Commentary on Numbers, Book · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
Chapter IV Ver. 1. AND the LORD ſpake unto Moſes, and Verſe 1 unto Aaron, ſaying.] They being both of them concerned to ſee this carefully executed, he ſpeaks to both: and they took others to their Aſſiſtance, v. 34, 46.
Ver. 2. Take the ſum of the Sons of Kohath, &c.] Verſe 2 They are firſt mentioned, being employed in the moſt honourable Work; as I obſerved before, III. 31.
Ver. 3. From thirty years old and upward.] In this Verſe 3 Work, to which they are appointed, they were not employed till they came to Thirty years of Age: But they were admitted to attend at the Tabernacle, and do other Service, at the Age of Five and twenty; as we read VIII. 25. Which place the Jews (in the Gemara Babylonica upon the Title Cholin) reconcile with this, after this manner. They were admitted to learn their Duty at Five and twenty, and to miniſter at Thirty. And ſo Aben Ezra upon VIII Numb. They were probationers, and might do ſome ſervice at Five and twenty years old, but not do all. For they might wait upon the Tabernacle; but not bear the Ark. And that's the exact truth, they were admitted to miniſter to the Prieſts at Five and twenty: but were not put upon this laborious work here mentioned, till they had ſufficient ſtrength for it; which was at Thirty years of Age; when they were able to carry Burdens: for by that word their work is deſcribed, v. 15, 19, 24, 31, 47. For though ſome things, which they were charged withal, might be put into Waggons: yet the Ark, and the moſt holy Things, were to be carried upon their Shoulders, though they march'd never ſo far, v. 15. and VII. 9. When the Ark indeed was ſettled in the Temple, which was a fixed place, and therefore was no longer to be carried up and down, then (as D. Kimchi obſerves upon 1 Chron. XXIII.) King David appointed them to enter upon their Office, at Twenty years old: there being alſo other great Work to be performed in his time; for which they were fit at that Age. And ſo it continued even after their return from the Captivity of Babylon, III Ezra 8. See Selden. de Succeſſ. in Pontificat. L. II. cap. 4. and Lightfoot in his Temple Service, Chap. VI. Sect. 1.
Even until fifty years old.] Beyond which Age they were not bound to do any Service: but only to miniſter with their Brethren at the Tabernacle, VIII. 25, 26.
All that enter into the Host. Or, into the Warfare.] For their watching continually, as a Guard, about the Tabernacle, (III. 7, &c.) made them a ſort of Militia: who were encamped, as appears by the foregoing Chapter, about the Tabernacle, for its Security. Beſides which, there was other Work, which might make their Service as laborious, as a Soldier's Life is; and give it the name of entring into the Host: which manner of ſpeaking St. Paul uſes unto Timothy, I. 1, 18. where he exhorts him to war a good warfare.
To do the work of the Tabernacle of the Congregation.] They did not perform any Work in it, but about it, (ſuch as here follows) unleſs we underſtand by the Tabernacle, the outward Court: into which they went to miniſter unto the Prieſts.
Ver. 4. This ſhall be the Service of the Sons of Kohath, Verſe 4 in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, about the most holy things.] The next Verſes explain what this Service was. Or if the word about (in the latter end of the Verſe) were quite left out, the ſence would be more clear. This ſhall be the Service of the Sons of Kohath, &c. the moſt holy Things: that is, the Ark, as Aben Ezra expounds it. And his Interpretation may be juſtified from v. 19, and 20. in the latter of which it is called the holy, and in the former the holy of holies, as it is here in the Hebrew. For it was the moſt holy of all other holy things in the Tabernacle; and gave the Name to the place where it ſtood, of holy of holies, or the most holy place. And this made the Service of the Kohathites the moſt honourable of all other: and is the reaſon they are mentioned firſt.
Ver. 5. When the Camp ſetteth forward.] Which it Verſe 5 did not do, till the Cloud was taken up, and removed from off the Tabernacle, XL Exod. 36, 37. X Numb. 11.
Aaron ſhall come, and his Sons.] While the Cloud reſted upon the Tabernacle, and the Glory of the LORD filled the Houſe, none but Aaron might come into the moſt Holy Place, where the Ark was; and that but on one day in the year; and then, after he had filled it with Incenſe, which made a Cloud before the Mercy Seat, (which was the Covering of the Ark) over which the SCHECHINAH was, But that being removed in the Cloud, when it was taken up from the Tabernacle; not only Aaron, but his Sons alſo might come into the moſt Holy Place, without any Irreverence; that which made it ſo holy (viz. the Glory of the LORD) being gone out of it, for the preſent; ſo that there was no danger in approaching to the Ark, where it was wont to reſt.
And they ſhall take down the covering Vail.] Whereby the Holy Place was parted from the moſt Holy: which is always meant by the word Parocheth (as I ſhowed upon Exod. XXVI. 31.) which is here uſed. And though the word Maſach be added to it, which conſtantly ſignifies the outward Vail at the entrance of the Sanctuary; yet it is plain that the inward Vail, which was at the entrance of the moſt Holy Place, is here intended: for the other was committed to the care of the Gerſhonites, v. 25.
And cover the Ark of the Teſtimony with it.] By this it is evident they went into the Holy Place, unto the very Ark: over which they threw this Covering.
Verſe 6 Ver. 6. And ſhall put thereon the covering of Badgers Skins.] Not any of thoſe wherewith the Tabernacle was covered, (XXVI Exod. 14.) but a Covering made on purpoſe for this uſe: to defend the Ark from the injury of the Weather, when they carried it on their ſhoulders.
And ſhall ſpread over it a Cloath wholly of blue.] Or, of perfect blue. This was the third Covering of the Ark: which till it was laid upon it, the Levites might not approach it. And ſince the Tabernacle was the Image of Things in the Heavens, (as not only the Apoſtle but the Jews themſelves ſay) the Ark in particular being a Figure of the Celeſtial Throne of God; it is not an unreaſonable Conceit of R. Bechai, that this blue coloured Cloth was ſpread over it, as an Emblem of the Skies, which are ſpread like a Curtain between us and the Majeſty on High.
And ſhall put in the Staves thereof.] It is not ſaid they ſhall put them in the Rings: for they were never to be taken out of them, XXV Exod. 15. Nor do the Hebrew words ſignifie that they ſhould put them in: but it ſhould be tranſlated, put the Staves thereof; that is, upon their ſhoulders. So Aben Ezra interprets it: which ſeems to me the moſt ſimple Expoſition: Or, fit and diſpoſe them, under the Covering, that they might be laid on their ſhoulders. Or, order them ſo in the Rings, (which is Chaskun's Explication) that they might fall into the two Notches; which were in the Staves, to keep the Ark from ſliding up and down.
Ver. 7. And upon the Table of Shewbread, they ſhall Verſe 7 ſpread a Cloth of blue.] It is not ſaid, wholly of blue, as it is of the former: which ſhows it was of ſomething a different colour.
And put thereon the diſhes.] Upon which the Bread was ſet.
And the ſpoons and bowls, &c.] See XXV Exod. 29.
And the continual bread.] i. e. The Bread which ſtood continually in the Preſence of God.
Shall be thereon.] Even when the Table was carried from place to place. Which ſhows that they provided this Bread, (according to the order XXV Exod. 30.) all the time they were in the Wilderneſs. And it was not hard to procure ſo much Corn from their Neighbours bordering upon the Wilderneſs, as would be ſufficient for this purpoſe; and for others, which I ſhall note in their proper places: particularly from the Land of Midian, where Moſes his Father in Law lived; which was not far from Sinai, (as appears from III Exod. 1.) where they were at preſent.
Ver. 8. And they ſhall ſpread upon them a Cloth of Scarlet, and cover the ſame with a covering of Badgers skins.] Theſe had a triple covering, as well as the Verſe 8 Ark: being holy Things, and having a holy Thing, (that is, the Bread of the Preſence, as it is called in the Hebrew, becauſe it ſtood before God continually) in the Diſhes upon the Table.
And ſhall put in the ſtaves thereof.] That it might be ready to be carried, XXV Exod. 27, 28.
Verſe 9 Ver. 9. And they ſhall take a Cloth of blue.] Like that which covered the Table, v. 7.
And cover the Candleſtick of the Light.] See XXV Exod. 31. and XXXVII. 17, &c.
And his Lamps, and his Tongs, &c.] XXV Exod. 37, 38. XXXVII. 23.
And all the Oyl Veſſels thereof.] For God commanded them to bring pure Oyl to feed the Lamps continually, (XXVII Exod. 20.) which was put, no doubt, in Veſſels to preſerve it for daily uſe.
With which they minister unto you.] With which Oyl they keep the Lamps continually burning.
Verſe 10 Ver. 10. And they ſhall put it, and all the Veſſels thereof within a covering of Badgers skins.] There were but two Coverings for the Candleſtick and its Veſſels; it being of leſſer value than the Table of Shewbread, and what belonged to it.
And ſhall put it upon a bar.] Rather upon a bier: for the word we here tranſlate bar, is different from that uſed before, v. 6, 8. which we tranſlate ſtaves: and ſignifies any Inſtrument, whereby things are removed from one place to another. We tranſlate it indeed a Staff, XIII. 23. whereon two of them that went to ſpy out the Land, carried the Cluſter of Grapes they had cut down. Which was laid, no doubt, upon ſomething that was broad; as this Bar was whereon they carried the Candleſtick. Which had no Rings belonging to it, and therefore, I take it, was carried upon ſome thing reſembling a Bier, on which Corps are carried to their Grave in this Country. See v. 12. and ſo the LXX. foreign.
Ver. 11. And upon the golden Altar.] So called, Verſe 11 becauſe it was overlaid with pure Gold, XXX Exod. 3.
They ſhall ſpread a Cloth of blue, &c.] As they did upon the Candleſtick, v. 9.
And ſhall put to the Staves thereof.] Into the Rings; which were made on purpoſe, that it might be carried upon the Staves, XXX Exod. 4, 5.
Ver. 12. And they ſhall take all the Inſtruments of Verſe 12 the Miniſtry, wherewith they miniſter in the Sanctuary.] I do not ſee what can be meant by theſe, but the holy Garments which Aaron and his Sons put on in the time of their Miniſtration. For all other Things have been already mentioned; and theſe are called the Clothes of Service, XXXI Exod. 10. where they are immediately mentioned after all the fore-named Furniture of the Tabernacle.
And ſhall put them in a Cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of Badgers skins.] As they did the Candleſtick, and the Altar of Incenſe, v. 9, 11.
And put them on a bar.] By this it appears, that the Hebrew word Mot, which we tranſlate a Bar, ſignifies a broad Inſtrument for Carriage; ſuch as I have deſcribed, v. 10.
Ver. 13. And they ſhall take away the Aſhes from the Verſe 13 Altar.] Of Burnt-offering: which was often cleanſed from its Aſhes, (VI Lev. 10, 11.) but then eſpecially when it was to be removed. What they did with the Fire, which was always to burn upon it, (VI Lev. 12, 13.) is not here related: but we may ſuppoſe that it was carried upon the Grate, which had Rings on purpoſe, that it might be carried ſeparate from the Altar. See XXVII Exod. 4.
And ſpread a purple Cloth thereon.] As being an holy thing; though not of ſuch Sanctity as thoſe before-named.
Verſe 14 Ver. 14. And they ſhall put upon it all the Veſſels thereof, &c.] That they might be carried with it.
The Cenſers, the Fleſh-hooks, and the Shovels and the Baſons.] Here the Cenſers are put firſt, which are mentioned laſt, in XXVII Exod. 3. where this word is tranſlated, Fire-pans. Others underſtand by it, Tongs.
All the Veſſels of the Altar.] Immediately after theſe words, we find there follows, in two places, the Laver and his foot, XXXV Exod. 16. XXXIX. 39. Where in the very ſame verſe, the Laver is mentioned with the Altar and its Veſſels: and immediately follows them, in two other, XXXVIII Exod. 7, 8. XL. 30. The reaſon why it is not mentioned here, is perhaps, becauſe he names only thoſe things upon which the Sons of Aaron were to put a Covering; and this, it is likely, was carried without one.
And put to the ſtaves of it.] XXVII Exod. 6, 7. XXXVIII. 6, 7.
Verſe 15 Ver. 15. And when Aaron and his Sons have made an end of covering the Sanctuary and all the Veſſels, &c.] This work was to be performed by them alone; and the Levites were not to meddle with any of theſe things, till they had done.
After that the Sons of Kohath ſhall come to bear it.] For all the fore-mentioned things, belonging to the Sanctuary, were to be carried by them; even the Ark it ſelf: Which they carried ſo, that all the People might ſee it went along with them. For the Rings being faſtned to the bottom of the Ark, (ſee XXV Exod. 12.) when the Staves were on their Shoulders, it appeared on high: To repreſent, ſaith R. Bechai, him that is moſt highly exalted over all. The Prieſts indeed might carry the Ark, being more than Levites (XXXI Deut. 9.) and accordingly we find, that upon extraordinary Occaſions they did; as when they went over Jordan, III Joſh. 14. and when Jericho was beſieged, VI. 6. Some think alſo, when David, as he fled from Abſalom, ſent the Ark back, 2 Sam. XV. 29. But it appears from ver. 24. that there is no certainty of that; eſpecially ſince, when he brought it from the Houſe of Obed-Edom, he not only employed the Levites in it, but declared none elſe ought to bear it, 1 Chron. XV. 2, 15, 27. He bid the Prieſts indeed, as well as the Levites, ſanctifie themſelves for this Work: For ye (ſaith he to the Prieſts, v. 12.) are the chief of the Fathers of the Levites: but they ſeem to have been preſent, only to ſee the Levites perform their Charge; and to accompany the Ark, as David himſelf did.
But they ſhall not touch any holy thing, leſt they die.] Some imagine they were not to touch theſe things, till they were covered by the Prieſts: But it is more likely that even then they were not to touch them, but only the Staves, or the Bar, wherein they were carried. Eſpecially the Ark, which is here principally meant by the holy thing, (the word any not being in the Hebrew) whoſe Staves only they touched, and lifted it up by putting them upon their Shoulders.
Theſe things are the burden of the Sons of Kohath, in the Tabernacle of the Congregation.] When it was removed; for at other times, they had nothing to do with theſe things: Which are here called their Burden, as verſe 4. they are called their Service; to ſhow the nature of their Service, which required the Strength of grown Men, v. 3.
Verſe 16 Ver. 16. And to the Office of Eleazar the Son of Aaron the Prieſt, pertaineth the Oyl for the Light, &c.] It is commonly thought that he is required to carry this, and the other things that follow in this Verſe, himſelf: But if all things be conſidered, it will appear more reaſonable to think, that he who was the Chief of all the Chiefs over the Levites, III. 32. is peculiarly required to ſee the Kohathites did their Duty. For though they had a Chief over them, whoſe work it was to inſpect them, III. 30. yet God thought good to appoint Eleazar, to ſuperviſe both him, and all under him, in theſe weighty Concerns. And ſo the Words may be interpreted out of the Hebrew.
The over-ſight of Eleazar the Son of Aaron the Prieſt, ſhall be the Oyl, &c. the over-ſight of all the Tabernacle, and of all that is therein, &c.] And there is the greater reaſon thus to underſtand it, becauſe the Oyl-Veſſels are before committed to the Kohathites, v. 9. and conſequently the Oyl it ſelf; which could not be carried, but in the Veſſels.
The ſweet Incenſe.] Mentioned XXX Exod. 34.
And the daily Meat-offering. See XXIX Exod. 40, 41.
And the anointing Oyl.] XXX Exod. 23, &c. Theſe were not named before: but it is here laid upon Eleazar, to ſee that they were as carefully carried by the Kohathites, as any other things belonging to the Sanctuary.
Ver. 17. And the LORD ſpake unto Moſes, and Verſe 17 unto Aaron, ſaying.] The things before-mentioned, eſpecially the Ark, were ſo ſacred, that he repeats the Admonition he had given, about the danger of Irreverence to it: Which he here repreſents in a frightful manner.
Ver. 18. Cut ye not off.] Do not by your Negligence Verſe 18 occaſion the Deſtruction of a great many Perſons.
The Tribe of the Family of the Kohathites, from among the Levites.] A conſiderable part of the Tribe of Levi, viz. the Family of the Kohathites; who were near a third part of it.
Ver. 19. But do thus for them, that they may live and Verſe 19 not die.] Proceed in this manner, to prevent ſo great a Miſchief, as their Deſtruction.
When they approach unto the moſt holy things.] Come to take up the Ark: Which is meant by the Holy of Holies. See v. 4.
Aaron and his Sons ſhall go in.] And cover the Ark, and the reſt of the things within the Sanctuary; as is before-directed.
And appoint them every one to his Service, and to his Burden.] And then allot to every one his ſhare in this work: That is, to carry ſuch particular things, as they think moſt proper for them.
Ver. 20. But they ſhall not go in to ſee.] They might Verſe 20 go into the moſt Holy place, when not only the Glory of the LORD was removed; but the Ark and Mercy-Seat upon its Removal, were covered by the Prieſts, (for then the Place where they lay covered, was no longer holy) but they might not come in to ſee the Prieſts cover them; which was to be done before they approached.
When the holy things are covered.] In the Hebrew it is in the ſingular Number, when the holy, or holy thing is covered; i. e. the Ark: as the Jews generally underſtand it. And that with great reaſon, as any one may be ſatisfied who will take the pains to compare the 1 Kings VIII. 8. with 2 Chron. V. 9. Where that which in the former place is called the Holy, in the latter is called the Ark.
Leſt they die.] They might not, under pain of Death, either ſee it when it was covered, or touch it afterward, v. 15. but only carry it, in the manner there deſcribed.
Verſe 21 Ver. 21. And the LORD ſpake unto Moſes, ſaying.] He was principally concerned in this, but Aaron was alſo joined with him, to ſee the Execution of what is here required, v. 1.19, 34.
Verſe 22 Ver. 22. Take alſo the Sum of the Sons of Gerſhon, &c.] The eldeſt Son of Levi, III. 17. who though they were employed in lower Services; were to account it an Honour to ſerve about the Tabernacle.
Verſe 23 Ver. 23. All that enter in to perform the Service.] I do not underſtand why this ſhould not be tranſlated as v. 2. into the Hoſt. For it is the very ſame Phraſe in the Hebrew, both here and there; only here more emphatical by doubling the word for Hoſt: And therefore may very properly be tranſlated in this place, that enter in to war the Warfare. For the Service of the Gerſhonites was more burthenſome than the former; though they were fewer in number, ver. 36, 40.
Ver. 24. This is the Service of the Families of the Gerſhonites.] Verſe 24 Which were only two, III 18. 21.
To ſerve, and for Burdens.] To ſerve, when the Tabernacle reſted; and to carry Burdens, when it removed. See v. 47.
Ver. 25. And they ſhall bear the Curtains of the Tabernacle.] Verſe 25 The ten fine Curtains, which were the inward Hangings of the Tabernacle, XXVI Exod. 1, 2, &c. Which, I ſuppoſe, were taken down as well as carried by the Gerſhonites: becauſe nothing is ſaid here of Aaron, or his Sons being employed, to make them ready for carriage.
And the Tabernacle of the Congregation, his Covering.] Not the Boards of the Tabernacle, which were the Charge of the Children of Merari, (v. 31.) but the eleven Curtains of Goats-hair, which covered the Boards, XXVI Exod. 7, 8, &c.
And the Covering of Badgers Skins, which is upon it.] The outward Covering of all, which was of Rams Skins dyed Red, and Badgers Skins, (as we tranſlate it) XXVI Exod. 14.
And the Hanging for the Door of the Tabernacle.] Which is deſcribed, in the Concluſion of the ſame Chapter, XXVI Exod. 36.
Ver. 26. And the Hangings for the Court.] XXVII Exod. 9, &c.
And the Hanging for the Gate of the Door of the Court. See XXVII Exod. 16.
Which is by the Tabernacle, and the Altar round about.] The Senſe would have been more plain, if the Particle al, which we tranſlate by, had been tranſlated upon, or over; for the Court encompaſſed both the Tabernacle, and the Altar, XL Exod. 6, 7, 8.
And their Cords.] Which were employed in faſtning theſe Hangings.
And all the Inſtruments for their ſervice.] The brazen Pins, I ſuppoſe, mentioned XXVII Exod. 19.
And all that is made for them.] And whatſoever elſe belonged to them. See III. 26.
So ſhall they ſerve.] Or, in that ſhall they ſerve.
Verſe 27 Ver. 27. At the appointment of Aaron and his Sons, ſhall be all the Service of the Sons of the Gerſhonites, &c.] In the Hebrew it is, at the Mouth of Aaron, &c. i. e. according to their Order every one of the Gerſhonites were to apply themſelves to ſuch Services, as they directed. For God had given the Levites to them to be their Miniſters, and keep their Charge, III. 6, 7.
And ye ſhall appoint unto them in charge, all their Burdens.] The word here for appoint ſeems to import, that the Prieſts gave them a Particular, as we ſpeak, of what they were to do; that they might neither forget, nor miſtake. For it is the ſame word that is uſed in the beginning of this Book (I. 3.) for numbring the People; and ſo it is uſed here, v. 34, 47, 48. Therefore the Vulgar tranſlates theſe words, Et ſciant ſinguli cui debeant operi mancipari; and every Man may know, what is his proper buſineſs: Which is the Senſe of the LXX alſo. And affords an excellent Inſtruction to all Men, to follow diligently the buſineſs of their own Callings; not to meddle with other Mens, nor to think themſelves fit to undertake every thing. foreign, as Ariſtotle ſpeaks in his Politicks, L. III. One work is beſt performed, by one Perſon.
Ver. 28. And their charge ſhall be under the hand of Ithamar the Son of Aaron the Prieſt.] That is, under Verſe 28 the Direction and Conduct of Ithamar. For though the Gerſhonites had a Chief of their own, III. 24. yet Ithamar was to inſpect both him and them; and ſee they did not neglect their Duty. Thus Eleazar was ſet over the Kohathites, v. 16.
Ver. 29. As for the Sons of Merari, thou ſhalt number Verſe 29 them after their Families, &c.] Which were but two, (III. 33.) as thoſe of Gerſhon were.
Ver. 30. Every one that entreth into the Service.] Verſe 30 The words in the Hebrew are the very ſame with thoſe, v. 3. which we tranſlate enter into the Hoſt. See there.
Ver. 31. This is the charge of their Burden, &c.] Verſe 31 The moſt cumberſome things fell to their charge; which here follow.
The Boards of the Tabernacle.] See XXVI Exod. 15, &c.
And the Bars thereof.] See there v. 26, &c.
And the Pillars thereof.] See in the ſame place, v. 32. and XXXVI. 36.
And Sockets thereof.] Theſe belonged both to the Boards of the Tabernacle, XXVI Exod. 19, 21, 25. and to the Pillars, XXVI Exod. 32. XXXVIII. 27.
Ver. 32. And the Pillars of the Court round about, Verſe 32 XXVII Exod. 10, 11, 12.
And their Sockets.] See there.
And their Pins.] V. 19. and XXXVIII. 20.
And their Cords.] XXXV Exod. 18. XXXIX. 40.
By name ye ſhall reckon the Inſtruments of the charge of their Burden.] The Prieſts (particularly Ithamar) were to give them an Inventory of theſe things: Expreſſing by name, every Pin, for inſtance, and to what uſe, and in what place it ſerved. Becauſe otherwiſe ſuch ſmall things might have been loſt, if they had not taken a ſpecial care of them; and they might not have been able to ſet up the Tabernacle again, when they reſted, for want of them.
Verſe 33 Ver. 33. This is the Service of the Families of the Sons of Merari, according to all their Service in the Tabernacle of the Congregation.] In taking down, and carrying the Tabernacle.
Ʋnder the hand of Ithamar, &c.] Who had the over-ſight both of the Gerſhonites, and the Merarites: As Eleazar had of the Kohathites, v. 16, 28.
Verſe 34 Ver. 34. And Moſes and Aaron, and the Chief of the Congregation.] They took to their aſſiſtance the very ſame Men, I ſuppoſe, who were employed in the numbring all the Children of Iſrael, Chap. I. 4. 16, 17.
Numbred the Sons of the Kohathites, &c.] Having aſſigned to them their particular Charge, they now proceed to number them, as God commanded, v. 2, 3.
Verſe 35 Ver. 35. Every one that entreth into the Service.] Or, as we tranſlate it, v. 3. entreth into the Hoſt.
Verſe 36 Ver. 36. And thoſe that were numbred of them by their Families, were Two thouſand ſeven hundred and fifty.] Of the whole number of Males deſcended from Kohath, (compare this with III. 28.) there was a fourth part and better, that were fit for Service.
Ver. 37. Theſe were they that were numbred of the Families of the Kohathites, all that might do Service in the Tabernacle.] Such Service as is particularly mentioned from v. 4. to v. 16. Verſe 37
Ver. 38. And theſe are they that were numbred of the Verſe 38 Sons of Gerſhon, &c.] He proceeds in the ſame order to number them, which he obſerved in giving them their Charge: beginning with the Children of the ſecond Son of Levi, and then going back to the eldeſt.
Ver. 39. From thirty years old and upward, &c.] Verſe 39 This Verſe is the very ſame with 35.
Ver. 40. Two thouſand and ſix hundred and thirty.] Verſe 40 A third part and little more of their Males, were fit for Service. Compare this with III. 22.
Ver. 41. Theſe are they that were numbred of the Families Verſe 41 of the Sons of Gerſhon, of all that might do Service in the Tabernacle, &c.] Such Service as is deſcribed from v. 24. to v. 29.
Ver. 42, 43. Theſe two Verſes are the ſame with Verſe 42. 43. v. 38, 39.
Ver. 44. Even thoſe that were numbred of them after Verſe 44 their Families, were three thouſand and two hundred.] It is very remarkable the Deſcendants from the youngeſt Son of Levi, (III. 17.) which had the feweſt Males in it of a Month old and upward, had the moſt robuſt Men fit for Service. For here are above half (compare this with III. 34.) of the whole number of Males grown up to Thirty Years of Age. Which was a ſingular Providence, the heavieſt Burden lying upon them, who were to carry the Boards, &c. of the Tabernacle. Not indeed upon their ſhoulders, but in Waggons; which they were to load, after they had taken them down, and unload, when they were to ſet them up again: and for that reaſon had more Waggons allowed them than their Brethren the Gerſhonites, VII. 7, 8.
Verſe 45 Ver. 45. Theſe are thoſe, &c. whom Moſes and Aaron numbred.] Who were principally employed in this buſineſs.
According to the Word of the LORD by the hand of Moſes.] To whom the Command is expreſly directed, v. 21.
Verſe 46 Ver. 46. All thoſe that were numbred of the Levites, whom Moſes and Aaron and the Chief of Iſrael numbred.] For they took in others to their aſſiſtance, v. 34. which is here repeated to ſhow that there was no fraud in the buſineſs; there being Witneſſes of every Tribe that they proceeded impartially, and did not favour the Levites, who were their Brethren.
Verſe 47 Ver. 47. Every one that came to do the Service of the Miniſtry, and the Service of the Burden in the Tabernacle, &c.] The firſt of theſe [the Service of the Miniſtry] one would think related to their ſerving the Prieſt when the Tabernacle was ſtanding; and the later [the Service of the Burden] to their carrying the Tabernacle when it was taken down, and removed: and ſo I expounded thoſe words, v. 24. But he mentioning here only thoſe that were numbred from Thirty Years old, I think, upon further conſideration, that there is no regard in theſe Expreſſions to the Service they did to the Prieſts in the Tabernacle; unto which they were admitted at Twenty five Years old, (See v. 3.) but only to the Service mentioned here in this Chapter, which relates altogether to the taking down and carrying the Tabernacle. And therefore theſe muſt be lookt upon as two Phraſes, for the ſame thing: the former of which is not exactly tranſlated; for there is nothing of Miniſtry in the Hebrew; but the words are, Every one that cometh to ſerve the Service of the Service, and the Service of the Burden, or Carriage. For it is the ſame word, which being joyned with work, we tranſlate ſervile, XXIII Lev. 7. and other places.
Ver. 48. Eight thouſand and five hundred and fourſcore.] Verſe 48 If the three Sums, mentioned v. 36, 40, 44. be put together, they amount exactly to this Sum in the whole.
Ver. 49. According to the Commandment of the Verſe 49 LORD they were numbred, by the hand of Moſes.] By the aſſiſtance of Aaron and others, v. I, 34, 46.
Every one according to his Service, and according to his Burden.] I obſerved before, v. 47. that Service and Burden are two Expreſſions of the ſame thing. For though the Sons of Kohath had the nobleſt part of the Work, yet their Employment is called both a Service and a Burden, v. 19. as that of the Gerſhonites is v. 24. For which Service all the Tithes of the Country of Canaan were given to them; and continued to be theirs when this kind of Service ceaſed, as it did when the Temple was built. For then there were no Burdens to be carried on their ſhoulders, (as Joſiah ſpeaks 2 Chron. XXXV. 3.) but their Duty was changed, even by David before the Building of the Temple: who made them Singers, and Keepers of the Treaſury, as well as Porters at the Gates of God's Houſe; and likewiſe Judges and other Officers in the Country, as we read in 1 Chron. XXVI. But the alteration in their Service, made no alteration in the Wages allotted to them; for they ſtill enjoyed all the Tithes.
Thus were they numbred of him, as the LORD commanded Moſes.] This is ſo often repeated, (v. 37, 41, 45.) that all Poſterity might reverence theſe Ordinances, as Divine Inſtitutions, and not merely Humane Appointments. And ſo we are to look upon all theſe Laws, as wiſe Orders made by the Soveraign of the World, for the better Government of that People, whom he had taken for his own peculiar. And it argues a very profane Spirit in thoſe (as Conr. Pellicanus here obſerves) who can admire and praiſe Ovid de Faſtis, and ſuch like Books; and have no regard at all (if they do not ridicule them) to theſe Sacred Writings, which are of ſuch venerable Antiquity.