Commentary on Numbers, Book · Chapter 3
CHAP. III.
Chapter III Verſe 1 Ver. 1. THeſe are the Generations of Aaron and Moſes.] Being now to give an account of the Levites, who had not been numbred with the reſt of the Children of Iſrael, he ſets down the deſcendants of the principal Perſons among them, viz. Aaron (whom he puts in the firſt place, becauſe he was the elder Brother, and his Poſterity were advanced to the Dignity of Prieſts) and Moſes; whoſe Poſterity were only Miniſters to the Prieſts, as all the common Levites were. It may ſeem indeed at firſt fight, as if he gave an account only of Aaron's Poſterity, v. 2. But if we look further to v. 27, 28. we ſhall find the Poſterity of both here numbred, in the Family of the Amramites; of which both Aaron and Moſes were: Amram being their Father; from whom the Genealogy of the Children of Moſes is derived, (1 Chron. XXIII. 13, 14, &c.) through their Generations; as here thoſe of Aaron.
Concerning the word Generations, See Dr. Hammond on the firſt of St. Matthew, Not. a.
In the day that the LORD ſpake unto Moſes in Mount Sinai.] This Circumſtance ſeems to be particularly ſpecified, becauſe at that time Nadab and Abihu (who are mentioned in the next Verſe) were both alive, and very eminent Perſons, (XXIV Exod. 1, 9, 10.) though they were now dead, at this numbring of the Levites.
Ver. 2. Theſe are the Names of the Sons of Aaron, Verſe 2 Nadab the firſt-born, &c.] There ſeems no neceſſity of ſetting down the Names of Aaron's Sons; they not being here to be numbred. But it was of great Concernment to have the Diſtinction preſerved between the Prieſts and the Levites; their Offices being very different: and therefore Moſes here ſets down who belonged to the one, and who to the other.
Ver. 3. Theſe are the Names of the Sons of Aaron, Verſe 3 the Prieſts which were anointed.] See VIII Levit. 30.
Which he conſecrated.] In the Hebrew, whoſe Hand he filled. See XXVIII Exod. 41. XXIX. 9.
To miniſter in the Prieſts Office.] He would have it noted, that Aaron's Poſterity were ſolemnly conſecrated to an higher Office than the reſt of the Tribe of Levi; who were to be their Servants. The very name of Cohen carries Dignity in it; ſignifying ſometime a Prince, as well as a Prieſt. Accordingly, the Prieſts had very little ſervile Work impoſed upon them; but their chief buſineſs was to draw near to God, to preſent him with the Blood, and the Fat, and ſome part of the Sacrifices; which might be killed by other Perſons. This ſhows that they were God's Familiars; inſomuch that ſome Sacrifices were divided between him, and them: and it was the ſame thing, whether they were conſumed on the Alter, or eaten by the Prieſts: And thoſe things are ſaid to be given to God, which were put into their hands; though they never came to the Altar. Which is an Evidence of the near relation they had to the Divine Majeſty, which the Levites had not; for they could not come nigh to offer any thing to him, no more than the reſt of the Iſraelites: but were employed in inferior Services about the Tabernacle, that the Prieſts might wholly attend to the Service of God at the Altar.
Verſe 4 Ver. 4. And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, &c.] A little after their Conſecration, X Lev. 1, &c.
And they had no Children.] Which is here recorded, that all Poſterity might know there were none to be admitted to the Office of Prieſthood, but ſuch as could derive their Genealogy from Eleazar or Ithamar. If the other had left any Sons, they would have inherited their Father's Office, before Eleazar; as Maimonides obſerves out of Siphre. See Schickard his Jus Regium, Cap. VI. Theorem. XX.
And Eleazar and Ithamar miniſtred in the Prieſts Office, in the ſight of their Father.] The LXX rightly tranſlate it, together with their Father: Who was the High Prieſt; and they Lower Prieſts under him. And ſo were all their Sons; which it is likely they had in good number: For they are appointed, v. 38. for the guard of the Tabernacle towards the Eaſt. And thus the Gemara Hieoroſol. in the Title concerning Faſting ſaith, That Moſes appointed VIII Claſſes of Prieſts; four of the Family of Eleazar, and as many of Ithamar: which continued till the time of Samuel the Prophet, and David, who admitted many more. See Selden de Succeſſ. in Pontif. Cap. I.
Ver. 5. And the LORD ſpake unto Moſes, ſaying.] Now he gives order about the reſt of the Tribe of Levi; who had been omitted in the late Muſter. Verſe 5
Ver. 6. Bring the Tribe of Levi near, and preſent Verſe 6 them.] They had conſecrated themſelves to God, by a noble Act mentioned XXXII Exod. 29. Which procured them this Bleſſing to be preſented to God, and conſecrated to him in a ſolemn manner, for ſuch Services as he ſhould aſſign them. So this word bring near ſignifies, to offer them unto God: As they were VIII. 10, 11.
Before Aaron the Prieſt.] In his preſence.
That they may miniſter unto him.] Unto Aaron and the reſt of the Prieſts; who were the immediate Miniſters of God; and the Levites were given to miniſter unto them. Which they did many ways; eſpecially while they remain'd in the Wilderneſs; where they had a peculiar Charge, (which otherwiſe would have been incumbent on the Prieſts) not only to guard the Tabernacle, and keep a Watch night and day about it; but alſo to take it down, and to carry it, when they removed; and to ſet it up again when they reſted: as we read in the following part of this Chapter, and in the next. When they came into the Land of Canaan, and were ſettled there, they had leſs to do of this kind: But as the Charge of the Tabernacle ſtill lay upon them, as it had done before; ſo did other Works in the Courts of the LORD'S Houſe, and in the Chambers, where they waited on the Prieſts; which are particularly mentioned in 1 Chron. XXIII. 28, 29, &c. And in David's time their Work was ſtill more increaſed; for he appointed them to be Singers in the Houſe of the LORD, and to play upon ſeveral ſorts of Inſtruments, 1 Chron. XXV. which they did Morning and Evening, 1 Chron. XXIII. 30. Porters perhaps there were before, who ſtood at the ſeveral Gates of the Tabernacle, as afterward of the Temple; and are ſaid therein to miniſter in the Houſe of the LORD, 1 Chron. XXVI. 12. as alſo Guards of the Treaſury of God's Houſe, and of things dedicated to him, v. 20. But as he increaſed the number of them, ſo he ſettled them in their Courſes; that there might be a conſtant Attendance with greater eaſe. As for thoſe of them, that were made Judges and Officers, not only in Matters concerning the LORD, but in the Service of the King, (as we read there 1 Chron. XXVI. 29, 30.) it no more belongs to what is ſaid of them here, than what follows there, v. 31. that there were found among them mighty Men of Valour. See upon v. 10.
Verſe 7 Ver. 7. And they ſhall keep his Charge, and the charge of the whole Congregation.] It highly concerned Aaron in particular, and the whole Congregation in general; that the Tabernacle ſhould be well guarded: And this was the Levites great buſineſs at preſent; who took this Charge from off their hands, by attending that Service which all of them were bound to perform.
Before the Tabernacle of the Congregation.] This exactly expreſſes in what their Miniſtry conſiſted: which was not performed in the Tabernacle, (where the Prieſts only officiated in the Holy Place, as the High Prieſt in the moſt Holy) but before it, in the External Part of it, where they aſſiſted the Prieſts in their Service.
To do the Service of the Tabernacle.] Such Service as I have mentioned before, v. 6.
Ver. 8. And they ſhall keep.] By guarding them, and keeping a continual Watch about them. Verſe 8
All the Inſtruments of the Tabernacle of the Congregation.] Every thing belonging to it.
And the charge of the Children of Iſrael, to do the Service of the Tabernacle.] By which Service at the Tabernacle, they took upon them the Charge; which otherwiſe was incumbent on the whole Congregation: who were to take care that the holy Things were kept both ſafe and ſecure, and alſo ſeparate to the Sacred Uſes to which they were appointed.
Theſe words, which are often repeated, [to do the Service of the Tabernacle,] are to be carefully noted: becauſe the Levites did not ſerve in the Tabernacle, (which belonged only to the Prieſts) but ſerved the Tabernacle, by guarding it, and taking it down, and carrying it, &c. as was ſaid before.
Ver. 9. And thou ſhalt give the Levites unto Aaron Verſe 9 and to his Sons.] They were firſt preſented unto God, v. 6. and God beſtowed them as a Gift upon the Prieſts. See VIII. 19.
They are wholly given unto him out of the Children of Iſrael.] To attend upon the Prieſts, and to obey their Orders; for which they paid them nothing, but they were to do it freely: being given to them to be their Servants, by God who paid them their Wages.
Ver. 10. And thou ſhalt appoint Aaron and his Sons, Verſe 10 and they ſhall wait on their Prieſts Office.] Or, thou ſhalt appoint them to wait on their Prieſthood. Which he had ſhown before was very different from the Levitical Office; but to make them more mindful of their Dignity, he repeats it again: that Aaron and his Sons alone ſhould officiate as Prieſts; viz. in offering Sacrifice; in ſetting the Bread upon the Holy Table; looking after the Lights; and burning Incenſe: Which they were to perform in their own Perſons, and not appoint any others, as their Deputies, to do them; for none of theſe things could be performed by the Levites. Whoſe buſineſs it was to look after the fine Flour of which the Bread was made; to prepare it, and the Frankincenſe which was to be burnt, and abundance of ſuch like things; which are particularly mentioned 1 Chron. IX. 27, 28, 29, 31, 32. But they could not make the Anointing Oyl, or the ſweet Perfume mentioned XXX Exod. 23, 34. for they were most holy: and therefore the Prieſts only could compound them.
And the Stranger that cometh nigh.] By Stranger is meant any one (though a Levite) that was not of the Sons of Aaron: who alone had the priviledge, to approach unto God.
Shall be put to death.] God himſelf ſent out a Fire to conſume Korah and his Company, who preſumed to offer Incenſe; being but bare Levites, and not Prieſts, Chap. XVI.
Verſe 11 Ver. 11. And the LORD ſpake unto Moſes, ſaying.] To make the Matter more clear, he further tells Moſes the reaſon why he took the Levites from among the the Children of Iſrael, to be his after a peculiar manner.
Verſe 12 Ver. 12. And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the Children of Iſrael.] Take notice of the Reaſon why I have taken the Levites from among the reſt of the Iſraelites, (v. 9.) for it is by my Order and Appointment.
Inſtead of all the First-born that openeth the Matrix, &c.] To make an exchange with them for all their Firſt-born, which I have heretofore challenged as my own: and now take the Levites in their ſtead.
Therefore the Levites ſhall be mine.] As all the Firſt-born were: which now ſhall be theirs, and the Levites be mine.
Ver. 13. Becauſe all the First-born are mine.] By Verſe 13 a ſpecial Right, which is mentioned in the next words.
For on the day that I ſmote all the Firſt-born in the Land of Egypt.] The Title whereby he laid a Claim to all the Firſt-born, was that great Miracle (as R. Levi of Barcelona calls it) which he wrought, when he deſtroyed all the Firſt-born of their Neighbours in Egypt; and touched not one of theirs. By which ſparing Mercy he acquired a juſt Right to them; and by that ſolemn Dedication which he then commanded to be made of them, unto his uſes, XIII Exod. 2, 12, 13.
I hallowed unto me all the First-born in Iſrael, &c.] He ſeparated them unto himſelf, by ſparing them, when he killed all other Firſt-born, but only theirs.
Mine they ſhall be.] Both by that Act of his own, and by the Act of the Children of Iſrael, whom he commanded to Sanctifie them to him, (XIII Exod. 2. XXII. 29.) they became God's. By which it appears, that he had not a peculiar Right in the Firſt-born, more than in any other of their Children, till their coming out of Egypt. And therefore the taking of the Levites to be his, inſtead of the Firſt-born, is no Argument that the Firſt-born had hitherto been the Prieſts who miniſtred unto God, till this Exchange of them for the Levites. So our learned Dr. Lightfoot ſeems to infer, in his Notes upon this paſſage; The Firſt-born, ſaith he, had been Prieſts till the Conſecration of the Levites, but now that Function muſt be confined to that Tribe. In which words (with due reſpect be it ſpoken to that excellent Man's Labours) there are ſeveral Miſtakes. For, as the Prieſthood was not now confined to this Tribe, but to one Family in this Tribe, (that of Aaron) ſo it was not confined to it, upon this occaſion: but he and his Sons were Conſecrated before this Exchange of the Levites for the Firſt-born: Who were now given to miniſter unto them, but had nothing to do with the Prieſthood; no more than the Firſt-born had, for whom they were exchanged: that peculiar Right which God had in the Firſt-born, being ſince their coming out of Egypt. Upon all which Conſiderations we may look upon this Exchange, as an Argument rather that the Firſt-born were not Prieſts in former times, than that they were: as the Jews fancy, and as many have ſuggeſted from this very taking of the Levites to be God's portion in their ſtead. For ſo Menochius himſelf, L. II. de Repub. Jud. cap. 1. aſſerts from this very place, Jus Sacerdotum in Levitas tranſlatum, & eos loco primogenitorum acceptos, quibus hoc jus debebatur, that the Right of Prieſts was transferred to the Levites, and they were accepted in ſtead of the Firſt-born, to whom that Right belonged. In which there is not a word of truth, but only that the Levites were accepted inſtead of the Firſt-born: who had the ſame Right to the Prieſthood, that the Levites had; that is, none at all.
I am the LORD.] Who may take whom I pleaſe to be imployed in my Service; and think it reaſonable that thoſe whom I ſpared, when I ſlew the Egyptian Firſt-born, ſhould be mine.
Ver. 14. And the LORD ſpake unto Moſes.] There was ſome reaſon, no doubt, why Moſes alone is commanded to take the number of the Levites upon this occaſion, (as he alone did, v. 16.) when Aaron Verſe 14 is joined with him in numbring the Iſraelites, I. 3. and in numbring the Levites themſelves who were fit for ſervice, IV. 2, 41, 45. (nay, the chief of the Iſraelites aſſiſted therein, v. 46.) And it is moſt probable he alone was employed to take this account, becauſe Aaron was a party in it; the Money that was to be paid for ſo many of the firſt-born, as exceeded the number of the Levites, being given to him, and to his Sons, v. 48.
In the Wilderneſs of Sinai.] This Command immediately followed the other, in the two preceding Chapters, before they departed from the Wilderneſs of Sinai; where they had been ever ſince God delivered the Law to them, from that Mountain.
Ver. 15. Number the Children of Levi after the Houſe Verſe 15 of their Fathers, by their Families.] Juſt as they had numbred the reſt of the Children of Iſrael. See I. v. 2. Only thoſe they numbred from Twenty years old and upward; but the Levites from a Month old and upward.
Every Male from a month old and upward, ſhalt thou number them.] The reaſon of this difference was, that this was the Age, at which they were to redeem their Firſt-born, (XVIII. 16.) in whoſe ſtead the Levites were to be given unto God. See v. 40. of this Chapter.
Ver. 16. And Moſes numbred them according to the Verſe 16 word of the LORD, &c.] This Charge was committed to him alone, v. 10. and he alone (as I there obſerved) performed it.
Ver. 17. And theſe were the Sons of Levi, by their names, Gerſhon. and Kohath, and Merari.] The ſame account we had before, XLVI Gen. 11. VI Exod. 16.
Verſe 18 Ver. 18. And theſe are the Names of the Sons of Gerſhon, by their Families, Libni and Shimei.] The ſame is ſaid VI Exod. 17.
Verſe 19 Ver. 19. And the Names of the Sons of Kohath, &c.] They are mentioned in the ſame order, in that VI Exod. 18, 19.
Verſe 20 Ver. 20. Theſe are the Families of the Levites, according to the Houſe of their Fathers.] Theſe were the principal Families in this Tribe; from whence the ſeveral Houſholds, and the Perſons in them, were derived.
Verſe 21, 22. Ver. 21, 22. Of Gerſhon was the Family, &c.] From his two Sons ſprung two Families: who had in them Seven thouſand and five hundred Male Children, from a Month old and upward.
Verſe 23 Ver. 23. And the Families of the Gerſhonites ſhall pitch behind the Tabernacle weſtward.] Where the moſt holy place was; and where they under the Standard of Ephraim lay, in the great Camp of Iſrael, (II. 18.) between whom and the Tabernacle, this part of the Camp of Levi pitched.
Verſe 24 Ver. 24. And the Chief of the Houſe of the Father of the Gerſhonites, &c.] The Commander in Chief, as we may ſtile him, or the principal Officer in this part of the Camp of the Levites; was Eliaſaph the Son of Lael: but of what Family he was, whether of the Libnites, or Shimites, is not related.
Verſe 25 Ver. 25. And the Charge of the Sons of Gerſhon.] That which was committed peculiarly to their care.
In the Tabernacle of the Congregation.] In the things belonging to the Tabernacle: for none went into it, but the Prieſts alone.
Shall be the Tabernacle.] Not the Boards and Pillars, and Baſes of it, (for they belonged to the care of the Sons of Merari, v. 36.) but the Ten Curtains, which were the inward Hangings of it; and are called the Miſchcan or Tabernacle, XXVI Exod. 1. and ſee the next Chapter of this Book, v. 25.
And the Tent.] The outward Curtains of Goats Hair, which are called Ohel, the Tent, XXVI Exod. 7.12.
The Covering thereof.] The Michſe, as the Hebrews call it, or the Covering of the Tent, were the Rams Skins, and Badgers Skins; which lay outmoſt of all, upon the Curtains of Goats Hair, XXVI Exod. 14.
And the hanging for the Door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation.] The outward Vail, mentioned XXVI Exod. 36. for the inward Vail, which hung before the moſt holy Place, was the Charge of the Kohathites.
Ver. 26. And the Hangings of the Court.] See Verſe 26 XXVII Exod. 9.
And the Curtain for the Door of the Court, XXVI Exod. 16.
Which is by the Tabernacle, and by the Altar round about.] Or, as the Hebrew particle al may be tranſlated, is over, or upon the Tabernacle, &c. That is, this Curtain at the Door, and the Hangings of the Court, compaſſed the Tabernacle, and the Altar of Burnt-offerings (which ſtood at the Door of it, XL Exod. 19.) round about; ſo that they were not expoſed to common fight: For theſe Gerſhonites had nothing to do with the Altar it ſelf; which was the Charge of the Kohathites, v. 31.
And the Cords of it.] This ſeems to refer not merely to the Curtain for the Door of the Court, but to all that went before, viz. the Cords whereby thoſe Hangings were ſtretched out, and faſtned by Pins to the Wood-work of the Tabernacle. For the Cords of that belonged to the Cuſtody of the Sons of Merari, v. 37. and we find Pins and Cords as well for the Tabernacle, (that is, the Hangings) as for the Court, i. e. the Boards, &c. XXXV Exod. 18.
For all the Service thereof.] Of this part of the Houſe of God, as appears from v. 31, and 36. where this is repeated with reſpect to the other parts of it.
Verſe 27 Ver. 27. And of Kohath was the Family of the Amramites, &c.] He was the ſecond Son of Levi; and had as many more Families ſprung from him as from the Eldeſt: among which was the Family of the Amramites; of which were Moſes and Aaron.
Verſe 28 Ver. 28. In the number of all the Males, &c.] Though there were four Families of the Kohathites, and but two of the Gerſhonites; yet the latter were as numerous as they, within Eleven hundred.
Keeping the Charge of the Sanctuary.] Of what belonged to the holy Place, which was committed to their Charge, as it follows afterward; and they were inſtructed in it betimes.
Verſe 29 Ver. 29. The Families of the Sons of Kohath ſhall pitch on the ſide of the Tabernacle ſouthward.] Between the Tabernacle, ond the Standard of Reuben, II. 10.
Verſe 30 Ver. 30. And the Chief of the Houſe of the Father of the Families of the Kohathites, ſhall be Elizaphan the Son of Ʋzziel.] There was a Commander in Chief appointed over this Body of the Levites: who was choſen out of the youngeſt Family of the Kohathites. But it is obſervable there were no Standards belonging to any of theſe Bodies; they being deſigned for other Service, and not for War.
Ver. 31. And their Charge ſhall be the Ark, and the Verſe 31 Table, and the Candleſtick.] The Sanctuary, as was ſaid before, v. 28. being committed to their Cuſtody; the Particulars are here mentioned: which were the moſt precious of all the holy Things. With which the Kohathites had the honour to be intruſted, though a younger Family than thoſe deſcended from Gerſhon; becauſe Moſes and Aaron were of it, being of the Family of the Amramites. Which is the reaſon why the Kohathites are reckoned▪ firſt in the next Chapter, v. 2. and that of the XLVIII Cities given to the Levites by Joſhua, almoſt half of them fell to their Families, XXI Joſh. 4, 5.
The Altars.] Both the Altar of Burnt-offerings; and the Altar of Incenſe.
And the Veſſels of the Sanctuary wherewith they (i. e. the Prieſts) miniſter. See XXV. Exod. 29. XXXVII. 16.
And the hanging.] That is, the Vail before the moſt Holy Place, (for all other Hangings were under the care of the Gerſhonites, v. 25, 26.) wherein the Ark was wrapt, when they carried it, IV. 5.
And all the Service thereof.] Whatſoever belonged to this part of God's Houſe. See v. 26. and the Particulars are mentioned in the next Chapter, v. 7, 9, 14.
Ver. 32. And Eleazar the Son of Aaron ſhall be chief Verſe 32 over the Chief of the Levites.] There was one Officer in chief, ſet over each of theſe great Families of the Gerſhonites, v. 24. of the Kohathites, v. 30. and the Merarites, v. 35. And over all theſe Chiefs, there is now appointed a ſupreme Chief, (who was to govern them, as they governed thoſe under them) and that was Eleazar, who was more than a Levite; being the eldeſt Son of Aaron the High Prieſt.
And have the over-ſight of them that keep the charge of the Sanctuary.] But more particularly Eleazar was to ſuper-viſe thoſe that had the Sanctuary under their care: That is, all the Rohathites and Elizaphan their chief, v. 20.
Verſe 33, 34. Ver. 33, 34. Of Merari was the Family of the Mahlites, and the Family of the Muſhites, &c.] Nothing is obſervable of theſe, but that they were the feweſt in number; being thirteen hundred leſs than the Children of Gerſhon, v. 22.
Verſe 35 Ver. 35. Theſe ſhall pitch on the ſide of the Tabernacle Northward.] Oppoſite to the Kohathites; between the Standard of Dan, and the Sanctuary, II. 25.
Verſe 36 Ver. 36. And under the Cuſtody and Charge of the Sons of Merari, ſhall be the Boards of the Tabernacle, &c.] Concerning all the things mentioned in this, and in the next Verſe. See XXVI. Exod. 15, 16, &c. XXVII. 10, 11, 12, &c. and the next Chapter of this Book, v. 31, 32.
Verſe 37 Ver. 37. And their Cords.] Theſe are different from thoſe before mentioned, v. 27. as I noted there.
Verſe 38 Ver. 38. But thoſe that encamp before the Tabernacle towards the Eaſt.] Where the Entrance into it was.
Even before the Tabernacle of the Congregation Eaſtward.] He would have this Station obſerved, as much excelling the reſt.
Shall be Moſes and Aaron, and his Sons.] There were but three Bodies of the Levites, deſcended from the three Sons of Levi, v. 1. and therefore none left to guard this ſide of the Tabernacle, but Moſes and Aaron, and their Families: who lay between the Standard of Judah, and the Tabernacle, (ſee Chap. II. v. 3.) which was the moſt honourable Poſt, as I there noted: Where the Prieſts were with great reaſon placed, together with the chief Governor of all, Moſes; becauſe they were to guard the Holy Place, that none might go into it, but themſelves.
Keeping the charge of the Sanctuary.] Of the Entrance into it.
For the charge of the Children of Iſrael.] Which it concerned every one of the Children of Iſrael, ſhould be kept ſacred. See v. 7.
And the Stranger that cometh nigh ſhall be put to Death.] No Man that was not of the Houſe of Aaron (though a Levite) was upon the peril of his life, to enter into the Sanctuary: Of which they had the charge. See v. 10.
Ver. 39. All that were numbred of the Levites, which Verſe 39 Moſes and Aaron numbred, at the Commandment of the LORD.] This looks like a Contradiction to the Obſervation, I made, v. 14.16. But Aaron's numbring here, in all Probability, is only his agreeing that this was a true Account which Moſes took of the Tribe of Levi. For Moſes ſtill continues to be alone concerned, in numbring the Firſt-born of the Children of Iſrael, for whom they were to be exchanged, v. 40.42.
Were twenty and two thouſand.] If the particular Sums before-mentioned, (v. 22, 28, 34.) be put together, they amount to three hundred more, than twenty two thouſand. Therefore it is a reaſonable Conjecture that the three hundred are omitted in this account, becauſe they were the firſt-born of the Levites themſelves: and upon that ſcore belonging to God already, (by the Law in XIII. Exod. 2. XXXIV. 20.) could not be exchanged for the firſt-born of other Tribes, and ſubſtituted in their ſtead, as other Levites were. It is very obſervable here alſo, that the Levites were the feweſt in number of any Tribe; being but Two and twenty thouſand, three hundred, from a Month old and upward; when ſome Tribes were twice, nay thrice as many, (See I. 27.) not reckoning Children, but only Men from twenty years old and upward. In which the Divine Providence was very conſpicuous: Which ſo ordered it, that this whole Tribe might be dedicated to him. Whereas, if it had grown proportionably to the reſt, there would have been more Levites by far than the firſt-born of all the Tribes.
Verſe 40 Ver. 40. And the LORD ſaid unto Moſes.] To whom alone this Command is directed, as I obſerved above.
Number all the firſt-born of the Males of the Children of Iſrael from a month old and upward.] The firſt-born Males were to be a Month old, before their Parents were bound to redeem them: If they died before, they were not to pay any thing for them. Which depends upon another Law, XII Lev. 4.6. Where if a Woman brought forth a Male; beſides the ſeven days of her Separation, ſhe was to ſtay three and thirty days more before ſhe went unto the Sanctuary. At which time the Child being to be preſented to God, it appears that he acknowledged them for his when they were a Month old. Yet they diſtinguiſh between the time when the Redemption-Money was due, and when it was offered. This latter was deferred till the Mother was abroad again: but it was due, and the Father obliged to pay it, as ſoon as the Child was a Month old. So Conſt. L'Empereur obſerves out of Maimonides, upon Bava kama, cap. VII. Sect. 6.
And take the number of their Names.] That their number, and that of the Levites, might be compared one with the other; for the reaſon which here follows.
Ver. 41. And thou ſhalt take the Levites for me (I Verſe 41 am the LORD) inſtead of all the Firſt-born among the Children of Iſrael.] God had taken them before, as we read, v. 12. by declaring his Will to Moſes about it. And now he commands Moſes to declare his Will to the People, and actually to make this exchange; after he had taken the Number, both of the Firſt-born, and of the Levites. For he had Authority to take which he pleaſed, being their LORD.
And the Cattel of the Levites, inſtead of all the Firſtlings among the Cattel of the Children of Iſrael.] Not that they ſhould be ſacrificed, or taken from the Levites; but that they ſhould be accounted God's Cattel: they being the Cattel of the Levites; who were his entirely. And therefore were preſented unto him, as the Levites were; but ſtill continued in their poſſeſſion by his Allowance, for their Encouragement in his Service. See v. 45.
Ver. 42. And Moſes numbred, as the LORD commanded Verſe 42 him, all the First-born of the Children of Iſrael.] But we do not find that he numbred the Firſtlings of their Cattel, or the Cattel of the Levites; becauſe the exchange of them was not made in particular, by ſubſtituting one for one; but generally, by ſubſtituting all the Cattel of the Levites, inſtead of all the Firſtlings of the Iſraelites Cattel.
Ver. 43. And all the firſt-born Males, by the number Verſe 43 of Names, &c. and were Twenty and two thouſand two hundred, and threeſcore and thirteen.] It may appear ſomething ſtrange, that from above Six hundred thouſand Men, (reckoning from twenty years old and upward, I. 46.) there ſhould not be more than this number of firſt-born Sons; till it be conſidered that thus many were born ſince the Slaughter of the Egyptian Firſt-born, (which was not much above a year ago) after which time all the Firſt-born of Iſrael became God's; but not thoſe that were born before. For ſo the Law is, XIII Exod. 2. Whatſoever openeth the Womb, (i. e. hereafter) both of Man and Beaſt, ſhall be mine.
Verſe 44 Ver. 44. And the LORD ſpake unto Moſes, ſaying.] Still he is the Perſon ſolely employed in this buſineſs.
Verſe 45 Ver. 45. Take the Levites inſtead of all the Firſt-born among the Children of Iſrael, and the Cattel of the Levites inſtead of their Cattel.] Having numbred both the Levites and the Firſt-born; now he bids him take thoſe Two and twenty thouſand Levites inſtead of ſo many Firſt-born. As for the Cattel, they were not numbred, as I obſerved before, but exchanged in the lump, as we ſpeak.
And the Levites ſhall be mine.] I think it is remarkable, that he doth not add, and their Cattel ſhall be mine alſo. For he did not take their Cattel from them, when they became his; but left them the uſe of them, who ſtill enjoyed them in his Right.
I am the LORD.] This exchange is made by my Authority; who am the LORD both of them, and all they have.
Ver. 46. And for thoſe that are to be redeemed of the Verſe 46 two hundred and threeſcore and thirteen, &c.] There being Two hundred threeſcore and thirteen Firſt-born, more than there were Levites, they are directed, in the next Verſe, what to do about them. For there could be no exchange of Levites for them; becauſe there was not a ſufficient number to be taken in their ſtead.
Ver. 47. Thou ſhalt even take five Shekels apiece by Verſe 47 the pole.] This was the Price of Redemption ever after, as appears from XVIII. 16. For it had been lately conſtituted the value of a Man-child, from a Month to five years old, in XXVII Levit. 6.
After the Shekel of the Sanctuary, &c.] See XXX Exod. 13, &c. The only difficulty in this matter, was to determine which of the Firſt-born ſhould be redeemed, by paying this Money; and which ſhould be exchanged for the Levites. For every one of the Iſraelites, no doubt, was deſirous rather to have his Firſt-born redeemed by a Levite, than by paying five Shekels; and yet ſome of them muſt be put to this expence, there not being Levites enough to anſwer for them all. The Jews think (particularly R. Solomon) that there was no way to ſatisfie this doubt like that, by drawing of lots. Which was done in this manner. Moſes, ſaith the fore-named Doctor, took Two and twenty thouſand Scrolls of Parchment, and wrote in them theſe words, a Son of Levi; and Two hundred and ſeventy and three more, wherein he wrote, five Shekels: and then putting them all together in an Urn, and ſhaking it to mingle them, he commanded every one of the Firſt-born to come, and put in his Hand, and draw out a Schedule: And to him that drew out one of the former ſort, he ſaid, a Levite hath redeemed thee; but to him that drew out one of the latter, he ſaid, pay thy Price. And thus they tell the Story alſo in the Gemara Babylon. Tit. Sanhedrin. Which is probable enough; unleſs we ſuppoſe the Congregation to have redeemed the Two hundred ſeventy three Firſt-born; out of a common Stock; which was a ſhorter way, but not ſo Divine as the other.
Verſe 48 Ver. 48. And thou ſhalt give the Money wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron, and to his Sons.] Which was but reaſonable; becauſe the Levites being given to them by God, v. 6, 7. the Money that was paid to make up what was wanting in their proportion to the Firſt-born, belonged to them likewiſe.
Verſe 49 Ver. 49. And Moſes took the Redemption-Money of them that were over and above.] To whom the Lot fell, having five Shekels written upon it.
Them that were redeemed by the Levites.] The Firſt-born were redeemed by the Levites as far as their number would reach; the reſt, who were more than the Levites, were redeemed by Money.
Verſe 50 Ver. 50. Of the Firſt-born of the Children of Iſrael took he the Money, a thouſand three hundred, and threeſcore and five Shekels. Five times two hundred ſeventy and three make juſt this number.
Ver. 51. And Moſes gave the Money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron, and to his Sons.] Which was a Rule obſerved in future Generations, XVIII 15, &c.
According to the Word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moſes.] This is ſo oft repeated, to ſhow how faithful a Servant Moſes was: who did nothing but by the Divine order; and omitted nothing that was commanded him.