upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover it with a covering of Tachash skin, and shall put in the barres thereof. And they shall take a cloth of blew, and cover 9the Candlesticke of the light, and the lamps thereof, and the tongs thereof, and the snuffe-dishes thereof, and all the oile vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it.

And they shall put it, and all the vessels 10thereof, within a covering of Tachash skin, and shall put it upon a staffe. And upon the 11Altar of gold they shall spreade a cloth of blew, and cover it with a covering of Tachash skin, and shall put in the barres thereof. And they shall take all the instruments 12of ministerie, wherewith they minister in the Sanctuarie, and put them in a cloth of blew, and cover them with a covering of Tachash …, and shall put them on a staffe. And 13they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spreade upon it a cloth of purple. And 14they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it; the fire-pans, the flesh-hookes, and the shovels, and the basons; all the vessels of the Altar: and they shall spreade upon it a covering of Tachash skin, and put in the barres of it. And 15Aaron and his sonnes shall make an end of covering the Sanctuarie, and all the vessels of the Sanctuarie, when the campe is to set forward; and after that, the sonnes of Kohath shall come to beare it; and they shall not touch the holinesse, lest they die: these things shall be the burden of the sonnes of Kohath, in the Tent of the congregation. And 16to the oversight of Eleazar the sonne of Aaron the Priest (pertaineth) the oile of the Light, and the incense of sweet spices, and the continuall meat-offering, and the anointing oile; the oversight of all the Tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the Sanctuarie, and in the vessels thereof.

And Iehovah spake unto Moses and unto 1718Aaron, saying; Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites. But this doe unto them, that 19they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the holinesse of holinesses: Aaron and his sonnes shall goe in, and appoint them every man unto his service, and to his burden. But they shall not goe in to see 20when the Sanctuarie is covered, lest they die.

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And Iehovah spake unto Moses, saying; 2122Take the summe of the sonnes of Gershon, of them also; according to the house of their fathers, according to their families. From 23thirty yeeres old, and upward, unto fifty yeeres old, shalt thou muster them, every one that entereth to warre the warfare, to serve the service, in the Tent of the congregation. This shall be the service of the families 24of the Gershonites, to serve, and for the burden. And they shall beare the curtaines 25of the Tabernacle, and the Tent of the congregation, the covering thereof, and the covering of Tachash skin, that is upon it above, and the hanging veile for the doore of the Tent of the congregation. And the 26tapestry hangings of the Court, and the hanging veile for the doore of the gate of the Court, which is by the Tabernacle, and by the Altar, round about; and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them; and they shall p. 20serve. At the mouth of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sonnes of the 27Gershonites, in all their butden, and in all their service; and yee shall appoint unto them in charge all their burden. This is the service 28of the families of the sonnes of the Gershonites, in the Tent of the congregation; and their charge shall be under Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

The sonnes of Merari, according to their 29families, according to the house of their fathers, shalt thou muster them. From thirtie 30yeeres old and upward, even unto fifty yeeres old, shalt thou muster them, every one that entreth into the armie, to serve the service of the Tent of the congregation. And this shall be the charge of their burden, 31according to all their service in the Tent of the congregation: the boords of the Tabernacle, and the barres thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof. And the 32pillars of the Court round about, and their sockets, and their pinnes, and their coards, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by names shall ye reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden. This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service in the 33Tent of the congregation under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. And 34Moses and Aaron, and the Princes of the congregation, mustered the sonnes of the Kohathites, according to their families, and according to the house of their fathers. From thirtie yeeres old and upward, even unto 35fifty yeeres old, every one that entred into the Armie, for the service, in the Tent of the Congregation. And those that were mustered of them, according to their families, 36were two thousand, seven hundred, and fifty. These were they that were mustered of the families of the Kohathites, every one that 37served in the Tent of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did muster according to the mouth of Iehovah by the hand of Moses. And those that were mustered of the sonnes of Gershon, according to their 38families, and according to the house of their fathers. Form thirtie yeeres old and upward, even unto fifty yeeres old, every one 39that entred into the armie, for the service in the Tent of the congregation. Even 40those that were mustered of them, according to their families, according to the house of their fathers, were two thousand and six hundred and thirtie. These were they that were 41mustered of the families of the sonnes of Gershon: every one that served in the Tent of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron did muster, according to the mouth of Iehovah.

And those that were mustered of the families of the sonnes of Merari, according to their 42families, according to the house of their fathers. From thirtie yeeres old and upward, 43even unto fifty yeeres old, every one that entred into the armie for the service in the Tent of the congregation. Even those 44that were mustered of them, according to their families, were three thousand, and two hundred. These were they that were mustered 45of the families of the sonnes of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron mustered, according to the mouth of Iehovah, by the hand of Moses. All those that were mustered, whom Moses 46and Aaron, and the Princes of Israel mustered, of the Levites, according to their families, and according to the house of their fathers. From thirtie yeeres old and upward, 47even unto fifty yeeres old, every one that entred to serve the service of service, and the service of burden, in the Tent of the congregation. Even those that were mustered 48of them, were eight thousand, and five hundred, and eightie. According to the 49mouth of Iehovah mustered he them by the hand of Moses, every man according to his service, and according to his burden: and they were mustered of him, as Iehovah commanded Moses.

Annotations.

TAke the summe] Hebr. To take (of which 2phrase see the notes on Exod. 13. 3.) the head, and that in number, is the summe, as the Greeke translateth it: and the Chaldee saith, the Count (or reckoning) of the sonnes of Kohath; whose families are here first reckoned, because they were to carry the holiest things. Of Kohaths preheminence, see the notes on Num. 3. 28. Of him Chazkuni here observeth, Though Gershon was the first-borne, yet Kohath is first reckoned, because …ee carried the Arke. house] in Greeke houses: so after sundry times in this chapter.

Vers. 3. thirtie yeeres old] Hebr. a sonne of 3thirtie yeeres, of which phrase see the notes on Gen. 5. 32. Here the beginning of their service is at thirtie yeeres of age; in Num. 8. 24. it is said to be at five and twentie yeeres; (according to which, the Greeke here, and in vers. 23. 30. translateth it five and twentie:) and in Davids … began at twentie, 1 Chron. 23. 24. and so in Ezeki… p. 21dayes, 2 Chron. 31. 17. and after in Ezraes … the Levites were appointed from twentie years old and upward, Ezra. 3. 8. The places in Moses may thus be accorded, that here he speaketh of catring upon their full ministration, which being laborious, to cary the Sanctuary, &c. required full strength of body, and discretion of minde, and began therefore at 30. But in Num. 8. 24. he appointeth 25. for the beginning of their learning to doe the workes. So Maimony saith; A son of L…mmeth not into the Court unto his service, untill they have first learned him five yeeres; as it is said (in Num. 8. 24.) FROM FIVE AND TWENTIE YEERES OLD; and another scripture saith, (in Num. 4. 3.) FROM THIRTIE YEERES OLD; loe five are for him to learne. And he entreth not upon his service, till he be growne great, and be a man; as it is said (in Num. 4. 49.) EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS SERVICE: Misn. tom. 3. treat. of the instruments of the Sanct. c. 3. s. 7. Chazkuni (on Num. 8.) reconcileth it thus; at 25. yeeres old, they entred all of them to doe the lighter workes, as to watch that no stranger came into the Sanctuarie, &c. and at 30. yeeres of age, they were in their strength, and did beare the Sanctu…ie, &c. Now this age of 30. yeeres for the numbring of the Levites, continued also in Davids time, 1 Chron. 23. 3. But then the Levites were no more to cary the Tabernacle nor any vessels of it, vers. 26. so by the last words of David, the Levites were numbred from twentie yeeres old and about, vers. 27. which David did by direction from the Lord, 1 Chron. 28. 13. 19. that beginning to learne sooner, they might be the fitter at thirtie, to serve the Lord and his people. And it is probable that the multitude of people, and so of sacrifices increasing, the Levites if they had not ministred till 30. yeeres old, would not have sufficed for the service of the Temple; therefore God then by David altered the time of their entrance. This age of 30. yeeres, was by Gods providence in Ioseph, when he began to governe Egypt, Gen. 41. 4… ▪ in David, when he began to reigne, 2 Sam. 5. 4. Iohn the Baptist (a Levite) began also his ministerie at that age; and Christ (fulfilling all figures) at the same age began the preaching of the Gospel, Luke. 1. 35, 36. and 3. 2. 3. 23, &c. It … them also, that the ministers of the Lord should be no Novices (or young schollers,) as …. 6. untill 50. yeeres old] Hebr. and … sonne of 50. …eenes, at what time naturall … usually beginneth to decay; therefore God would hauehave them then leave off the harder …; but still they ministred with their brethren in the Tabernacle, to keepe the charge, &c. …. 8. 26. into the armie…] or, to the man… is further explained in vers. 23. to warre …are, which the Greecke translateth, to … …upon the Apostle calleth the worke of the …ry, to warre a good warfare, 1 Tim. 1. …8. and …tioneth the weapons of their warfare, 2 Cor. 10. 4. and calleth Timothee a good souldier of Iesus Christ, 2 Tim. 2. 3, 4. because by the sword of the spirit, and other weapons of right cousnesse, they were to cast downe imaginations, and lusts that war in mens members, Eph. 6. 17. 2 Cor. 6. 7. and 10. 5. Iam. 4. 1. Compare Exod. 38. 8. to doe the worke] in Greeke, all the workes; in Chaldee, to serve the service: this explaineth the former warfare, to bee holy and spirituall. So the Bishops office is called a good worke, 1 Tim. 3. 1. for it is to labour in the word and doctrine, 1 Tim. 5. 17.

Vers. 4. the holinesse… of holinesses.] that is, the 4most holy things; as the Arke, Table, Candlesticke, Altar, &c. which the Kohathites were to beare, vers. 5. 7. 9. 11. 15. These are generally named the Sanctuarie, Num. 10. 21. and 3. 28.

Vers. 5. setteth forward] or, removeth, journieth 5from Mount Sinai towards Canaan; and this was when the cloud was taken up from off the Tabernacle, by the Lord, Num. 10. 11, 12. the veile of the covering] called in Greeke, the shadowing veile; by the Apostle, the second veile, Heb. 9. 3. which was made of blew, purple, scarlet, and fine linnen, with Cherubims, and was hanged betweene the holy place and the most holy, Exod. 26. 31. 33. This veile figured the flesh of Christ, Heb. 10. 20. as the Arke principally signified Christ also, & Gods presence with his church in him. See the notes on Exod. 25. 10. 17. the Testimonie] the Tables of Gods law, which were in the Arke, as in the heart (or bowels) of Christ, Exo. 25. 16. Psal. 40. 8. This Arke of the testimonie was covered with the veile, whiles the Tabernacle did stand, Exod. 40. 3. and now when the Tabernacle is to be taken down and removed, the Arke is covered with the same veile.

Vers. 6. shall put] Hebr. shall giuegive; in Greeke, put over, to wit, over the Arke and veile. Tachash skin] in Greeke, hyacinth (or blew colour) skin: see Exod. 25. 5. This was to cover it from all injury of weather, as raine or the like; even as the whole Tabernacle, when it stood, was covered with such, Exod. 26. 14. …ai. 4. 5, 6. It was also to signifie the hiding of these mysteries, for a time: see after on vers. 13. …a cloth wholly of blew] these were those clothes or garments of ministerie mentioned in Exod. 31. 10. above] upmost: and herein the Arke had the preeminence of glory above all the other holy, things; for their upmost coverings were of skin; but the Arke had above the skinne a cloth of blew, or skie colour, for the honour of Christ whom it figured. the barres thereof] made to beare the Arke with them, Exod. 25. 14, 15. see the annotations there.

Vers. 7. of Shew-bread] Hebr. table of faces, 7or of presence: meaning of the bread of Presence (or Shew-bread) as the Chaldee here explaineth it, and Moses elsewhere expresseth. They were twelve cakes, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, or whole church: see the annotations on Exod. 25. 30. and Lev. 24. 5. of blew] the Greeke …ere translateth it purple. to cover withall] Heb… of covering or of powring out: of these, seo the notes on Exod. 25. 29. continuall bread] or, bread of continuance; so called because it was alwaies upon the table; and when the old was taken off, new was set on, every sabbath, p. 22as is noted on Levit. 24. 8.

Vers. 8. sccarlet] OnelyOnly the Arke (representing 8Christ,) and the Table with Shew bread (representing the church) had three coverings; all the other holy things, had but two. And none was covered with scarlet, but this Table onelyonly.

Vers. 9. of the light] in Greeke, inlightning (or 9shining) candlesticke: see the notes on Exod. 35. 14. This was a figure of Gods Law, Psal. 119. 105. Prov. 6. 23. 2 Pet. 1. 19.

Vers. 10. upon a staffe] or, upon a leaver, or barre; such as things are removed and caried with 10betweene two, or moe, Num. 13. 23. The Greeke translateth it, upon barres; so in vers. 12. Chazkuni noteth here, that it is said, upon a staffe, and not under a staffe, lest that which was caried should bee dragged on the ground.

Vers. 11. Altar of Gold] the Incense altar, 11which stood within the holy place: a figure of Christs mediation for his church, and of their presenting their prayers unto God by him. See the notes on Exod. 30. 1,—6.

Vers. 12. instruments] or vessels of ministerie; 12Censers, cups, &c. or such as are mentioned in 2 King. 25. 14, 15. Sanctuarie] Hebr. sanctitie; in Greeke, the holies. a staffe] in Greeke, barres, as vers. 10.

Vers. 13. the ashes from the altar] This the Greeke translateth, They shall put a covering upon 13the altar. The Altar of brasse, which stood in the courtyard, is heremeant. of purple] OnelyOnly the brazen altar wa… covered with purple; as the Table onelyonly with scarlet, vers. 8. and these two colours are sometime used one for another; as, They put on him a scarlet robe, Mat. 27. 28. for which in Ioh. 19. 2. is written, they put on him a purple robe: so in Mark. 15. 17. they clothed him with purple: all these colours signified the heavenly dignity of these holy things, by the blood of Christ. And although the Altar of brasse stood in the open court, where all might see it, yet when they removed, it also was covered as the other holy things.

Vers. 14. Vessels] or instruments, as vers. 12. 14fire-pans] of these and the rest, see the notes on Exod. 27. 3. At the end of this verse the Greeke version mentioneth the Laver, Exod. 30. 18. (which in Moses is here altogether omitted) thus; And they shall take a purple cloth, and cover the Laver and the base (or foot) thereof, and shall put them into a covering of …y…ointh skin; and shall put (them) upon barres. It seemeth to be not without mystery, that Moses mentioning fire-pans, flesh-hookes, and other lesse things, should quite omit the Laver, which usually is reckoned among the holy things of the Sanctuarie, Exod. …5. 16. and 38. 8. and 39. 39. and 40. 30. And as in Melchisedeks history in Gen. 14. he omitted his parentage, kindred, birth and death; from which silence in the holy story, the Apostle reasoneth as if he had beene without parents or kindred, beginning of dayes, or end of life, Heb. 7. So here (if it may be lawfull to conjecture the like) the Laver is left uncovered, and alwaies open to the eyes of the people, that it might be a lively representation of Gods grace in Christ, continuing and opened as an ever-springing fountaine: that by the washing of the new birth, by repentance and faith in the bloud of Christ, we may in all our travels, at all times, cleanse our hands and feet, (our workes and wayes,) as the sacrificers did from the Laver, Exod. 30, 19, 20. That albeit the face of the church is sometime hid, (as the Tabernacle wrapped up,) and the Light of the Word shineth not, nor publike worship performed: yet alwaies Gods elect, having faith in him, may wash and purge themselves in Christ his bloud, unto forgivenesse of sinnes, sanctification of the spirit, and saluation.

Vers. 15. the sanctuary] Hebr. Sanctity, or 15Holinesse, that is, as the Greeke explaineth it, Holy things: see Num. 3. 28. This covering of the Sanctuary, besides that it was for the honour and defence thereof, had also a further mystery. For as Moses put a veile upon his face, Exod. 34. 33. that the sonnes of Israel could not stedfastly looke to the end of that which is abolished, 2 Cor. 3. 1…. so the Tabernacle (which our fathers caried with Iesus into the possession of the Gentiles, Act. 7. 45.) was solden up, and veiles and coverings were cast upon the holy things, that the Israelites could not behold the end of those types, whose end and accomplishment we now clearely see by the Gospell, by the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began: but is now made manifest, and by the scriptures of the Prophets, according to the commandement of the everlasting God, made knowne to all rations, for the obedience of faith, Rom. 16. 25, 26. Therefore we have Gods Throne and true …abernacle set forth without veiles or covers, Rev. 4. 2, &c. The Temple of God is opened in heaven, and there is seene in his Temple, the Arke of the Testamentall covenant, Revel. 11. 19. not touch the holinesse] that is, the holy things, as the Greeke translateth. This restraint, was like that concerning mount Sinai, which by reason of Gods presence thereon, might not be touched, upon paine of death, Exod. 19. 12. Heb. 12. 18. left they dye] Hebr. and dye: which the Chaldee expoundeth, and not dye: the Greeke, that they dye not: the word not before used, being here againe to be understood, as it is in Iob 30. 20. 25. and 31. 20. Psal. 9. 19. Prov. 30. 3. Deut. 7. 26. and often otherwhere. The Scripture it selfe sheweth this want, and supplieth it; as in 2 Chron. 9. 20. … were of silver, it was accounted of: that is, it was not accounted of; as is expressed in 1 King. 10. 21. This judgement here threatned, was executed upon Uzzah a Levite, who putting his hand to the Arke of God, was therefore smitten of God, and died, 1 Chron. 13. 10. shall be the burden] that is, as the Greeke translateth, they s… …eare these things, to wit, on their owne shoulders, and not by wagons, or any other meanes, Num. 7. 9. Therefore it was a fault in Davids dayes, that the Arke was caried upon a cart, 1 Chron. 13 7. for they fought not the Lord, after the due order, 1 Chron. 15. 12, 13.

Vers. 16. to the oversight] the Bishops office, o… p. 23… the Greeke translateth, Bishop Eleazar; the Chaldee, that which shall be committed to the charge (… custodie) of Eleazar. oyle of the Light] that is, of (or for) the golden candlestick. These foure particulars, the Hebrewes say, Eleazar was to cary himselfe: for Chazkuni (on this place) writeth; The oyle of the Light, and the oyle of Anointing, the … his right hand, and the other in his left. And the Incense in his bosome; and the Meat-offring on his shoulder. R. Elias, in Reshith chocmah, treat of …, ch. 16. noteth the like from the Ierusalemy Thalmud, adding withall, Behold, according to his high place was his humility, to honour the Lord, to beare all this burden at one time. the Sanctuary] Hebr. the sanctity: Greeke, the Holy. Eleazar had besides the charge of the oyle, incense, &c. the care of all the sanctuarie also, and of the burdens of the Ko…ites, Num. 3. 32. vessels] or instruments; in Greeke, the workes thereof. In this office, Bishop Eleazar was a figure of Christ (the Bishop of our soules, 1 Pet. 2. 25.) unto whom it pertaineth to give grace (the oyle of the Spirit) for understanding of the Scriptures, Luk. 4. 18. and 24. 45. Ioh. 1. 16. To put odours of sweet incense unto the praiers of all Saints, by his mediation, Revel. 8. 3. 1. Tim. 2. 5. To present his Church as a pure Meat-offring and sacrifice unto his Father, Ephe. 5. 26, 27. 1. Cor. 5. 7. To give the anointing oile of the holy Ghost for our sanctification, and rejoycing of our hearts, Ioh. 7. 39. 1 Ioh. 2. 27. To oversee all Churches and Ministers, and all actions in Churches, where he is present, and walketh among them till the worlds end, Mat. 28. 20. Rev. 1. 13. and 2. 1. 2. &c.

Vers, 18. Cut ye not off] or, Cause not to cut off; 18in Greeke, destroy not, that is, Cause not, or occasion not by your default, them to be cut off, whiles you not looking to your charge, they haply transgresse, and so I destroy them, as I did Nadab and Abihu, Lev. 10. the families] understand, any of the families: the Greeke translateth, Destroy not of the tribe, the family of Kaath.

Vers. 19. live and not die] of this phrase, see 19Deut. 33. 6. Thargum Ionathan expounds it, live in the life of the righteous, and not die with flaming fire: having reference to Levit. 10. 2. of holinesses] that is, the most holy things, in Greek, the holies of holies. every man] Hebr. man man, to his service, that is, each one to his severall worke, that so disorder and confusion might be avoided, & none might intrude into anothers worke. The Hebrew … say, The Levites are to be warned that they … one anothers work; as that the Singer helpe not to … Porters worke, or the Porter the Singers; as it is written, EVERY MAN UNTO HIS SERVICE, AND TO HIS BVRDEN. The Levites that doe the Priests service, or a L… that employeth himselfe in that worke which is not his owne worke, are in danger of death by the … of God, Num. 4. 19. Maimony in Misn. treat. of the Instruments of the Sanct. ch. 3. sect. 10. 11.

Vers. 20. to see] so in Exod. 19. 21. the people were charged not to breake through unto the LORD to see: and because the men of Bethshemesh looked into the Arke of the Lord, he smote of the people fiftie thousand and seventy men, 1 Sam. 6. 19. This restraint taught them what discord there is betweene God and sinfull men, and how great need wee have of a Mediatour. And as the Priests themselves might not alwaies enter into the most holy place, Lev. 16. 2. whereby the holy Ghost this signified, that the way into the holy of holies was not yet made manifest, while as the first Tabernacle was yet standing, Hebr. 9. 8. so in that the Levites bare things which they might not touch nor see, it signified a concealing in part of the mysterie of the Gospell, which in other ages was not made knowne unto the sonnes of men, as it was afterward revealed unto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit, Ephes. 3. 5. the mysterie which was hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his Saints, Coloss. 1. 26. is covered] Hebr. is swallowed up; which word is often used for destroying and abolishing, Iob 2. 3. Num. 16. 30. 32. Esai. 9. 16. and 3. 12. applied here to the hiding and covering of the holy things, which was done suddenly, and is by the Chaldee interpreted, when they cover the vessels of the Sanctuarie. It sig…ified the abolishing that after should be of this worldly sanctuary, and shadowes therein, by Christ, Heb. 9. 1.—11. whose death was a destroying of the true Tabernacle and Temple, Ioh. 2. 19. 21. The Apostle also treating of the death of the Saints, useth this similitude; If our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hand, eternall in the heavens. For wee that are in this Tabernacle doe groane, being burdened, not for that wee would be unclothed, but clothed upon; that the mortall thing might bee swallowed up of life, &c. 2 Cor. 5. 1. 4. So Peter calleth his death, the putting off of his Tabernacle, 2 Pet. 1. 14. And this similitude is very fit: for as here in Moses Tabernacle, the most holy things were first covered and taken away; so the soule and powers thereof are first withdrawne from the bodie by death. Then, as the curtaines and coverings were taken off, and folded up; so the flesh and skin of our bodies are pulled off, and eaten with wormes. And as the boards of the Tabernacle were lastly disioyned and pulled asunder; so shall our bones & sinewes. Compare the description of mans making in Iob 10. 8—12. & of his dissolution, Eccles. 12. And as the Tabernacle dissolved, was afterward set vp againe, Num. 10. 21. so shal our bodies at the day of resurrection, 1 Cor. 15. lest they die] Hebr. and die: in Chaldee, and not die; as before in vers. 15.

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Here beginneth the 35 section of the Law: see Gen. 6. 9.

Vers. 22. Take] Hebr. to take: see vers. 2. 22of them also] in Greeke, these also. Though the Kaathites (of the second brother) were first numbred, because they were to cary the holy things on their shoulders; yet God would not have the other families neglected, or to administer confusedly, but counted & appointed also to their charges: wherin his providence shineth no lesse than before

p. 24Vers. 23. towarre the warfare] which the Greeke 23explaineth, to minister: see the notes on vers. 3. to serve the service] in Greeke, to doe the workes: this is an explanation of the former warfare.

Vers. 24. the service] in Greeke, the ministerie. 24and for the burden] in Greeke, to serve and so boare. By the service. understand their ministerie in the Tabernacle when it stood, wherein they assisted the Priests; as also the taking downe and setting up of it, Num. 10. 21. and by the burden, their carying of the Sanctuary, when it removed.

Vers. 27. At the mouth] or, according to the 27mouth; in Chaldee, At the word. So after in vers. 37. and 41. and 45. and 49. in all their burden] in Greeke, according to all their ministrations, and according to all their works. yee shall appoint] in Greeke, thou shalt appoint (or number) them. in charge] or, in custodie; in Greeke, by names, as in vers. 32. all their burden] in Greeke, all their workes.

Vers. 28. their charge] or, their custodie, their 28observation. under the hand, or, in the hand, that is, under the government and direction of Ithamar: so in vers. 33. The Priests being the chiefe in the Sanctuarie, and figures of Christ, were to appoint and oversee all the workes of the inferiour ministers; and so Christ and his Apostles did unto the ministers of the christian Churches, Mat. 28. 20. 1 Cor. 12. 4, 5, 6. Tit. 1. 5. &c. 1. Tim. 1. 3. and 3. 1.—15.

Vers. 30. thirty yeeres] in Greeke, twenty five 30yeeres: the reason of this difference is noted on ver. 3. So after, in v. 35. into the armie] or, warfare; that is, service in the Tabernacle; as the Greeke translateth it, to minister: see vers. 3.

Vers. 31. the charge] or, custodie; in Greeke, observations. 31the sockets] which were an hundred, made of an hundred talents of silver, Exod. 38. 27. of the boards, & bars, see Exod. 26. 18.—27. By reason of the weight of these things, the Merarites had foure wagons allowed them, for the cariage, Num. 7. 8.

Vers. 32. their sockets] which were of brasse, 32Exod. 27. 10—17. by names] in Chaldee, by their names: the Greeke said the like of the Gershonites charge, in vers. 27. Whereas the sockets, pillars, pinnes, cords, and other instruments were many, and seemed of lesse importance than the other holy things within the Sanctuary; the Lord appointeth to have them delivered by names, lest any should be neglected, or left, or to seeke when the Tabernacle should be set vp againe. Signifying hereby the care that he hath of his Church, and of every member, even the least; and so of all his ordinances. Thus the good Shepheard is said to call his owne sheepe by name, Ioh. 10. 3. And David gave unto Solomon, both the pattern of all things to be made in the Temple, and gave gold and silver by weight, for every table, candlestick, lampe, flesh-hook, bowle, cup, bason, &c. 1 Chron. 28. 11.—17.

Vers. 35. into the armie] or, to the warfare; in 35Greeke, to minister: see vers. 3. So after, in vers. 39. and 43.

Vers. 36. two thousand, seven hundred, and fifty] 36there were of the Kohathites in all, eight thousand and six hundred, Num. 3. 28. of which, not a third part were able men for the Lords service, as here wee see.

Vers. 40. two thousand and six hundred and thirtie] 40In all there were seven thousand and five hundred Gershonites, Numb. 3. 22. of which, little more than the third part were fit to serve in the Tabernacle.

Vers. 44. three thousand and two hundred] So 44of six thousand and two hundred Merarites (Num. 3. 34) there were moe than halfe fit to serve the Lord in his Sanctuary. The numbers of them all, and of such as were able to serve the Lord, and contrary, may be viewed thus;

The wisdome and providence of God appeareth in these numbers. The Kohathites, that were most in the whose summe, are fewest for the service of God: the Merarites, that were fewest in number, yeeld most for his service. And whereas the greatest burden was for the Merarires, as the boards of the Sanctuary, overlaid with gold, the pillars, the sockets, some of silver, and some of brasse; lest they should murmur at their charge, God furnisheth them with moe able men than any of the other families, besides wagons given to ease them. And whereas commonly in families, the yonger and the aged sort are many moe than men of middle years; it is here otherwise, that the greater halfe of the Merarites are strong men, betweene thirty and fifty yeares of age. By this diversitie of number among the Levites families, God sheweth his wisdome in fitting men for the worke wherto he hath appointed them, whether it requireth multitude, or gifts: for, To one is given by the Spirit, the word of wisdome; to another the word of knowledge, by the same Spirit; to another, faith, by the same Spirit; to another, the gifts of healing, by the same Spirit, &c. dividing to every man severally as he will. 1 Cor. 12. 8.—12. David being employed in warres, had many valiant Worthies, and strong men for that purpose, rehearsed in 1. Chron. 11. & 12. ch. So had Iudah, and the other tribes, as wee see in Num. 2. Moses was furnished with wisdome and knowledge, but wanted speech and utterance; therefore Aaron was given to bee his mouth and spokes-man, Act. 7. 22. Exod. 4. 10. 14. 16. ye… Moses by his writings, speaketh now eloquently in all Churches, and shall doe to the worlds end, when Aaron is silent. The like was in Paul, whose weaknesse in speech was his reproach among the p. 25false Apostles, 2 Cor. 10. 10. and 11. 6. though he …lled in knowledge and other graces, the fruits …eof the world still reapeth from his Epistles.

Vers. 47. that entred] to wit, into the warfare, 47or …, as vers. 3. the service of service] the …ke of ministery, assisting the Priests, when the Tabernacle stood; and taking it downe, and setting it vp: the Greeke translateth it, the worke of workes. the service of burden] the worke of bearing the Tabernacle, when it was removed: in Greeke, the workes that were to be borne.

Vers. 48. eight thousand and 500. and 80.] Behold 48the small number of such as warred the spirituall warfare of God in his Sanctuary, that of the whole tribe of Levi, there were but 8580. fit men: when the tribe of Iudah afforded 74. thousand and 600. for the outward warfare, in the host of Israel, Num. 1. 27.

Vers. 49. the month] in Chaldee, the word; in Greeke, the voice. mustered he] or, he numbred: 49meaning Moses and the Princes, as vers. 34. spoken of as of one man.