Chapter 4

2
Num 3:19, Num 3:27


3
thirty years Num 8:24-26; Gen 41:46; 1Chr 23:3, 1Chr 23:24-27, 1Chr 28:12-13; Luke 3:23; 1Tim 3:6

enter 2Kgs 11:4-12; 2Chr 23:1-11; 2Cor 10:3-4; Eph 6:10-18; 1Tim 1:18

to do Num 3:7-8, Num 16:9; 1Chr 6:48, 1Chr 23:4-5, 1Chr 23:28-32; 1Tim 3:1


4
Num 4:15, Num 4:19, Num 4:24, Num 4:30, Num 3:30-31; Mark 13:34


5
And when Num 2:16-17, Num 10:14

Aaron shall come The law prohibiting any person, except the high priest on one day in the year, to enter into the most holy place, must have admitted an exception while the Israelites were in the wilderness. That exception, therefore, is here expressly made; and the directions given respecting it must be religiously observed, or the service could not be safely performed. While the cloud rested on the tabernacle, the general rule was in force; but when it was removed, then the priests might enter to prepare the sacred vessels for removal. Num 4:15, Num 3:27-32

they shall Exod 26:31-33, Exod 36:35, Exod 40:3; Isa 25:7; Matt 27:51; Heb 9:3, Heb 10:20

and cover Exod 25:10-22, Exod 37:1-9; 2Sam 6:2-9


6
badgers' skins This was not the covering of badgers' skins made for the tabernacle, which was carried by the Gershonites (Num 4:24 and Num 4:25), but one made for the purpose of concealing and sheltering the ark when it was to be carried.

a cloth Num 4:7-8, Num 4:11-13; Exod 35:19, Exod 39:1, Exod 39:41

and shall put Wesamoo baddaiv, rather, "and adjust the staves thereof;" i.e., dispose them rightly under the covering, that they might be laid on their shoulders. For the staves were never taken out of the rings.

the staves Exod 25:13-15; 1Kgs 8:7-8


7
the table Exod 25:23-30, Exod 37:10-16; Lev 24:5-8

cover withal or, pour out withal

the continual The Israelites, without doubt, were able to procure corn enough from the adjacent countries, even when in the wilderness, to make the shewbread, and to present the daily meat offerings.


8
Num 4:6-7, Num 4:9, Num 4:11-13


9
Exod 25:31-39, Exod 37:17-24; Ps 119:105; Rev 1:20, Rev 2:1


10
Num 4:6, Num 4:12


11
Exod 30:1-19, Exod 37:25-28, Exod 39:38, Exod 40:5, Exod 40:26-27


12
Num 4:7, Num 4:9, Num 3:8; Exod 25:9, Exod 31:10; 2Kgs 25:14-15; 1Chr 9:29; 2Chr 4:11, 2Chr 4:16, 2Chr 4:19, 2Chr 4:22


13
The embers of the sacred fire seem to have been removed in the grate, which was carried apart from the brazen altar; both being covered from view by purple cloths.

Num 4:6-9, Num 4:11-12; Exod 27:3-5, Exod 39:1, Exod 39:41; Lev 6:12-13


14
all the vessels thereof Exod 38:1-7; 2Chr 4:19

basins or, bowls


15
after that Num 7:9, Num 10:21; Deut 31:9; Josh 4:10; 2Sam 6:13; 1Chr 15:2, 1Chr 15:15

they shall Num 3:38; Exod 19:12; 1Sam 6:19; 2Sam 6:6-7; 1Chr 13:9-10; Heb 12:18-29

These things Num 3:30-31


16
the office Eleazar himself, perhaps with the other priests, was required to carry the oil for the light, the incense, and the flour for the daily meat offering, and the holy ointment; besides superintending the Levites. It may be supposed, that he himself carried no more of the oil than for present use (see note on Num 4:9). Num 3:32

the oil Exod 25:6, Exod 27:20-21; Lev 24:2

the sweet Exod 30:34-38, Exod 37:29

the daily Exod 29:39-41

the anointing Exod 30:23-33

the oversight Luke 4:18; Acts 20:28; 1Cor 4:1; 1Tim 2:5; Heb 3:1, Heb 3:6; 1Pet 2:25, 1Pet 5:2


18
Eleazar and the priests would be chargeable with the death of the Kohathites, if they failed to give them proper cautions and directions; or permitted them to gaze with irreverence or curiosity upon the holy things, which they might carry, but not see (Num 4:20).

Num 16:32, Num 17:10, Num 18:5; Exod 19:21; Lev 10:1-2; 1Sam 6:19; 2Sam 6:6-7; Jer 38:23


19
the most holy Num 4:4


20
they shall Num 4:15, Num 4:19; Exod 19:21; Lev 10:2; 1Sam 6:19; Heb 10:19-20; Rev 11:19

the holy things Hakkodesh, "the holy," or "sanctuary," i.e., the ark, as the Jews generally understand it; and with good reason, as any one may be convinced, who compares 1Kgs 8:8 with 2Chr 5:9, where that which is called the holy in the former, is called the ark in the latter.


22
Num 3:18, Num 3:21, Num 3:24


23
thirty years Num 4:3

to perform the service Heb. to war the warfare, Num 4:3; Isa 63:1-4; Rom 7:14-24; 1Cor 9:7; 2Cor 6:7, 2Cor 10:3-5; Eph 6:10-19; Gal 5:17, Gal 5:24; 1Tim 1:18; 2Tim 2:3-4, 2Tim 4:7


24
burdens or, carriage, Num 4:15, Num 4:19, Num 4:27, Num 4:31-32, Num 4:47, Num 4:49


25
the curtains Num 3:25-26, Num 7:5-7

the covering Exod 26:14


26
the hangings Exod 27:9

and their cords Exod 35:18


27
appointment Heb. mouth, The Levites were under the command of the priests. Eleazar exercised this authority in general, as next in succession to Aaron, and he in particular was placed over the Kohathites; while Ithamar, his younger brother, commanded the Gershonites and Merarites (Num 4:33). Luke 1:70; 1Cor 11:2


28
Num 4:33; 1Cor 12:5-6


29
Num 3:33-35


30
service Heb. warfare, Num 4:3, Num 4:23; Ps 110:1-7; 1Tim 6:11-12; 2Tim 2:4, 2Tim 4:7-8


31
the charge Num 3:36-37, Num 7:8-9

the boards Exod 26:15


32
and by name An inventory was taken of every particular, even to the very pins belonging to each part, that nothing might be wanting when the tabernacle was set up.

the instruments Num 3:8, Num 7:1; Exod 25:9, Exod 38:17, Exod 38:21; 1Chr 9:29


33
under the hand Num 4:28; Josh 3:6; Isa 3:6


34
Num 4:2


35
Num 4:3, Num 4:23, Num 4:30, Num 4:39, Num 4:43, Num 4:47, Num 8:24-26; 1Chr 23:3, 1Chr 23:24, 1Chr 23:26-27, 1Chr 28:13; Luke 3:23; 1Tim 3:6


36
In the third chapter we have an account of the whole number of the Levites; and here of those only who were able to serve the Lord in the sanctuary. By comparing the two places, we find the number of the effective and ineffective males. Thus we find that the whole number of the Levites amounted to 22,300; of whom 8,580 were fit for service and 13,720 unfit, being either too old or too young. What an astonishing number of men, all performing some service by which God was glorified, and the congregation at large benefited!


40
Num 3:32


41
Num 4:22


44
The family of Merari, though smaller than either of the other families of Levi, yet had a greater number of able men than any of them; for out of 6,200 males of a month old and upwards, we find 3,200 who were neither too young nor too old for the service of the sanctuary; which was more than one-half of their whole number. In this the wisdom and providence of God appear most conspicuously; for the Merarites were charged with the heaviest part of the sanctuary, as the boards, bars, sockets, etc; and though waggons were afterwards provided for them, yet the loading and unloading of the sockets, and other things of great weight, would require much strength, both bodily and numerical. (Compare Num 4:36 and Num 4:40, with Num 3:22, Num 3:28, Num 3:24.) Thus God ever manifests his wisdom, in fitting men for the work to which they are appointed, whether with respect to number or gifts: "For to one is given, by the Spirit, the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge, by the same Spirit; to another faith, by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing, by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues, but all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

Num 3:34; Deut 33:25; 1Cor 10:13, 1Cor 12:8-12; 2Cor 12:9-10


45
Num 4:29


47
From thirty Num 4:3, Num 4:23, Num 4:30; 1Chr 23:3, 1Chr 23:27

every one Num 4:15, Num 4:24, Num 4:37; Rom 12:6-8; 1Cor 12:4-31


48
Num 3:39; Matt 7:14, Matt 20:16, Matt 22:15


49
According to the Num 4:37, Num 4:41, Num 4:45, Num 1:54, Num 2:33, Num 3:51

every one Num 4:15, Num 4:24, Num 4:31; Isa 11:2-4, Isa 42:1-7, Isa 49:1-8; Rom 12:4-8

as the Lord Num 4:1, Num 4:21


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