Numbers 4

God commands the numbering of the Levites, such as were fit for the service of the Tabernacle, with a further instruction touching their charges, and first of the Kohathites, vers. 1. & c. then of the Gersonites, 22. And lastly of the Merarites, 29. Also the number of each party is rehearsed in particular, as of the Kohathites, 34. Of the Gersonites, 38. Of the Merarites, 42. And of all in general, 46.

1. And the LORD spoke to Moseh and to Aaron, saying;

2. Take up the sum [Heb. the head, see above chapter 1. On verse 2.] of the sons of Kohath, out of the midst of the sons of Levi; by their Families, according to the house of their Fathers.

3. From thirty year old, [Heb. from a son of thirty year, and so in the sequel, see above chapter 3. On verse 15.] and upwards, until fifty years old; all (or, every one) that comes into this warfare [or host or army, and so below vers. 30. And 43. Understand a holy and Ecclesiastical warfare, in which the service of the Tabernacle was to be exactly observed according to the orders once instituted; even as the Soldiers in military affairs, each one instituted; even as the Soldiers in military affairs, each one must discharged his duty and service, according to his orders and commands. Thus the Ministry of the Church is called a War or Warfare, Combat, here and below verse 23, 30, 35. And chapter 8. 24. Because that the Ministers thereof are bound to keep good orders, and incessantly to work and watch, and fight against the enemies of men’s salvation, see 1 Cor. 9. 7. And 2 Cor. 10. 3. 1 Tim. 1. 18. 2 Tim. 2. 3, 4.] For to do the work in the Tent of the Congregation.

4. This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath, in the Tent of the Congregation (to wit) the holinesses. [Understand hereby the Ark of the Covenant, the Table for the Show-bread, the Candlestick, the Incense-altar, the Vessels and the furniture of the Sanctuary, and the Altar of burnt-offerings; of which thing somewhat was said before, chapter 3. V. 31. But now a fuller declaration is made, and all these things were to be carried by the Kohathites in their removing, see below verse 15.

5. In the marching of the Camp, Aaron and his sons shall come, and take off the Vail of the Cover, [See Exod. 26, 31, 32, 33. And Lev. 4. On vers. 6. And Hebrews 9:3. Where it is called the second Vail] and therewith they shall cover the Ark of the Testimony.

6. And thereupon they shall lay a Cover of Badgers-skins, [Of these, see Exodus 25:5.] And spread a whole suite of sky-colour abroad upon it, and they shall put on the hand-bars thereof. [i.e. so fit and accommodate them unto the same, that it might conveniently be born up and carried thereby; for otherwise the said hand-bars were always to remain in the rings of the Ark, Exodus 25:15. Comp. 1 King 8. 8.]

7. They shall likewise spread a sky-colour suite abroad upon the show Table, [Heb. Table of the faces, to wit, of the bread of the faces, otherwise called the Show-bread (Loaves) which lay upon this Table, and were called thus, because they were always laid upon the Table before the face of the LORD for show as it were; and thence is the name here of the Show-Table] and shall set there-upon the dishes (wherein the Show-bread-loaves were laid, of these, see Exodus 25:29.) And remained there all the week, until new ones were made and laid in their stead, Leviticus 24:8.] and the incense-plates [which were placed above upon the Show-bread with incense, Leviticus 24:7.] and the Cruises [wherewith they sprinkled and poured forth liquors: Otherwise besoms, wherewith the Table was made and kept clean] and the covering plates, [Hebr. Plates of covering, wherewith the Show-bread was covered, of these there were twelve, according to the number of the Show-bread (loaves) see Exodus 25:29. Otherwise, the dishes of sprinkling] also the continual Bread shall upon it. [i.e. the twelve Show-bread (loaves or Cakes) which were to be renewed every Sabbath, Leviticus 24:8.]

8. Then they shall spread a scarlet suite over it, and shall cover the same with a cover of Badgers-skins, and they shall put on the hand-bars thereof.

9. Then shall they take a suite of sky-colour, and cover the Candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his snuffers, and his extinguishers, and all his oil-vessels wherewith they serve the same, [viz. the candlestick. See of furniture for the candlestick and the lamps thereof, Exodus 25:38. And 35. 14.]

10. They shall likewise put the same, and all his furniture into a Cover of Badgers-skins, and shall lay him upon the Bear. [Understand an Ensign of staves, where something might be hung to be transported from one place to another, compare below verse 12. And chapter 13. 24. Otherwise planks, or bearing, supporting boards.]

11. And over the golden Altar [Understand the Incense Altar, which stood in the holy place, and was overlaid with gold. See Exod. 30. Verse 3. 4.] they shall spread forth a suite of sky-colour, and shall cover the same with a cover of Badgers-skins, and they shall put on the hand-bars thereof.

12. They shall likewise take all the furniture of the service, [Understand hereby all the holy Vestments, wherein the Priests were to officiate; whereof see Exodus 31:10. And 35. 19. Vers. 41. Where they are likewise comprehend all manner of Vessels, and Utensils of the Tabernacle, whereof see Exodus 25:29. And 27. 3. 2 King 25. 14. 15.] wherewith they serve in the Sanctuary, and shall lay them in a suite of sky-color, and shall cover them with a cover of Badgers-skins, and shall put them upon the Bear.

13. And they shall scour off the ashes from the Altar, [viz. of the Burnt-offerings] and they shall spread over it a suite of purple.

14. And they shall lay upon it all his furniture, [Whereof see Exod. 27. Vers. 3. Etc] wherewith they serve at it, the chasing-dishes, the flesh-books, and the shovels, and the sprinkling basons, all the furniture of the Altar: and they shall spread forth over it a Cover of Badgers-skins, and shall put on his hand-bars.

15. Now when Aaron and his sons shall have accomplished the covering of the Sanctuary, in the marching of the Camp, then shall the sons of Kohath come after that, [In aftertimes the Priests likewise themselves being multiplied, did carry these things, see Deuteronomy 31:9. Joshua 3:6. And 8. 33. 1 Samuel 4:4. 1 Chronicles 15:11, 12. Though it seemeth the Levites were not altogether excluded, 2 Chron. 5. 5.] for to carry, [viz. upon their own shoulders, see below chapter 7. 9. And not upon Wagons, which order the Israelites observed not, 2 Sam. 6. 6, 7. 1 Chronicles 13:7. And chapter 15. Ver. 12, 13, 14, 15.] but they shall not touch that holy (thing) [see below verse 20] that they die not; see 1 Samuel 6:19. What punishment lighted upon the Bethshemites, for having seen the Ark of the LORD, and 2 Sam. 6. 6, 7. What befell Uzza, for touching of it] this is the charge of the sons of Kohath [i.e. that which they are to take care of for to carry] in the Tent of the Congregation.

16. The inspection now of Eleazar the son of Aaron the Priest, shall be over the oil of the Candlestick, and the incense of the fragrant spices, and the continual meat-offering [Which was offered every morning and evening, See hereof Exodus 29:38, 39.] and the anointing oil, the inspection of all the Tabernacle, and all that is in it, on the Sanctuary, and on his furniture.

17. And the Lord spoke to Moseh, and to Aaron, saying;

18. Ye shall not suffer the Tribe of the families of the Kohathites to be destroyed out of the midst of the Levites. [viz. by my righteous judgement, when as by your heedlessness or carelessness, ye should cause the holy things to be uncovered in the sight of the Kohathites, who seeing them, and laying hold on them, or onely touching them, might come to die for it by the hand of the LORD.]

19. But this ye shall do to them, that they may live and not die, when they shall draw near to the holiness of the holinesses; Aaron and his sons shall come and place them every one [Hebr. Man, man, and so below verse 49. See Lev. 15. On verse 2.] ever his service and on his charge . [viz. appointing and ordering every one of them what he should bear.]

20. Yet they shall not come in for to see, when they wrap in the Sanctuary, that they die not: [viz. in such a manner, as happened unto the two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu upon another trespass, Leviticus 1:10. And yet upon another unto Korah and his company, below chapter 16. Verse 32. 33. Etc.]

21. And the LORD spoke to Moseh, saying;

22. Take up likewise the sum of the sons of Gerson, according to the house of their Fathers by their Families.

23. Thou shalt number them from thirty year old [Heb. from a son of thirty year; and so in the sequel. See likewise of this numbering above, chapter 3. On verse 15.] and upwards, until fifty year old; all (or, every one) that comes in to fight the combat, [See above the Annot. On vers. 3. Otherwise for to gather (or) assemble in the host, comp. Exodus 38:8.] to administer the service in the Tent of the Congregation.

24. This shall be the service of the Families of the Gersonites, in the serving and in the charge. [See above on verse 15.]

25. They then shall carry the Curtains of the Tabernacle, and the Tent of the Congregation, [Understand the Curtains made of Goats-hair, and covering all the Tent; for as for the Planks and Pillars, etc. them the Merarites were to carry, below vers. 31.] (to wit) her cover, and the Badgers cover [Hebr. The cover of the Badger, i.e. of the Badgers skins] which is above upon it, and the cover of the door of the tent of the Congregation. [understand the Tapestry or Hangings, which hung at the door of the Tabernacle between the Court and the holy place.]

26. And the hangings of the Court, and the Cover of the door of the Gate of the Court, which is by the Tabernacle and by the Altar round about, and their Coards, and all the furniture of their service, together with all that is prepared for the same to serve.

27. The whole service of the sons of the Gersonites in all their charge, and in all their service, shall be according to the command [Heb. mouth see Gen. chapter 41. On vers. 40. And so here below, verse 37. 41, 45, 49.] of Aaron and his sons, and ye shall command them all their charge for observation.

28. That is the service of the Families of the sons of the Gersonites in the Tent of the Congregation, and their Guard [i.e. their charge and office which they must be very regardful of, that they may execute the same faithfully in all the parts and circumstances thereof] under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the Priest. [i.e. under his inspection and direction, it belonging to his care, to look to it, that every one faithfully discharged his office, so also below, verse 33. Item chapter 31. 49. Item Leviticus 8:36.]

29. As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them by their Families, and according to the house of their Fathers.

30. Thou shalt tell them from thirty year old and upwards until fifty year old, all that comes in to this Warfare (or Combat) [See above on verse 3.] for to administer the service of the Tent of the Congregation.

31. This now shall be the observation of their charge, according to all their service in the Tent of the Congregation; the Planks of the Tabernacle, and his Bars, and his Pillars, and his Feet. [viz. whereon the Pillar stood, whereof there were made an hundred in number, each one of a Talent of silver, see Exodus 38:27.]

32. Together with the Pillars of the Court round about, and their Feet, and their Pins, and their Coards, [Understand the Coards of the Pillars of the Court; as the Gersonites carried the Coards and Wapes of the hangings of the Court, and of the covering of the door of the gate of the Court, see above vers. 26. And chapter 3. Verse 26.] with all their furniture, and with all their service, and the furniture of the observation of their charge thou shalt tell by name. [i.e. thou shalt count and deliver them piece by piece into their hands, keeping a register of it, that nothing may be lost.]

33. That is the service of the Families of the Sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the Tent of the Congregation, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the Priest.

34. Moseh then and Aaron, and the chief of the Congregation, numbered the sons of the Kohathites; by their Families, and according to the house of their Fathers.

35. From thirty year old and upwards, until fifty year old, all (or, every one) that came into this warfare, for the service in the Tent of the Congregation.

36. Their numbered (ones) now were, by their families, two thousand seven hundred and fifty.

37. These are the numbered of the Families of the Kohathites, of all that served in the Tent of the Congregation whom Moseh and Aaron numbered, according to the LORD’s command, by the hand of Moseh. [See above on verse 28. And so in the sequel.]

38. As likewise the numbered of the Sons of Gerson, by their Families and according to the house of their Fathers.

39. From thirty year old and upward, until fifty year old, all that came into this warfare, for the service in the Tent of the Congregation.

40. Their numbered (ones) by their Families, according to the house of their Fathers were two thousand six hundred and thirty.

41. These are the numbered of the Families of the sons of Gerson, of all that served in the Tent of the Congregation, whom Moseh and Aaron numbered according to the LORD’s command.

42. And the numbered of the Families of the sons of Merari, by their families according to the house of their Fathers.

43. From thirty year old and upwards, until fifty year old: all that came into this warfare, for the service in the Tent of the congregation.

44. Their numbered now were by their families three thousand two hundred. [This verse being compared with foregoing thirty six and forty, it appeareth that among the Levites, which were the fewest in their general account or total number, see above chapter 3. On verse 39. Which happened thus by the all-wise providence of God; the Merarits having the heaviest burden to carry, required more and stronger middle-aged men then the Kohathites and Gersonites, compare above chapter 3. On verse 36.]

45. These are the numbered of the Families of the sons of Merari whom Moseh and Aaron numbered at God’s command, by the hand of Moseh.

46. All the numbered, whom Moseh and Aaron, and the chief of Israel numbered of the Levites, by their Families, and according to the house of their Fathers.

47. From thirty year old and upwards , till fifty year old, all that came in for to serve the service of the Administration, and the service of the charge, in the Tent of the Congregation [i.e. for to serve and assist the Priests, who administered the service of the Tabernacle: for the common Levites were only to be sub servant unto the Priests in their office.]

48. Their numbered were, eight thousand and five hundred and eighty.

49. They numbered them (or they were numbered) according to the LORD’s command by the hand of Moseh, every one according to his service, and according to his charge; and his numbered (ones) were those whom the LORD had commanded Moseh. [or as the LORD. Etc]