Commentary on Numbers, Book · Chapter 1
A COMMENTARY UPON THE Fourth Book of MOSES, CALLED NUMBERS.
BY The Right Reverend Father in GOD, SYMON Lord Biſhop of ELY.
LONDON: Printed for Ri. Chiſwell at the Roſe and Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard. MDCXCIX.
A COMMENTARY UPON NUMBERS.
A COMMENTARY UPON THE Fourth Book of MOSES, CALLED NUMBERS.
CHAP. I.
Chapter I THIS Book is called by the Name of NƲMBERS in our Language; becauſe it begins with an Account of the Numbering of the People in the beginning of the ſecond Year after they came out of Egypt: though it contain a great many things beſides that; particularly, another Numbering of them (Chapter XXVI.) towards the concluſion of their Travels in the Wilderneſs. For this Book comprehends an Hiſtory of about thirty eight Years; though the moſt of the things related in it fell out in the firſt, and in the laſt of theſe Years: and it doth not appear when thoſe things were done, which we read of about the middle of the Book, from the XVth to the XXth Chapter.
Verſe 1 Verſe 1. And the LORD ſpake unto Moſes.] Who undertook nothing without order from God.
In the Wilderneſs of Sinai.] Where they had continued near a full Year, (as appears by comparing XIX Exod. 1. with this place) and ſhortly after this removed from it, X. 11.
In the Tabernacle of the Congregation.] From whence the LORD delivered thoſe Laws which we read in the foregoing Book, (See on I Lev. 1.) and now ſeems to have admitted him into the Tabernacle; whereas before he only ſpake to him out of it.
On the first day of the ſecond Month, in the ſecond year after they were come out of the Land of Egypt.] All that is related in the foregoing Book, ſeems to have paſſed in the firſt Month of the ſecond Year after their coming out of Egypt. In the beginning of which the Tabernacle was ſet up, XL Exod. 2, 17. and in the middle of it the Paſſover was kept, as appears by this Book, IX. 1, 2, &c.
Verſe 2 Ver. 2. Take ye the ſum.] There had been a Muſter, as we may call it, of the People, before the Tabernacle was erected, XXX Exod. 12. and conſequently ſome Months before this: for it was in order to a Contribution, which every one was to make towards that holy work, XXXVIII Exod. 26. Whereas this was for the better diſpoſing of their Camps about the Tabernacle now that it was ſet up: and for their more regular march when they removed from Mount Sinai; which they were to do ſhortly.
Of all the Congregation of the Children of Iſrael.] Who alone were numbred; all except the Levites: but none of the mixt Multitude, that came with them out of Egypt, XII Exod. 38.
After their Families.] It appears by VII Joſhua 16, 17, &c. that the ſeveral Tribes of Iſrael were divided into Families; and thoſe Families into Houſholds; and thoſe Houſholds had every one of them an Head or Chief; who is called the Father of it. There were LXX. of theſe Families in all: but ſome Tribes had more, others fewer; according to the number of Souls (as they are called) that is, Perſons who were in each when they went down into Egypt, XLVI Gen. 27.
By the Houſe of their Fathers.] Every Family, as I ſaid, being diſtributed into Houſes, (which we now call Families) theſe Houſes were denominated from their Chief, whom they called their Father: For no Houſes were denominated from the Mother, as the Jews ſay.
With the number of their Names.] The Names of every Perſon in the ſeveral Houſes, were ſet down and regiſtred; that they might be the better known.
Every Male by their pole.] But no Women; for the reaſon which follows.
Ver. 3. From twenty years old and upward.] Which Verſe 3 was ever after this, the Age when Men were thought fit for War.
All that are able to go forth to war in Iſrael.] One would think by this, they were not to number very aged and decrepit People: becauſe they were no more able to go to war, than Women and Children, and thoſe under twenty years old. And if we may believe Joſephus (L. II. Antiq. cap. 9.) after fifty Years old, Men were not bound to pay the half Shekel which was due in ſuch Muſters: and therefore we may reaſonably think were excuſed from going to war; unleſs they had a mind themſelves.
Thou and Aaron.] Who had the higheſt Authority in the Nation.
Shall number them by their Armies.] This ſeems to import, that in taking the account of them, they diſtributed them into certain Troops or Companies; out of which were formed Regiments (as we now ſpeak) and greater regular Bodies, which compoſed ſeveral Armies: We do not read this was required in the former numbering, (XXX Exod.) that being for another end, as I now obſerved; not for their more orderly march, in their remove from Mount Sinai. And here I cannot but take notice what a vaſt difference there was between this method, and that rude way which Cecrops the firſt King of Attica after the Ogygian Flood (which hapned about the time of Moſes) took to know the number of his People: which the Greek Writers ſay, was by requiring every one of them to bring a Stone, foreign, and throw it down before them; which he counting, found them Twenty thouſand. So the Scholiaſt upon Pindar. Od. IX. and others in Meurſius de Regibus Athenienſ. L. I. cap. 7.
Verſe 4 Ver. 4. And there ſhall be with you a Man of every Tribe.] Whom they were to take for their Aſſiſtants.
Every one Head of the Houſe of his Fathers.] The LXX. and the Vulgar underſtand this to ſignifie the principal Perſons in each Tribe; who were beſt acquainted with every Family and Houſhold in that Tribe. And ſo it is expounded v. 6. And many think theſe were the Firſt-born in their Tribe. But there is this Objection againſt it, That Nahſhan, who is named for the Tribe of Judah, v. 7. was not deſcended from the Firſt-born of that Tribe. For Pharez was not Judah's eldeſt Son; Selah being before him: who had Children, as we find XXVI of this Book, v. 20. Beſides, when the Princes of the Tribes rre reckoned again (XXXIV of this Book) in the laſt Year of their abode in the Wilderneſs; none of them are derived from theſe Men here mentioned, but from others. And therefore theſe were the moſt eminent Men in the ſeveral Tribes, upon a different account; either for Wiſdom, or Valour, or ſome other excellent quality.
Ver. 5. And theſe are the Names of the Men that ſhall Verſe 5 ſtand.] Be Aſſiſtants.
With you.] i. e. With Moſes and Aaron.
Of the Tribe of Reuben, Elizur the Son of Shedeur.] There is little to be obſerved concerning theſe Tribes, but that they are here placed, not in the order of their Birth; but of their Mothers who bare them. Firſt, the Children of Leah: who are all reckoned in the ſame order, wherein they were born of her, ver. 6, 7, 8, 9. Then the Children of Rachel, v. 10, 11. And after them the Children of the two Hand-maids, in the four following Verſes. Where, v. 12. Dan is ſet firſt; he being the Firſt-born of Bilhah; whom Rachel gave Jacob for his Wife, XXX Gen. 5. But then, the next that follow are not reckoned according to the order of their Birth: for Naphtali who was born next, is placed the laſt; and the youngeſt Son of Zilpah placed before the eldeſt. For which we cannot now diſcern the reaſon; though it is likely it was upon the account of ſome Pre-eminence or other which they had gained; as Ephraim the youngeſt Son of Joſeph is mentioned before Manaſſeh the eldeſt, (v. 10.) becauſe Jacob had given him the precedence, when he bleſſed them before his Death, XLVIII. 19.
Verſe 6 Ver. 6. Of Simeon, Shelumiel the Son of Zuriſhaddai.] There is leſs to be obſerved concerning the Names of theſe great Men of each Tribe; for whatſoever the import of them may be in the Hebrew Language, (which Chytraeus and others have endeavoured to make out) it ſignifies nothing to us: Only moſt of them ſhow how much God was in the Thoughts of thoſe, who impoſed theſe Names on their Children: for Elizur ſignifies my God the Rock; and Shelumiel is as much, as God my Peace, or God my Rewarder: and Zuriſhaddai, my Rock Omnipotent, or All-ſufficient, &c.
Verſe 14 Ver. 14. The Son of Deuel.] So he is called alſo VII. 42. and yet in the ſecond Chapter, v. 14. he is called the Son of Reuel. For theſe two Letters, Daleth and Reſch, are very often changed, the one for the other: As Ripath, X Gen. 3. is called Dipath, 1 Chron. I. 6. As on the other hand Dodanim, X Gen. 4. is called Rodanim, 1 Chron. I. 7. And it is to no purpoſe to heap up more Examples there are of this.
Verſe 16 Ver. 16. Theſe were the renowned of the Congregation. The Hebrew word Keruim ſignifies properly Men called or named; that is, who had the Honour to be named by God to this Employment: which made them more noble than they were before. But, without this reſpect to their Nomination by God, this word ſignifies in general famous Men, as we tranſlate it, XVI. 2. XXVI. 9. or renowned, XXIII Ezek. 23. accordingly the vulgar tranſlates it, moſt noble.
Princes of the Tribes of their Fathers.] As appears more plainly from the noble Offerings, which each of them made, for the Dedication of the Altar, Chap. VII.
Heads of thouſands in Iſrael.] Men not only of great Authority; ſuch as Jethro adviſed Moſes to take to his Aid in governing the People, XVIII Exod. 21. but the higheſt of that Rank; being chief Commanders over all the Thouſands, that were in their ſeveral Tribes; under whom no doubt were many inferiour Officers of great account. For ſo all People have found it neceſſary, to ſubmit themſelves to the Government of ſome Supreme Power; with ſeveral ſubordinate Rulers under it. In which Iſrael excelled all other Nations, being under the Government of God himſelf; who appointed Moſes immediately under him, with ſeveral others, as we here find, to aſſiſt him. For it is truly obſerved by Xenophon, that foreign: Nothing is either ſo profitable for Men, or ſo becoming, as good Order: And on the contrary, nothing ſo miſchievous, or unſeemly, as Confuſion. Now Order is nothing elſe, but the apt Diſpoſition of every thing, in its proper place; for certain Ends and Uſes. Accordingly among Men, nothing is more neceſſary, than that every one ſhould know and keep his place, in that Degree and Rank that belongs to him: As was here ordered by God for the Preſervation and good Government of his People.
Ver. 17. And Moſes and Aaron took theſe Men.] To Verſe 17 be their Aſſociates in the numbering of the People.
Which are expreſſed by their Names.] Whom God himſelf marked out by name, to be joined with them. For as People cannot be preſerved without Order; ſo that cannot be preſerved without Rulers and Governors: and they will ſignifie nothing if their Authority be not reverenced; and nothing can gain them ſuch Reverence, as a particular Deſignation by God to their Office.
Verſe 18 Ver. 18. And they aſſembled all the Congregation together on the firſt Day of the ſecond Month.] They immediately executed their Commiſſion, on the ſame day they received it, (v. 1.) ſummoning all the People to appear before them.
And they declared their Pedigrees.] The People inſtantly obeyed; and every one ſhowed from whom he was deſcended; or it may refer to Moſes and Aaron, and the reſt who ſet down every Man's Original, in the publick Tables.
After their Families, by the houſe of their Fathers, &c.] Firſt they ſhowed of what Family they were; and then of what Houſe in that Family; and then the Name of every Perſon in that Houſe was given in. See v. 2. Such a kind of Diſtinction Cecrops made in Attica, when he numbered the People; whom he divided into four Tribes, (which in the days of Alcmaeon their laſt King, were increaſed into ten;) every one of which had ſeveral People in it, which were like the Families in Iſrael: there being no leſs than ten or eleven People in that Tribe which was called after his own Name, foreign. See Meurſius, L. I. de Reg. Athen. cap. 7. & Lib. II. cap. X. And every one knows how Rome at the firſt had three Tribes inſtituted by Romulus, which were divided into ten Courts, (if I may ſo call them) and thoſe into certain Families: which in after-times were increaſed into Five and thirty Tribes; according to the Regions of the City.
Ver. 19. As the LORD commanded Moſes, ſo he Verſe 19 numbered them.] With the aſſiſtance of the forenamed Perſons.
In the Wilderneſs of Sinai.] Before they removed from Sinai: which being upon the Twentieth Day of this Month, (X. 11.) they finiſhed this Work in ſo many Days, or leſs.
Ver. 20. And the Children of Reuben, Iſraels eldest Verſe 20 Son, by their Generations, &c.] The word Generations ſeems to be larger than Families; as that is than Houſes: comprehending every Family in that Tribe; as Families comprehend every Houſhold; and Houſhold comprehends every Perſon therein. So the meaning is, all that were deſcended from Reuben, according to their ſeveral Families; and Houſes in thoſe Families; and Perſons in thoſe Houſes.
Ver. 21. Thoſe that were numbred of them, &c. were Verſe 21 forty and ſix thouſand, and five hundred.] Some have obſerved that this Tribe was one of thoſe who had the ſmalleſt number of Men in it: in which they think was fulfilled the Prophecy of Jacob, who foretold that Reuben ſhould not excel, XLIX Gen. 4. But I do not look upon this as ſolid; for there were ſeveral Tribes, who all this time had fewer Perſons in it than this. Particularly the Children of Joſeph, (whom Jacob compared to a fruitful Bough, XLIX Gen. 22.) were very much fewer. See below v. 33, 35. Gad alſo, Benjamin, and Aſher, were fewer in number than Reuben: who, in this regard, excelled Five Tribes.
Ver. 23. Of the Tribe of Simeon were fifty and nine thouſand, and three hundred.] He had ſix Children when they went down into Egypt; and Reuben but Verſe 23 four: which is a plain reaſon of the greater increaſe of this Tribe than the former.
Verſe 24 Ver. 24. Of the Children of Gad, &c.] It is probable that this Tribe is therefore mentioned next, though deſcended from an Hand-maid, becauſe they were to encamp and march together with Simeon under the Standard of Reuben: as is ordered in the next Chapter, v. 14.
Verſe 25 Ver. 25. Of the Tribe of Gad were forty and five thouſand, ſix hundred and fifty.] He had more Sons than Simeon, (XLVI Gen. 10, 16.) when they came out of Egypt: and yet fewer deſcended from him, by many Thouſands, than there did from Simeon: of which the Reaſon doth not appear.
Verſe 27 Ver. 27. Of the Tribe of Judah were threeſcore and fourteen thouſand, and ſix hundred.] It may be juſtly thought, that Jacob's Prophecy concerning the power and ſtrength of this Tribe, (XLIX Gen. 8, &c.) began already to be fulfilled: they being far more numerous than any other.
Verſe 28 Ver. 28. Of the Tribe of Iſſachar, &c.] There is a plain account why this Tribe and Zebulun are mentioned next to Judah; becauſe they two marched under his Standard, II. 4, 5, 7. It may be obſerved alſo, that theſe two Tribes were more numerous, than many other; who had more Children when they came out of Egypt.
Verſe 32 Ver. 32. Of the Children of Ephraim.] He had the preheminence given him to Manaſſeh long ago, (XLVIII Gen. 19.) and therefore is here placed before him.
Ver. 33. Of the Tribe of Ephraim were forty thouſand and five hundred.] Though they were hitherto but few in compariſon with ſome other Tribes; yet in this the Prophecy of Jacob was fulfilled, (XLVIII Verſe 33 Gen. 19, 20.) that they were more fruitful than Manaſſeh: there being above Eight thouſand Perſons more in this Tribe, than in the other, v. 35.
Ver. 35. Of Manaſſeh were thirty and two thouſand Verſe 35 and two hundred.] This was now the ſmalleſt Tribe; but before they got to Canaan, they grew very numerous; being increaſed above Twenty thouſand, XXVI. 34.
Ver. 37. Of the Tribe of Benjamin were thirty five Verſe 37 thouſand and four hundred.] Though Benjamin had more Children than any of the reſt of his Brethren, when they went down into Egypt, (XLVI Gen. 21. where it appears he had ten Sons) yet his Tribe had the feweſt Men in it of all other, except Manaſſeh.
Ver. 39. Of Dan were threeſcore and two thouſand Verſe 39 and ſeven hundred.] On the contrary Dan, who had but one Son, when they went down into Egypt, (XLVI Gen. 23.) grew to a greater Number than any other Tribe, except Judah. So variouſly did the Divine Providence work, in fulfilling the Promiſe to Abraham, of multiplying his Seed.
Ver. 41. Of Aſher were forty and one thouſand and Verſe 41 five hundred. The growth of this Tribe was not proportionable to that of ſome other, conſidering how many Children Aſher had, at their going down into Egypt. But they increaſed near Twelve thouſand more, before they got out of the Wilderneſs, XXVI. 47.
Ver. 43. Of Naphtali were fifty and three thouſand and four hundred.] The great increaſe of this Tribe is alledged by Bochartus, to juſtifie his Interpretation Verſe 43 of XLIX Gen. 21. by altering the punctation of the words. But I have there obſerved, that Five other Tribes were more numerous than Naphtali, when this account was taken of them.
Verſe 44 Ver. 44. Theſe are thoſe that were numbred.] This is the account that was taken of the Number of Men in each Tribe.
Which Moſes and Aaron numbred, and the Princes of Iſrael being twelve Men.] V. 3, 4, &c.
Each one was for the Houſe of his Fathers.] Who could the better judge to what Tribe every one belonged.
Verſe 45, 46. Ver. 45, 46. So were all thoſe that were numbred, &c. Six hundred thouſand and three thouſand and five hundred and fifty.] By which it appears there was not one Man dead ſince their laſt Numeration, (Seven Months ago) when they were taxed for the Tabernacle. For they were at that time, juſt ſo many as are here mentioned, XXXVIII Exod. 26. As for Nadab and Abihu, they were of the Tribe of Levi; who are not here reckon'd: and the Man that was ſtoned for Blaſphemy, (XXIV Lev.) was not of Iſrael, by the ſide of his Father.
Verſe 47 Ver. 47. But the Levites, after the Tribe of their Fathers, were not numbred among them.] There was no account taken of them among the other Tribes: as it is likely they were not comprehended in the former Number, XXXVIII Exod. 26. being the Perſons who took the account, v. 21. and had before this conſecrated themſelves to the LORD, XXXII. 29.
After the Tribe of their Fathers.] Is an Hebraiſm, for the Fathers of their Tribe: Expreſſing in ſhort, what is at large ſaid of all the reſt, by their Generations, after their Families, by the Houſe of their Fathers, v. 20, 22, 24, &c.
Ver. 48. For the LORD had ſpoken unto Moſes, Verſe 48 ſaying.] He had received an Order from God, when he commanded him to number the People, not to number them. Which he ſets down, that it might not be thought he favoured them, becauſe he was of their Tribe; and therefore exempted them from the Wars, unto which all others were engaged.
Ver. 49. Only thou ſhalt not number the Tribe of Levi, Verſe 49 &c.] Becauſe they were intended for another Service; and therefore were to be numbred by themſelves. There were as ſtout and valiant Men in this Tribe as any other, (which appeared ſufficiently when God's Honour was to be vindicated, XXXII Exod.) but God did not deſign them for the Wars of Canaan; they having imployment enough in carrying, and guarding the Tabernacle.
And from this Example, the Heathen learnt to exempt all thoſe who miniſtred to their Gods, from all other Services; particularly from the War. Strabo notes (Lib. IX. Geograph.) this Cuſtom to have been as old as Homer's time. For in all his Catalogue there is no mention of any Ship that went againſt Troy from Alalcomenon; becauſe that City was Sacred to Minerva: who is thence called by Homer foreign. The ſame is obſerved by Caeſar (Lib. VI.) of the ancient Druids, that they were freed from the Wars; and from Tribute alſo. Which Priviledge St. Baſil challenges as belonging to the Clergy, foreign, according to the ancient Law, Epist. CCLXIX. and S. Greg. Nazianzen doth the ſame in many places: particularly by his Letter to Julianus, Epiſt. CLXVI.
Verſe 50 Ver. 50. But thou ſhalt appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle.] This was their work to attend continually upon the Houſe of God.
Of Teſtimony.] So it is called, becauſe the Ark of the Teſtimony was there: for which it was principally made. See XXXVIII Exod. 21. and what I have noted upon XXV Exod. 16. XL. 3.
And over all the Veſſels thereof, and over all things that belong unto it.] Not to uſe them in any Sacred Miniſtry, (which belonged to the Prieſts alone) but to carry them, when they were to be removed; and to keep them in Safety at all times. See VIII. ult. Where it is expreſly ſaid, they ſhall do no Service there.
They ſhall bear the Tabernacle, and all the Veſſels therefore.] As is particularly directed in the fourth Chapter.
And they ſhall miniſter unto it.] Which Miniſtry is at large deſcribed in the third Chapter.
And ſhall encamp round about the Tabernacle.] As a Guard unto it: They being like to the Legions about the Palace of a great King, to ſecure and defend it from Violence or Rudeneſs. Which was the reaſon that they did not march under any of the Standards of the other Tribes: becauſe they were to make a Camp by themſelves; the order of which is directed in the ſame third Chapter. And for the ſame reaſon they were not to go to the Wars; becauſe their Camp was to attend upon the Tabernacle, the Houſe of God.
Ver. 51. And when the Tabernacle ſetteth forward, the Levites ſhall take it down; and when it is to be pitched, the Levites ſhall ſet it up.] When the Iſraelites removed to a new ſtation, the Tabernacle was Verſe 51 taken in pieces, that it might be the more eaſily carried from place to place. In which the Levites were to be employed; and likewiſe in putting it together again, when it was to be ſet up, where they reſted in their Journeys: as is more fully ordered in the fourth Chapter. Where the manner of taking it down, and ſetting it up again is directed; and every ones Office about it, whether Prieſts (for they had ſome hand in it) or Levites, exactly appointed.
And the Stranger.] Who is not of this Tribe; though an Iſraelite.
That comes nigh.] To perform any of the forenamed Offices.
Shall be put to death.] As a preſumptuous Perſon, in medling with that which doth not belong unto him. The Author of Schebet Jehudah extends this to all Strangers, who worſhipped ſtrange Gods: and ſaith there was a Golden Sword hung up in the Gate of the Temple, with this Inſcription, The Stranger that cometh nigh, ſhall be put to death.
Ver. 52. And the Children of Iſrael.] The reſt of the Verſe 52 Tribes before-mentioned.
Shall pitch their Tents every Man by his own Camp, &c.] In the order preſcribed, in the next Chapter.
Ver. 53. But the Levites ſhall pitch round about the Verſe 53 Tabernacle of Teſtimony.] As is directed Chap. III. where they are ordered to make a Camp nearer the Tabernacle; within the other Camp of the Iſraelites.
That there be no Wrath upon the Congregation of the Children of Iſrael.] To prevent the other Camp of the Iſraelites, from coming too nigh the Tabernacle; whereby they might have incurred God's Diſpleaſure.
And the Levites ſhall keep the Charge of the Tabernacle of Teſtimony.] That is, therefore they were to be a conſtant guard about it; that no Man might approach nearer than God allowed; and ſo bring heavy Puniſhments upon himſelf, and upon the Congregation.
Verſe 54 Ver. 54. And the Children of Iſrael did according to all that the LORD commanded Moſes, ſo did they.] Conſented to all that is here required, and did accordingly.