Numbers 4:2 Komentář

In the former chapter an account was taken of the whole tribe of Levi, in this we have an account of those of that tribe who were in the prime of their time for service, betwixt thirty and fifty years old. I. The serviceable men of the Kohathites are ordered to be numbered, and their charges are given them (v. 2-20). II. Of the Gershonites (Num 4:24-28). III. Of the Merarites (Num 4:29-33). IV. The numbers of each, and the sum total at last, are recorded (Num 4:34, etc.).

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 4 This chapter relates an order to number the Levites fit for business, and gives an account of the time and age when they should enter into service, and how long they should continue therein, Num 4:1; what their particular service should be; and first of the Kohathites, Num 4:4; next of the Gershonites, Num 4:21; and then of the Merarites, Num 4:29; after which Moses and Aaron, with the chief of the congregation, numbered each of them, even as many as were at the age fit for service, as the Kohathites, Num 4:34; the Gershonites, Num 4:38; the Merarites, Num 4:42; the sum total of which is given, Num 4:46.

Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi,.... They were to begin with them first, and number them: after their families, by the house of their fathers; as many as were of the age after mentioned; and the reason why they began with Kohath, and not Gershon, the eldest son, as in the former numbering, was; not as Aben Ezra suggests, because of Moses and Aaron, who sprung from him, for that, if it had any strength in it, would have held good before; but rather, as Chaskuni and others, because the Kohathites carried the ark and other holy things; though the true reason seems to be, because of the order observed in taking down the tabernacle, and removing the parts of it, and the things in it; and it was most proper and reasonable, when they were about to take it down, first to take out the ark, table, &c. which was the business of the Kohathites to carry; next to take down the curtains, coverings, and hangings for the tabernacle and court, and the doors thereof, which were the charge of the Merarites; wherefore, in this order the sum out of each of them fit for business were ordered to be numbered.

Exhortations to obedience, Deu 4:1. Nothing to be added to or taken from the testimonies of God, Deu 4:2. The people are exhorted to recollect how God had destroyed the ungodly among them, Deu 4:3; and preserved those who were faithful, Deu 4:4. The excellence of the Divine law, Deu 4:5, Deu 4:6. No nation in the world could boast of any such statutes, judgments, etc., Deu 4:7, Deu 4:8. They are exhorted to obedience by the wonderful manifestations of God in their behalf, Deu 4:9-13. Moses exhorts them to beware of idolatry, and to make no likeness of any thing in heaven or earth as an object of adoration, Deu 4:14-20. He informs them that he must die in that land as God had refused to let him go into the promised land, being angry with him on their account, Deu 4:21, Deu 4:22. Repeats his exhortation to obedience, Deu 4:23, Deu 4:24. Predicts the judgments of God against them, should they turn to idolatry, Deu 4:25-28. Promises of God's mercy to the penitent, Deu 4:29-31. The grand and unparalleled privileges of the Israelites, Deu 4:32-40. Moses severs three cities on the east side of Jordan for cities of refuge, Deu 4:41, Deu 4:42. Their names, Deu 4:43. When and where Moses gave these statutes and judgments to Israel, Deu 4:44-49.

OF THE LEVITES' SERVICE. (Num. 4:1-49) sons of Kohath, from thirty years old and upward--This age was specifically fixed (see on Num 8:24) as the full maturity of bodily energy to perform the laborious duties assigned them in the wilderness, as well as of mental activity to assist in the management of the sacred services. And it was the period of life at which John the Baptist and Christ entered on their respective ministries. even unto fifty--The term prescribed for active duty was a period of twenty years, at the end of which they were exempted from the physical labors of the office, though still expected to attend in the tabernacle (Num 8:26). all that enter into the host--so called from their number, the order and discipline maintained through their ranks, and their special duty as guards of the tabernacle. The Hebrew word, however, signifies also a station or office; and hence the passage may be rendered, "All that enter into the sacerdotal office" (Num 4:23).

Rules of Service, and Numbering of the Levites Qualified for Service. - After the adoption of the Levites for service at the sanctuary, in the place of the first-born of Israel, Moses and Aaron mustered the three families of the Levites by the command of God for the service to be performed by those who were between the ages of 30 and 50. The particulars of the service are first of all described in detail (vv. 4-33); and then the men in each family are taken, of the specified age for service (vv. 34-49). The three families are not arranged according to the relative ages of their founders, but according to the importance or sacredness of their service. The Kohathites take the lead, because the holiest parts of the tabernacle were to be carried and kept by this family, which included the priests, Aaron and his sons. The service to be performed by each of the three Levitical families is introduced in every case by a command from God to take the sum of the men from 30 years old to 50 (see Num 4:1-3, Num 4:21-23, Num 4:29 and Num 4:30).

Service of the Kohathites, and the number qualified for service. - Num 4:2, Num 4:3. "Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi:" i.e., by raising them out of the sum total of the Levites, by numbering them first and specially, viz., the men from 30 to 50 years of age, "every one who comes to the service," i.e., who has to enter upon service "to do work at the tabernacle." צבא (Angl. 'host') signifies military service, and is used here with special reference to the service of the Levites as the militia sacra of Jehovah.