Numbers 8

Numbers 8:2

OƲer against] On every side of the bulke, or shaft of the candlestick; there was no window in the Tabernacle, therefore there was need of artificiall lights.

Numbers 8:4

beaten worke] Beaten out of one piece, and not made up of divers pieces; Of this candlestick, see Exodus 25:31. & Chap. 37. 17.

Numbers 8:6

cleanse them] All the nation was to be holy, Exod. 19. vers. 6. but especially they who were to make so neere approach unto him, as the Levites, Levit. 10, 3.

Numbers 8:7

water of purifying] In Hebrew it is called the water of sinne, because it is made to purge from sinnes; it was mixt with the ashes of a red Cow, Chap. 19. 9.

Numbers 8:10

the children] Meaning some of the chiefe among them, in the name of the whole.

their hands] The imposition of hands was used in benedictions, and ordinations, not onely in the Old Testament, as Genesis 48. vers. 17. 20. Numbers 27:23. but in the New: See Acts 6:6. & Chap. 13. 3. 1 Timothy 4:14. 2 Timothy 1:6. The peoples putting their hands upon the Levites, was partly to testifie that they gave up all carnall and worldly respects and interests in them, and bequeathed them wholly to God, and that they did approve of their office in behalfe of themselves in whose stead they stood in the performance of many of their ministrations.

Numbers 8:12

thou shalt offer] By Aaron the High-priest, who was to offer the Levites, vers. 11. or it might be Moses himselfe, who might therefore be numbred among the Priests, Psalms 99:6.

Numbers 8:15

go in, to doe] The service of the Levites in the Tabernacle, strictly and properly taken, was but to take, and carry the things of the Tabernacle; but here the Tabernacle is taken more largely, not onely for the curious worke, which was carried from place to place, but for the outward Court, where stood the Altar of burnt-offering; where the Levites were to be serviceably assistant to the Priests in their office; but otherwise into the Sanctuary came onely the Priests to minister, and not the Levites.

Numbers 8:19

the service of] Which service the Israelites should doe themselves, if the Levites did it not for them.

Sanctuary] Because the Levites goe into the Sanctuary in their name, as well as in their owne.

Numbers 8:21

offered] Heb. lifted them up. The word is the same which is used of lifting up of oblations, Exodus 29:28. and it may be the ceremonie was the same; at least the Levites were set up in eminent view, that all might see them when they entered upon their function, which it may be they did not all at once, at the first consecration of them, but so many as the service of the Tabernacle for the present required.

Numbers 8:24

twenty and five] At that time they were entered into the Tabernacle, to be trained up, both by institution, and example; and at thirty yeares of age, they were to officiate and undertake the execution of their charge.

Numbers 8:25

cease] From such services as were toylesome, and required much strength of body to undergoe them.

Numbers 8:26

But shall minister] In singing Psalmes, instructing, counselling, and keeping things in order; for such offices they might doe so much the better, as yeares and experience made them the wiser.