A Help for the Understanding of the Holy Scriptures, Numbers · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
Verſ. 2. WHen thou lighteſt the lamps, the ſeven lamps ſhall give light over against the candleſtick.]
Hitherto I conceive the prieſts had onelyonly entred upon their ſervice on the altar of burnt-offerings; now the dedication of the altar being finiſhed, and Moſes being now to ent…r the prieſts into the ſervice of the Sanctuary, the Lord doth again give direction about the lamps, When thou lightest the lamps, the ſeven lamps ſhall give light over againſt the candlestick. In the originall it is, over againſt the face of the candleſtick; the common expoſition of this is, that the ſeven lamps ſhould give light round about whereever the candleſtick was to be ſeen. But this cannot be the meaning: for here is ſome particular direction given for ordering the lamps; now however they were ordered or lighted, they would have given light round about. The meaning of theſe words I thus conceive: That place is ſaid to be over againſt the candleſtick, where the candleſtick ſtood in full view: Now it was not to be ſeen on the Southſide (for on that ſide cloſe to the walls or boards of the Sanctuary it was placed, Exod. 26. 35. And thou ſhalt ſet the table without the vail, and the candleſtick over against the table on the ſide of the tabernacle toward the South: and thou ſhalt put the table on the Northſide: nor did it ſtand full in the eye either Eaſtward or Weſtward (for ſo the ſeven lamps ſtood all in a row one behind another) but to one that ſtood on the Northſide the ſeven lamps were in full view; that way therefore Aaron was to light the lamps, that is, he was to place the looſe bowls on the top of the branches, wherein the lamps were, in ſuch manner that the wick or flame of the lamp might iſſue out on the Northſide, toward that ſide of the tabernacle which was over againſt the face of the candleſtick, and that, no doubt, becauſe the table of ſhew-bread ſtood on that ſide.
Verſ. 6. Take the Levites from among the children of Iſrael, and cleanſe them.]
The prieſts being fully entred upon their ſervice, now the Levites are conſecrated to their imployments as aſsiſtants to them: but leſt they ſhould think themſelves equally admitted to the work of the prieſthood, they are neither conſecrated at the ſame time with the prieſts, nor with the ſame ceremonies.
Verſ. 7. Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them ſhave all their fleſh, &c.]
This water of purifying, wherewith the Levites were now to be ſprinkled at their conſecration, was doubtleſſe that made with the aſhes of a red heifer: and therefore it is evident, that directions for ma…ing this water were given before this time, though they are not ſet down by Moſes till … 19. chapter of this book. As for the ſhaving of their fleſh, that was done to the end they might be the more perfectly cleanſed from all pollution whatſoever: and both the one and the other ſignified the exact purity and holineſſe that God requires in thoſe that are imployed in the ſacred miniſtery.
Verſ. 8. And another young bullock ſhalt thou take for a ſinne-offering.]
This ſecond bullock, the ſecond here named, was firſt offered, verſ. 12. And no bullock was offered for ſinne, ſave for the ſinne of the high prieſt or of the congregation, Lev. 4. yet the Levites now taken for all the firſt-born of Iſrael offered ſuch a ſinne-offering as the whole congregation ſhould.
Verſ. 10. And the children of Iſrael ſhall put their hand upon the Levites.]
That is, ſome of the chief (as the firſt-born) in ſtead of the re…, by this ſigne transferring the charge and ſervice of the Church from themſelves …on them, whom they did now freely offer to the Lord to be wholly ſet apar… for that ſervice.
Verſ. 12. And thou ſhalt offer the one for a ſinne-offering, and the other for a burnt-offering, &c.]
That is, thou ſhalt cauſe them to be offered, to wit, by Aaron and his ſonnes. See alſo the notes upon the ſacrifices that were offered at the conſecrating of the prieſts, Exod. 29. 10, &c.
Verſ. 15. And after that the Levites ſhall go in, &c.]
That is, into the court of the prieſts, for within the tabernacle it ſelf the Levites might not enter, nor was there any ſervice there for them to do.
Verſ. 19. And to make an atonement for the children of Iſrael, &c.]
The Levites are ſaid …here to make an atonement for the children of Iſrael, not becauſe they offered ſacrifices for the people (for that the prieſts onelyonly did) but either becauſe they were ſubſervient to the prieſts when they were offering thoſe ſacrifices, whereby atonement was made for the ſinnes of the people; or elſe becauſe by their other ſervice in the tent, which for or in ſtead of the people they performed according to the will of God, he was pleaſed with the p…ople, and ſent no plague upon them, as otherwiſe there would have been, if they themſelves had intermeddled with thoſe holy ſervices.
Verſ. 24. From twenty five years old and upwards, &c.]
See the notes on Numb. 4. 3.
Verſ. 25. From the age of fifty years they ſhall ceaſe waiting, &c.]
That is, in the hard labours of bearing the Sanctuary. See again Numb. 4. 3.