Numbers 2

Numbers 2:6

6. Bring the tribe of Levi near,] They had consecrated themselves to God by a noble act, mentioned Exod. xxxii. 29, which procured them this blessing of being presented to God, and solemnly consecrated to His service. Bp. Patrick.

— that they may minister unto him.] The work and office of the Levites were as follows: 1. To minister to the priests, as appears from this verse, and from

nacle, 11 instead of the firstborn. 14 The Levites are numbered by their families. 21 The families, number, and charge of the Gershomites, 27 of the Kohathites, 33 of the Merarites. 38 The place and charge of Moses and Aaron. 40 The firstborn are freed by the Levites. 44 The overplus are redeemed.

THESE also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai.

Numbers 2:7

7.—they shall keep his charge,] They shall do that service, which Aaron, as from the Lord, shall appoint to them. Bp. Hall.

— before the tabernacle of the congregation,] Not officiating in it, for that belonged to the priests; but assisting the priests in their service before it, or about the external part of it. Bp. Patrick.

Numbers 2:9

9. — These shall first set forth.] Or march in the front, whenever a movement was made, as the van-guard. Pyle, Dr. Wells. They were the greatest of the four bodies; and were placed before the oracle, as the strongest guard. Bp. Patrick.

Numbers 2:17

17. Then the tabernacle of the congregation &c.] The

tabernacle, not entirely, but the sanctuary rather, was to follow, in the midst of the army; see chap. x. 17; having the camps of Judah and Reuben before it, and the camps of Ephraim and Dan behind, for the greater security of so holy a thing. So that they did not march, as they encamped: in the latter case, there was a camp on each side of the tabernacle; but when they marched there were two before, and two behind. Pyle, Bp. Patrick,

The order of the tribes. The sons of Aaron. captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran.

Numbers 2:31

31.—They shall go hindmost] They were the most numerous body after that under the standard of Judah: and were therefore appointed to bring up the rear, as the former led the van, for the greater security of the sanctuary. Bp. Patrick, Pyle.

Chap. III. ver. 1. These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses &c.] This that follows is an account of the genealogy of Aaron, and Moses, and the other Levites. Dr. Wells. He puts Aaron first, because he was the elder brother, and his posterity were advanced to the dignity of priests; whereas the descendants of Moses were only ministers to the priests, as were the other Levites. The posterity of Moses are reckoned among the Kohathites, ver. 27. Bps. Patrick and Kidder.