Verse 1

Introduction

Overview

Numbers 3 . 1 , The sons of Aaron; Numbers 3 . 5 , The Levites are given to the priests instead of the first-born; Numbers 3 . 14 , are numbered by their families; Numbers 3 . 21 , The families , number , and charge of the Gershonites; Numbers 3 . 27 , of the Kohathites; Numbers 3 . 33 , of the Merarites; Numbers 3 . 38 , The place and charge of Moses and Aaron; Numbers 3 . 40 , The first-born are freed by the Levites; Numbers 3 . 44 , The overplus are redeemed.

generations . Genesis 2 . 4 , Genesis 5 . 1 , Genesis 10 . 1 , Exodus 6 . 16 , Exodus 6 . 20 , Matthew 1 . 1

spake . Numbers 1 . 1 , Leviticus 25 . 1 , Leviticus 27 . 34

Reciprocal . Numbers 1 . 47 . General Numbers 1 . 50 . thou shalt Numbers 8 . 1 . General Numbers 26 . 57 . of Gershon Deuteronomy 10 . 8 . time the Lord 1 Chronicles 6 . 48 . brethren Zechariah 12 . 13 . Levi

Verse 2

Numbers 26 . 60 , Exodus 6 . 23 , Exodus 28 . 1 , 1 Chronicles 6 . 3 , 1 Chronicles 24 . 1

Reciprocal . Numbers 17 . 3 . General Joshua 21 . 10 . General

Verse 3

the priests . Exodus 28 . 41 , Exodus 40 . 13 , Exodus 40 . 15 , Leviticus 8 . 2 , Leviticus 8 . 12 , Leviticus 8 . 30

whom he consecrated . Heb. whose hand he filled , Exodus 29 . 1-37 , Leviticus 8 . 1 . Leviticus 9 . 24 , Hebrews 7 . 28

Reciprocal . Exodus 30 . 30 . anoint Leviticus 10 . 1 . Nadab Leviticus 10 . 2 . fire Numbers 17 . 3 . General Hebrews 5 . 4 . General

Verse 4

Nadab . Numbers 26 . 61 , Leviticus 10 . 1 , Leviticus 10 . 2

Reciprocal . 1 Chronicles 6 . 50 . Eleazar 1 Chronicles 15 . 4 . the children of Aaron 1 Chronicles 24 . 2 . died

Verse 5

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 39 . and Aaron Numbers 8 . 11 . they may execute

Verse 6

The word hakraiv , here rendered bring near , is properly a sacrificial word , and signifies the presenting of a sacrifice or offering to the Lord. As an offering , the tribe of Levi was entirely given up to the service of the sanctuary , to be no longer their own , but the Lord's. Numbers 1 . 49-53 , Numbers 2 . 17 , Numbers 2 . 33 , Numbers 8 . 6-15 , Numbers 8 . 22-26 , Numbers 16 . 9-11 , Numbers 18 . 2-6 , Exodus 32 . 26-29 , Deuteronomy 33 . 8 , Deuteronomy 33 . 9 , Malachi 2 . 4

Reciprocal . Numbers 8 . 19 . I have given 1 Chronicles 23 . 28 . for the service 1 Chronicles 23 . 32 . the charge of the sons 2 Chronicles 29 . 11 . the Lord Ezra 6 . 18 . as it is written

Verse 7

keep . Numbers 3 . 32 , Numbers 8 . 26 , Numbers 31 . 30 , 1 Chronicles 23 . 28-32 , 1 Chronicles 26 . 20 , 1 Chronicles 26 . 22 , 1 Chronicles 26 . 26

to do the . Numbers 1 . 50 , Numbers 8 . 11 , Numbers 8 . 15 , Numbers 8 . 24-26

Reciprocal . Leviticus 8 . 35 . keep Numbers 1 . 53 . shall pitch Numbers 3 . 25 . the charge Numbers 3 . 28 . keeping Numbers 3 . 38 . for the charge Numbers 4 . 3 . to do Numbers 18 . 21 . even the service Numbers 18 . 23 . do the service Hebrews 13 . 10 . serve

Verse 8

Numbers 4 . 15 , Numbers 4 . 28 , Numbers 4 . 33 , Numbers 10 . 17 , Numbers 10 . 21 , 1 Chronicles 26 . 20-28 , Ezra 8 . 24-30 , Isaiah 52 . 11

Reciprocal . Numbers 1 . 53 . and the Numbers 3 . 38 . for the charge Numbers 4 . 12 . General Numbers 4 . 32 . the instruments Numbers 9 . 19 . kept the Numbers 18 . 21 . even the service Numbers 26 . 60 . General Numbers 31 . 30 . keep the Hebrews 13 . 10 . serve

Verse 9

Numbers 8 . 19 , Numbers 18 . 6 , Numbers 18 . 7 , Ephesians 4 . 8 , Ephesians 4 . 11

Verse 10

they shall . Numbers 18 . 7 , 1 Chronicles 6 . 32 , Ezekiel 44 . 8 , Acts 6 . 3 , Acts 6 . 4 , Romans 12 . 7 , 1 Timothy 4 . 15 , 1 Timothy 4 . 16

and the stranger . Numbers 3 . 38 , Numbers 1 . 51 , Numbers 16 . 35 , Numbers 16 . 40 , Numbers 18 . 3 , 1 Samuel 6 . 19 , 2 Samuel 6 . 7 , 2 Chronicles 26 . 16-21 , Ephesians 2 . 19 , Hebrews 8 . 4 , Hebrews 10 . 19-22

Reciprocal . Exodus 29 . 33 . a stranger Numbers 18 . 2 . but thou Numbers 18 . 4 . a stranger Numbers 18 . 22 . come nigh Deuteronomy 18 . 5 . General 1 Kings 12 . 31 . priests 1 Kings 13 . 33 . whosoever 1 Chronicles 13 . 7 . carried the ark 2 Chronicles 23 . 7 . whosoever Ezra 2 . 62 . therefore Nehemiah 12 . 44 . Judah rejoiced

Verse 11

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 39 . and Aaron

Verse 12

When God miraculously destroyed all the first-born of the Egyptians . Exodus 12 . 29 , he spared those of the Israelites; and , in commemoration of that event , he was pleased to appoint that all the first-born males "should be set apart unto himself" . Exodus 13 . 12-16. God is here pleased to relinquish this claim , and to appoint the whole tribe of Levi to attend his immediate service in their stead. Numbers 3 . 41 , Numbers 3 . 45 , Numbers 8 . 16 , Numbers 8 . 18 , Numbers 18 . 6

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 40 . General Numbers 8 . 15 . and offer Numbers 8 . 21 . offered

Verse 13

Because . Numbers 8 . 16 , Numbers 8 . 17 , Numbers 18 . 15 , Exodus 13 . 2 , Exodus 13 . 12 , Exodus 22 . 29 , Exodus 34 . 19 , Leviticus 27 . 26 , Ezekiel 44 . 30 , Luke 2 . 23 , Hebrews 12 . 23

on the day . Exodus 12 . 29 , Exodus 12 . 30 , Exodus 13 . 15

Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 15 . 19 . the firstling

Verse 15

Numbers 3 . 22 , Numbers 3 . 28 , Numbers 3 . 34 , Numbers 3 . 39 , Numbers 3 . 40 , Numbers 3 . 43 , Numbers 18 . 15 , Numbers 18 . 16 , Numbers 26 . 62 , Proverbs 8 . 17 , Jeremiah 2 . 2 , Jeremiah 31 . 3 , Mark 10 . 14 , 2 Timothy 3 . 15

Reciprocal . 1 Chronicles 23 . 24 . after the house 2 Chronicles 31 . 17 . genealogy

Verse 16

word . Heb. mouth , Numbers 3 . 39 , Numbers 3 . 51 , Numbers 4 . 27 , Numbers 4 . 37 , Numbers 4 . 41 , Numbers 4 . 45 , Numbers 4 . 49 , Genesis 45 . 21 , Deuteronomy 21 . 5

Verse 17

Numbers 26 . 57 , Numbers 26 . 58 , Genesis 46 . 11 , Exodus 6 . 16-19 , Joshua 21 . 1-45 , 1 Chronicles 6 . 1 , 1 Chronicles 6 . 2 , 1 Chronicles 6 . 16-19

Gershon . Numbers 15 . 5-23 , Numbers 23 . 6-23 , Numbers 24 . 1 . Numbers 26 . 65 , Nehemiah 11 . 1 . Nehemiah 12 . 47

Reciprocal . 1 Chronicles 6 . 43 . Gershom

Verse 18

Numbers 3 . 21 , Exodus 6 . 17-19 , 1 Chronicles 6 . 17 , 1 Chronicles 6 . 20 , 1 Chronicles 6 . 21 , 1 Chronicles 23 . 7-11 , 1 Chronicles 25 . 4 , 1 Chronicles 26 . 1-32 , Nehemiah 12 . 1-26

Reciprocal . Numbers 4 . 22 . General

Reciprocal . Numbers 4 . 22 . General Joshua 21 . 6 . General 1 Chronicles 6 . 17 . the sons of Gershom

Verse 22

from a month old . The males of all the other tribes were numbered from twenty years old and upwards; but , had the Levites been numbered in this way , they would not have been nearly equal in number to the first-born of the twelve tribes. Add to this , that as there must have been first-born of all ages in the other tribes , it was necessary that the Levites , who were to be their substitutes , should also be of all ages; and it appears to have been partly on this ground , that the Levites were numbered from a month old and upwards. Numbers 4 . 38-40

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 15 . General Numbers 3 . 39 . and Aaron Numbers 4 . 44 . General Joshua 21 . 6 . General

Verse 23

Numbers 1 . 53 , Numbers 2 . 17

Reciprocal . Numbers 1 . 50 . shall encamp Numbers 3 . 29 . General Numbers 3 . 38 . toward Numbers 8 . 15 . go in

Verse 24

Lael . i.e. unto , by , because of God , [Strong's H3815]. Numbers 3 . 24

Reciprocal . Numbers 4 . 22 . General Numbers 4 . 44 . General

Verse 25

the charge . From this and the next chapter , we see the very severe labour which the Levites were to perform , while the journeyings of the Israelites lasted. When we consider , that there was not less than 14 tons 266 lbs. of metal employed in the tabernacle . see note on Exodus 38 . 24 , besides the immense weight of the skins , hangings , cords , boards , and posts , we shall find it was no easy matter to transport this moveable temple from place to place. The Gershonites , who were 7 ,500 in number had to carry the tent , coverings , vail , hangings of the court , cords , etc. . Numbers 3 . 25 , and Numbers 3 . 26 , the Kohathites , who were 8 ,600 , the ark , table , candlestick , altars , and instruments of the sanctuary . Numbers 3 . 31 , and the Merarites , who were 6 ,200 , the boards , bars , sockets , and all matters connected with these belonging to the tabernacle , with the pillars of the court , their sockets , pins , and cords . Numbers 3 . 36 , and Numbers 3 . 37. Numbers 3 . 7 , Numbers 4 . 24-28 , Numbers 7 . 7 , Numbers 10 . 17 , 1 Chronicles 9 . 14-33 , 1 Chronicles 23 . 32 , 1 Chronicles 26 . 21 , 1 Chronicles 26 . 22 , 2 Chronicles 31 . 2 , 2 Chronicles 31 . 11-18 , Ezra 8 . 28-30 , Mark 13 . 34 , Romans 12 . 6-8 , Colossians 4 . 17 , 1 Timothy 1 . 18

the tabernacle and . Exodus 25 . 9 , Exodus 26 . 1-14, Exodus 36 . 8-19 , Exodus 40 . 19

and the hanging . Exodus 26 . 36 , Exodus 26 . 37 , Exodus 36 . 37 , Exodus 36 . 38 , Exodus 40 . 28

Reciprocal . Exodus 39 . 32 . all the Numbers 4 . 25 . the curtains Numbers 18 . 3 . only they Numbers 31 . 30 . keep the

Verse 26

the hangings . Exodus 27 . 9-16 , Exodus 38 . 9-16

the cords . Exodus 35 . 18

Reciprocal . Exodus 39 . 32 . all the Numbers 3 . 25 . the charge Numbers 4 . 25 . the curtains Numbers 7 . 7 . Two wagons Numbers 10 . 17 . the sons

Verse 27

Numbers 3 . 19 , 1 Chronicles 23 . 12 , 1 Chronicles 26 . 23

Reciprocal . Numbers 4 . 2 . General Numbers 4 . 5 . Aaron shall come Numbers 10 . 21 . the Kohathites Joshua 21 . 5 . General Joshua 21 . 10 . General 1 Chronicles 23 . 13 . The sons 1 Chronicles 24 . 22 . Izharites Ezekiel 40 . 45 . the keepers

Verse 28

eight thousand . Numbers 4 . 35 , Numbers 4 . 36

keeping . Numbers 3 . 7 , Numbers 3 . 31

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 15 . General Numbers 3 . 35 . shall Numbers 3 . 39 . and Aaron Numbers 4 . 44 . General Ezekiel 40 . 45 . the keepers

Verse 29

Numbers 3 . 23 , Numbers 1 . 53 , Numbers 2 . 10

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 35 . shall Numbers 3 . 38 . toward

Verse 30

Reciprocal . Leviticus 10 . 4 . Uzziel Numbers 4 . 4 . General Numbers 4 . 15 . These things

Verse 31

the ark . Numbers 4 . 4-16 , Exodus 25 . 10-40 , Exodus 31 . 1 . Exodus 35 . 29 , Exodus 37 . 1-24 , Exodus 39 . 33-42 , Exodus 40 . 2-16 , Exodus 40 . 30

the altars . Exodus 27 . 1-8 , Exodus 30 . 1-10 , Exodus 37 . 25-29 , Exodus 38 . 1-7

and the hanging . Exodus 26 . 31-33 , Exodus 36 . 35 , Exodus 36 . 36

Reciprocal . Exodus 25 . 23 . a table Exodus 39 . 32 . all the Leviticus 24 . 4 . the pure Numbers 3 . 25 . the charge Numbers 3 . 28 . keeping Numbers 4 . 15 . These things Numbers 7 . 9 . because Numbers 18 . 3 . only they Numbers 31 . 30 . keep the Deuteronomy 10 . 8 . bear

Verse 32

Numbers 4 . 16 , Numbers 4 . 27 , Numbers 20 . 25-28 , 2 Kings 25 . 18 , 1 Chronicles 9 . 14-20 , 1 Chronicles 26 . 20-24

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 7 . keep Numbers 4 . 40 . General Numbers 8 . 26 . to keep Joshua 24 . 33 . Eleazar 1 Chronicles 6 . 50 . Eleazar 1 Chronicles 9 . 20 . Phinehas Ezra 7 . 5 . Eleazar Nehemiah 11 . 11 . the ruler Ezekiel 40 . 45 . the keepers

Verse 33

Numbers 3 . 20 , 1 Chronicles 6 . 19 , 1 Chronicles 23 . 21

Reciprocal . Numbers 4 . 29 . General 1 Chronicles 6 . 29 . Mahli 1 Chronicles 6 . 47 . Mushi

Verse 34

Numbers 1 . 21 , Numbers 2 . 9 , Numbers 2 . 11

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 15 . General Numbers 4 . 44 . General

Verse 35

shall . Numbers 3 . 28 , Numbers 3 . 29 , Numbers 1 . 53

northward . Numbers 2 . 25

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 38 . toward 1 Chronicles 5 . 14 . Abihail

Verse 36

under the custody and charge . Heb. the office of the charge , the boards. Numbers 4 . 29-33 , Numbers 7 . 8 , Exodus 26 . 15-29 , Exodus 26 . 32 , Exodus 26 . 37 , Exodus 27 . 9-19 , Exodus 35 . 11 , Exodus 35 . 18 , Exodus 36 . 20-34 , Exodus 36 . 36 , Exodus 38 . 17-20 , Exodus 39 . 33

Reciprocal . Exodus 26 . 19 . forty sockets of silver Exodus 26 . 26 . bars of shittim wood Exodus 39 . 32 . all the Numbers 3 . 25 . the charge Numbers 4 . 31 . the charge Numbers 10 . 17 . the sons Numbers 18 . 3 . only they Numbers 31 . 30 . keep the

Verse 37

Reciprocal . Exodus 27 . 19 . all the pins thereof Exodus 39 . 32 . all the Numbers 3 . 25 . the charge Numbers 4 . 31 . the charge Numbers 7 . 8 . four wagons Numbers 10 . 17 . the sons

Verse 38

toward . Numbers 3 . 23 , Numbers 3 . 29 , Numbers 3 . 35 , Numbers 1 . 53 , Numbers 2 . 3

keeping . Numbers 3 . 10 , Numbers 18 . 1-5 , 1 Chronicles 6 . 48 , 1 Chronicles 6 . 49

for the charge . Numbers 3 . 7 , Numbers 3 . 8 , Numbers 3 . 10

Reciprocal . Exodus 29 . 33 . a stranger Numbers 1 . 51 . the stranger Numbers 2 . 17 . tabernacle Numbers 4 . 15 . they shall Numbers 16 . 40 . that no Numbers 18 . 7 . the stranger Numbers 18 . 22 . come nigh 1 Chronicles 23 . 32 . the charge of the sons 2 Chronicles 23 . 7 . whosoever Ezekiel 40 . 45 . the keepers

Verse 39

and Aaron . The word ואהרן , weaharon , "and Aaron ," has a point over each of its letters , probably designed as a mark of spuriousness. The word is wanting in the Samaritan , Syriac , and Coptic , and also in eight of Dr. Kennicott's and in four of De Rossi's manuscripts. Moses alone , as Houbigant observes , was commanded to number the Levites (Numbers 3 . 5 , Numbers 3 . 11 , Numbers 3 . 40 , Numbers 3 . 44 , Numbers 3 . 51) for as the money with which the first-born were redeemed was to be paid to Aaron and his sons (Numbers 3 . 48) , it was decent that he , whose advantage it was that the number of the first-born should exceed , should not be authorized to take that number himself. twenty and two thousand. This total does not agree with the particulars; for the Gershonites were 7 ,500 , the Kohathites 8 ,600 , and the Merarites 6 ,200 , which make a total of 22 ,300. Several methods of solving this difficulty have been proposed by learned men. Houbigant supposes there is an error in the enumeration of the Kohathites in Numbers 3 . 28; the numeral shesh , "six ," being written instead of shalosh , "three ," before "hundred." Dr. Kennicott's mode of reconciling the discrepancy , however , is the most simple. He supposes that an error has crept into the number of the Gershonites in Numbers 3 . 22 , where instead of 7 ,500 we should read 7 ,200 , as ך , caph final , which stands for 500 , might have been easily mistaken for ר , resh , 200 (Dr. Kennicott on the Hebrew Text , vol. II. p. 212). Either of these modes will equally reconcile the difference. Numbers 4 . 47 , Numbers 4 . 48 , Numbers 26 . 62 , Matthew 7 . 14

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 15 . General Numbers 3 . 16 . word Numbers 3 . 43 . General Numbers 3 . 46 . which are

Verse 40

Numbers 3 . 12 , Numbers 3 . 15 , Numbers 3 . 45 , Exodus 32 . 26-29 , Psalm 87 . 6 , Isaiah 4 . 3 , Luke 10 . 20 , Philippians 4 . 3 , 2 Timothy 2 . 19 , Hebrews 12 . 23 , Revelation 3 . 5 , Revelation 14 . 4

Reciprocal . Leviticus 27 . 6 . from Numbers 3 . 39 . and Aaron

Verse 41

Numbers 3 . 12 , Numbers 3 . 45 , Numbers 8 . 16 , Numbers 18 . 15 , Exodus 24 . 5 , Exodus 24 . 6 , Exodus 32 . 26-29 , Matthew 20 . 28 , 1 Timothy 2 . 6

Reciprocal . Numbers 16 . 9 . separated

Verse 43

Numbers 3 . 39

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 15 . General

Verse 44

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 39 . and Aaron

Verse 45

Numbers 3 . 12 , Numbers 3 . 40 , Numbers 3 . 41

Reciprocal . Exodus 34 . 20 . All the Numbers 8 . 10 . General Numbers 8 . 14 . and the Levites Numbers 8 . 16 . instead of such Numbers 18 . 6 . I have Malachi 2 . 5 . covenant

Verse 46

redeemed . Numbers 18 . 15 , Exodus 13 . 13

the two hundred . As the number of the Levites was 22 ,000 , and the first-born males of the Israelites were 22 ,273 , there were therefore 372 more of the latter than of the former , which are here ordered to be redeemed. The price of redemption is fixed at five shekels , or about 15s. each , in Numbers 3 . 47. This money , amounting to 1 ,365 shekels , equal to , 15s English , was taken of the first-born. There is some difficulty , however , in determining which of the first-born should be redeemed by paying this sum , and which should be exchanged for the Levites; for every Israelite , no doubt , would rather have his first-born redeemed by a Levite , than pay five shekels; and yet some of them must have incurred this expense. Rabbi Solomon Jarchi says , to prevent contention , Moses took 22 ,000 slips of parchment , and wrote on each a son of Levi , and 273 more , on which he wrote five shekels; then putting them in an urn , and shaking them together , he ordered every one of the first-born to draw out a slip. If he drew out one with the first inscription , he said to him , a Levite hath redeemed thee , but if he drew out one of the latter , he said , pay the price. This is pronounced by Dr. A. Clarke to be a stupid , silly tale; but when we know that the determination by lot was used among the Israelites , it does not seem improbable that it was now resorted to , though we cannot vouch for the accuracy of the detail. This species of redeeming men is referred to by St. Peter in his 1st Epistle 1 Peter 1 . 18 , 1 Peter 1 . 19.

which are . Numbers 3 . 39-43

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 50 . General

Verse 47

five shekels . Numbers 18 . 16 , Leviticus 27 . 6

the shekel . Numbers 3 . 50 , Exodus 30 . 13 , Leviticus 27 . 25 , Ezekiel 45 . 12

Reciprocal . Exodus 30 . 24 . the shekel Exodus 38 . 24 . the shekel Numbers 3 . 46 . the two hundred 1 Chronicles 23 . 24 . by their polls

Verse 48

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 39 . and Aaron Numbers 3 . 51 . Moses

Verse 50

Numbers 3 . 46 , Numbers 3 . 47 , Matthew 20 . 28 , 1 Timothy 2 . 5 , 1 Timothy 2 . 6 , Titus 2 . 14 , Hebrews 9 . 12 , 1 Peter 1 . 18 , 1 Peter 3 . 18

Reciprocal . 1 Chronicles 23 . 29 . for all manner of measure

Verse 51

Moses . Numbers 3 . 48 , Numbers 16 . 15 , 1 Samuel 12 . 3 , 1 Samuel 12 . 4 , Acts 20 . 33 , 1 Corinthians 9 . 12 , 1 Peter 5 . 2

as the Lord . Malachi 4 . 4

Reciprocal . Numbers 3 . 16 . word Numbers 3 . 39 . and Aaron Numbers 4 . 49 . According to the