Números 3:32 Comentário

This chapter and the next are concerning the tribe of Levi, which was to be mustered and marshalled by itself, and not in common with the other tribes, intimating the particular honour put upon them and the particular duty and service required from them. The Levites are in this chapter considered, I. As attendants on, and assistants to, the priests in the temple-service. And so we have an account, 1. Of the priests themselves (Num 3:1-4) and their work (Num 3:10). 2. Of the gift of the Levites to them (Num 3:5-9), in order to which they are mustered (Num 3:14-16), and the sum of them taken (Num 3:39). Each particular family of them is mustered, has its place assigned and its charge, the Gershonites (Num 3:17-26), the Kohathites (Num 3:27-32), the Merarites (Num 3:33-39). II. As equivalents for the first-born (Num 3:11-13). 1. The first-born are numbered, and the Levites taken instead of them, as far as the number of the Levites went (Num 3:40-45). 2. What first-born there were more than the Levites were redeemed (Num 3:46, etc.).

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 3 In this chapter an account is given of the genealogy of the priests and Levites, and of the gift of the Levites to the priests, of the numbering of them, and the service they were to perform; and first of the priests, the sons of Aaron, Num 3:1; and then of the Levites, as given unto them, to wait upon them, and assist them, Num 3:5; and these were taken instead of the firstborn, Num 3:11; and ordered to be numbered, which was done accordingly by their families, Num 3:14; and the sum of each is given, and the particular work assigned to them; of the Gershonites, Num 3:21; of the Kohathites, Num 3:27; of the Merarites, Num 3:33; the sum total of them is given, Num 3:39; then the firstborn of the children of Israel, from a month old are ordered to be numbered, and were, Num 3:40; and these appearing to be more in number than the Levites, by two hundred seventy three a direction is given that the two hundred seventy three should be redeemed at the rate of five, shekels apiece, and the money paid to Aaron and his sons, Num 3:44; which was accordingly done, Num 3:49.

Of Merari were the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites,.... So called from his two sons Mahli and Mushi, Num 3:20, these are the families of Merari; the youngest son of Levi, Num 3:17.

The war with Og, king of Bashan, Deu 3:1, Deu 3:2. He is defeated, Deu 3:3. Sixty fortified cities with many unwalled towns taken, Deu 3:4, Deu 3:5. The utter destruction of the people, Deu 3:6. The spoils, Deu 3:7; and extent of the land taken, Deu 3:8-10. Account of Og's iron bedstead, Deu 3:11. The land given to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh, Deu 3:12, Deu 3:13. Jair takes the country of Argob, Deu 3:14. Gilead is given unto Machir, Deu 3:15. And the rest of the land possessed by the Reubenites and Gadites, Deu 3:16, Deu 3:17. The directions given to those tribes, Deu 3:18-20. The counsel given to Joshua, Deu 3:21, Deu 3:22. Moses's prayer to God for permission to go into the promised land, Deu 3:23-25; and God's refusal, Deu 3:26. He is commanded to go up to Mount Pisgah to see it, Deu 3:27; and to encourage Joshua, Deu 3:28. They continue in the valley opposite to Beth-peor, Deu 3:29.

THE LEVITES' SERVICE. (Num. 3:1-51) These . . . are the generations of Aaron and Moses, &c.--This chapter contains an account of their families; and although that of Moses is not detailed like his brother's, his children are included under the general designation of the Amramites (Num 3:27), a term which comprehends all the descendants of their common father Amram. The reason why the family of Moses was so undistinguished in this record is that they were in the private ranks of the Levites, the dignity of the priesthood being conferred exclusively on the posterity of Aaron; and hence, as the sacerdotal order is the subject of this chapter, Aaron, contrary to the usual style of the sacred history, is mentioned before Moses. in the day that the Lord spake with Moses in mount Sinai--This is added, because at the date of the following record the family of Aaron was unbroken.

chief--rather, "chiefs" of the Levites. Three persons are mentioned as chiefs of these respective divisions [Num 3:24, Num 3:30, Num 3:35]. And Eleazar presided over them; whence he is called "the second priest" (Kg2 25:18); and in the case of the high priest's absence from illness or other necessary occasions, he performed the duties (Kg1 4:4).

As the priests also formed part of the Kohathites, their chief is mentioned as well, viz., Eleazar the eldest son of Aaron the high priest, who was placed over the chiefs of the three Levitical families, and called פּקדּה, oversight of the keepers of the charge of the sanctuary," i.e., authority, superior, of the servants of the sanctuary.