Numbers 4

Chap. IV. Ver. 1-49. Arrangements to carry the holy things.—The people were numbered for war from twenty years of age; but the Levites were not numbered for the service of the sanctuary till thirty. This, however, had special reference to the charge and burden of removing the tabernacle: for they entered as probationers at twenty-five; and in David’s time, when the work was more extensive, but not so heavy, they were admitted at twenty years old.—Jesus Christ deferred entering on his public work till he was thirty years of age: John the Baptist seems to have begun his ministry rather earlier in life.—The Levites also had an honourable discharge from the most laborious parts of their employment, after twenty years service, though they were still to be occupied in one way or other.—These laws are not binding in the letter of them upon the ministers of the gospel; but they may afford them much useful practical instruction.

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 of an exception, while the Israelites were continually removing in the wilderness: that exception therefore was expressly made; and the directions given relating to 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 did enter to prepare the sacred vessels for removal. _ These coverings were intended not so much for security and decent respect, as for concealment; and they marked not only the reverence due to holy things, but the mysteriousness of the things signified by those types, and the darkness of that dispensation.—Some suppose that the cloth of blue represented the azure firmament, which interposes between us and the majesty of heaven.—The covering of badgers’ skins, made for the tabernacle, was carried by the Gershonites; (ver. 24, 25.) but this was one made to conceal and shelter the ark, when it was to be carried.— T. Scott.

Notes on the verses

Chap. IV. Ver. 5. Aaron and his sons…. shall? Ascilnas biegd ie 2 sacred utensils of the tabernacle Sf yt Septet not merely to preserve them from injury, but also from the public gaze, which always begets irreverence. Every thing under the law was veiled also, as signifying that it was typical and mysterious. See (2 Corinthians 3:13-14).; - Ver. 6. Badgers’ skins.—{This was not the covering of badgers’ skins made for the tabernacle, which was carried by the Gershonites, (ver. 24, 25.) but one made for the purpose of concealing and sheltering when it was to be carried. |— Bagster. 7 “Sc ggshe apraplegin Ver. 13. Ashes, &c.—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.

]}—Bagster. Ver. 16. Office of Eleazar.—\Eleazar himself, perhaps, with the other priests, was anointed with 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 ver. 9.)—Bagster. | E Ver. 18. Cut ye not off—{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. _\ er. 20.]—Bagster. Ver. 23. To do the service.—Hebrew, “To war the warfare.”

So the Christian’s life, and especially the Christian minister’s, is compared to a warfare by St. Paul, (1 Timothy 1:18). is Ver. 27. Appointment, &c.—{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. Ver. 33.]—B, CS SS Ver. 36. Those that were numbered.—{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 effective and ineffective males to stand thus: GERSHONITES.

MERARITES. 2750 | Effective men 2630 | Effective men Effective men 5850 | Ineffective 4870 | Ineffective 8600 Total 7500 Total 6200 whole number of the Levites amounted to 22,300, of Thus we find that the service, and 13,720 unfit, being either too old or too young. What an astonishing number of men, all ecclesiastics! all performing some service by which God was glorified and benefited!|—Bagster. the camp every leper, &c.—According to the