Numbers 1
DOYLYNumbers 1:2
- — by his own standard.] By the standard or banner of that tribe to which he shall be attached by the following order. Bp. Patrick.
— with the ensign of their father’s house:] All the twelve tribes were distinguished by particular standards; and each standard is supposed by some to have been of the colour of that stone in Aaron’s breastplate, on which the name of the particular tribe was written. Stackhouse. The Jews have a tradition that the ensign, carried in the standard of Judah, was a lion; in that of Reuben, a man; in that of Ephraim, an ox; and in that of Dan, an eagle. St. John seems to allude to this in Rev. iv. 7. Dr. Wells. Probably the name of Judah, was embroidered in great letters on his standard; of Reuben, on his; and so on. Or they were distinguished by their colours only, as our regiments now are. Bp. Patrick.
Numbers 1:3
- — throughout their armies:] That is, all the several
Numbers 1:27
- — the tribe of Judah.] It appears that Jacob’s prophecy concerning the power and strength of this tribe, Gen. xlix. 8, &c. began already to be fulfilled; they being far more numerous than any other: agreeably to the same prophecy, the tribe of Ephraim was already more fruitful than that of Manasseh. Bp. Patrick. U 2 The Levites’ office and charge. The order of the tribes.
the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Numbers 1:48
- For the Lord had spoken unto Moses, &c.] It was by the special commandment of God, that Moses did not number the Levites at this time; because they were intended for another service, and were therefore to be numbered by themselves. In the same manner all nations have exempted their ministers of religion from other services, particularly from war. Strabo notes this custom to have been as old as Homer’s time; and Cesar observes that the ancient Druids were exempt from war and tribute. Bp. Patrick.
Numbers 1:50
- — over the tabernacle—and over all the vessels thereof.] Not to officiate in the tabernacle, or use any of its vessels in any sacred ministry, for this belonged to the priests alone; but to carry it, chap. iv, and to minister unto it, see chap. iii, and to encamp round it as a special guard. For this reason they did not march under the standard of any other tribe, because they formed a camp by themselves; nor did they go to the wars with the others, because they were to attend on the tabernacle of God. Dr. Wells, Bp. Patrick.
Numbers 1:51
- — and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.] Any Israelite whatsoever, being not of the tribe of Levi, if he offer to meddle with the ark, shall surely die; either by the immediate hand of God, or by the hand of human justice and authority. Bp. Hall. As a presumptuous intruder into sacred offices. Pyle.
Chap. II. ver. 1. And the Lord spake unto Moses]
The tribes being mustered, registered, and formed into companies, the next orders given were about the form of their encampments and of their marches. Their general camp was to be in the form of a square; of which the four sides were to be placed towards the four quarters of the compass. Each side was to consist of three tribes, nearest related to each other: that they were to pitch at such a distance, from the tabernacle, which was in the midst of all, as might show their reverence for it, at the same time that the whole camp might serve for its protection. Pyle.