mh_parser/vol_split/4 - Numbers/Chapter 3.xml

<div2 id="Num.iv" n="iv" next="Num.v" prev="Num.iii" progress="64.64%" title="Chapter III">
<h2 id="Num.iv-p0.1">N U M B E R S</h2>
<h3 id="Num.iv-p0.2">CHAP. III.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Num.iv-p1">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 (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.1-Num.3.4" parsed="|Num|3|1|3|4" passage="Nu 3:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>) and their work, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.10" parsed="|Num|3|10|0|0" passage="Nu 3:10">ver. 10</scripRef>. 2. Of the gift of the Levites to them
(<scripRef id="Num.iv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.5-Num.3.9" parsed="|Num|3|5|3|9" passage="Nu 3:5-9">ver. 5-9</scripRef>), in order to
which they are mustered (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.14-Num.3.16" parsed="|Num|3|14|3|16" passage="Nu 3:14-16">ver.
14-16</scripRef>), and the sum of them taken, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.39" parsed="|Num|3|39|0|0" passage="Nu 3:39">ver. 39</scripRef>. Each particular family of them is
mustered, has its place assigned and its charge, the Gershonites
(<scripRef id="Num.iv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.17-Num.3.26" parsed="|Num|3|17|3|26" passage="Nu 3:17-26">ver. 17-26</scripRef>), the
Kohathites (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.27-Num.3.32" parsed="|Num|3|27|3|32" passage="Nu 3:27-32">ver. 27-32</scripRef>),
the Merarites, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.33-Num.3.39" parsed="|Num|3|33|3|39" passage="Nu 3:33-39">ver.
33-39</scripRef>. II. As equivalents for the first-born, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.11-Num.3.13" parsed="|Num|3|11|3|13" passage="Nu 3:11-13">ver. 11-13</scripRef>. 1. The first-born are
numbered, and the Levites taken instead of them, as far as the
number of the Levites went, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.40-Num.3.45" parsed="|Num|3|40|3|45" passage="Nu 3:40-45">ver.
40-45</scripRef>. 2. What first-born there were more than the
Levites were redeemed, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.46-Num.3.51" parsed="|Num|3|46|3|51" passage="Nu 3:46-51">ver.
46</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Num.iv-p1.12" osisRef="Bible:Num.3" parsed="|Num|3|0|0|0" passage="Nu 3" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Num.iv-p1.13" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.1-Num.3.13" parsed="|Num|3|1|3|13" passage="Nu 3:1-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.3.1-Num.3.13">
<h4 id="Num.iv-p1.14">The Separation of the
Levites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p1.15">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Num.iv-p2">1 These also <i>are</i> the generations of Aaron
and Moses in the day <i>that</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p2.1">Lord</span> spake with Moses in Mount Sinai.   2
And these <i>are</i> the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the
firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.   3 These
<i>are</i> the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were
anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.
  4 And Nadab and Abihu died before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p2.2">Lord</span>, when they offered strange fire before the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p2.3">Lord</span>, in the wilderness of Sinai,
and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the
priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father.   5 And
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p2.4">Lord</span> spake unto Moses, saying,
  6 Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before
Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.   7 And
they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole
congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the
service of the tabernacle.   8 And they shall keep all the
instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge
of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.
  9 And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his
sons: they <i>are</i> wholly given unto him out of the children of
Israel.   10 And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and
they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that
cometh nigh shall be put to death.   11 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p2.5">Lord</span> spake unto Moses, saying,   12 And I,
behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel
instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the
children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;   13
Because all the firstborn <i>are</i> mine; <i>for</i> on the day
that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto
me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they
be: I <i>am</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p2.6">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.iv-p3">Here, I. The family of Aaron is confirmed
in the priests' office, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.10" parsed="|Num|3|10|0|0" passage="Nu 3:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>. They had been called to it before, and consecrated;
here they are appointed to <i>wait on their priests' office:</i>
the apostle uses this phrase (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.12.7" parsed="|Rom|12|7|0|0" passage="Ro 12:7">Rom. xii.
7</scripRef>), <i>Let us wait on our ministry.</i> The office of
the ministry requires a constant attendance and great diligence; so
frequent are the returns of its work, and yet so transient its
favourable opportunities, that it must be waited on. Here is
repeated what was said before (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.1.51" parsed="|Num|1|51|0|0" passage="Nu 1:51"><i>ch.</i> i. 51</scripRef>): <i>The stranger that cometh
nigh shall be put to death,</i> which forbids the invading of the
priest's office by any other person whatsoever; none must come nigh
to minister but Aaron and his sons only, all others are strangers.
It also lays a charge on the priests, as door-keepers in God's
house, to take care that none should come near who were forbidden
by the law; they must keep off all intruders, whose approach would
be to the profanation of the holy things, telling them that if they
came near it was at their peril, they would <i>die by the hand of
God,</i> as Uzza did. The Jews say that afterwards there was hung
over the door of the temple a golden sword (perhaps alluding to
that flaming sword at the entrance of the garden of Eden), on which
was engraven, <i>The stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to
death.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.iv-p4">II. A particular account is given of this
family of Aaron; what we have met with before concerning them is
here repeated. 1. The consecration of the sons of Aaron, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.3" parsed="|Num|3|3|0|0" passage="Nu 3:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. They were all anointed to
minister before the Lord, though it appeared afterwards, and God
knew it, that two of them were wise and two were foolish. 2. The
fall of the two elder (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.4" parsed="|Num|3|4|0|0" passage="Nu 3:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>): they <i>offered strange fire,</i> and died for so
doing, <i>before the Lord.</i> This is mentioned here in the
preamble to the law concerning the priesthood, for a warning to all
succeeding priests; let them know, by this example, that God is a
jealous God, and will not be mocked; the holy anointing oil was an
honour to the obedient, but not a shelter to the disobedient. It is
here said, <i>They had no children,</i> Providence so ordering it,
for their greater punishment, that none of their descendants should
remain to be priests, and so bear up their name who had profaned
God's name. 3. The continuance of the two younger: Eleazar and
Ithamar ministered <i>in the sight of Aaron.</i> It intimates, (1.)
The care they took about their ministration not to make any
blunders; they kept under their father's eye, and took instruction
from him in all they did, because, probably, Nadab and Abihu got
out of their father's sight when they offered strange fire. Note,
It is good for young people to act under the direction and
inspection of those that are aged and experienced. (2.) The comfort
Aaron took in it; it pleased him to see his younger sons behave
themselves prudently and gravely, when his two elder had
miscarried. Note, It is a great satisfaction to parents to <i>see
their children walk in the truth,</i> <scripRef id="Num.iv-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:3John.1.4" parsed="|3John|1|4|0|0" passage="3Jo 1:4">3
John 4</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.iv-p5">III. A grant is made of the Levites to be
assistants to the priests in their work: <i>Give the Levites to
Aaron,</i> <scripRef id="Num.iv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.9" parsed="|Num|3|9|0|0" passage="Nu 3:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Aaron
was to have a greater propriety in, and power over, the tribe of
Levi than any other of the prices had in and over their respective
tribes. There was a great deal of work belonging to the priests'
office, and there were now only three pairs of hands to do it all,
Aaron's and his two sons'; for it does not appear that they had
either of them any children at this time, at least not any that
were of age to minister, therefore God appoints the Levites to
attend upon them. Note, Those whom God finds work for his will find
help for. Here is, 1. The service for which the Levites were
designed: they were to <i>minister to the priests</i> in their
ministration to the Lord (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.6" parsed="|Num|3|6|0|0" passage="Nu 3:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>), and to <i>keep Aaron's charge</i> (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.7" parsed="|Num|3|7|0|0" passage="Nu 3:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), as the deacons to the
bishops in the evangelical constitution, serving at tables, while
the bishops waited on their ministry. The Levites killed the
sacrifices, and then the priests needed only to sprinkle the blood
and burn the fat: the Levites prepared the incense, the priests
burnt it. They were to keep, not only Aaron's charge, but the
<i>charge of the whole congregation.</i> Note, It is a great trust
that is reposed in ministers, not only for the glory of Christ, but
for the good of his church; so that they must not only keep the
charge of the great high priest, but must also be faithful to the
souls of men, in trust for whom a dispensation is committed to
them. 2. The consideration upon which the Levites were demanded;
they were taken instead of the first-born. The preservation of the
first-born of Israel, when all the first-born of the Egyptians
(with whom they were many of them mingled) were destroyed, was
looked upon by him who never makes any unreasonable demands as
cause sufficient of the appropriating of all the first-born
thenceforward to himself (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.13" parsed="|Num|3|13|0|0" passage="Nu 3:13"><i>v.</i>
13</scripRef>): <i>All the first-born are mine.</i> That was
sufficient to make them his, though he had given no reason for it,
for he is the sole fountain and Lord of all beings and powers; but
because all obedience must flow from love, and acts of duty must be
acts of gratitude, before they were challenged into peculiar
services they were crowned with peculiar favours. Note, When he
that made us saves us we are thereby laid under further obligations
to serve him and live to him. God's right to us by redemption
corroborates the right he has to us by creation. Now because the
first-born of a family are generally the favourites, and some would
think it a disparagement to have their eldest sons servants to the
priests, and attending before the door of the tabernacle, God took
the tribe of Levi entire for his own, in lieu of the first-born,
<scripRef id="Num.iv-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.12" parsed="|Num|3|12|0|0" passage="Nu 3:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. Note, God's
institutions put no hardships upon men in any of their just
interests or reasonable affections. It was presumed that the
Israelites would rather part with the Levites than with the
first-born, and therefore God graciously ordered the exchange; yet
for us he <i>spared not his own Son.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Num.iv-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.3" parsed="|Num|3|0|0|0" passage="Nu 3" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Num.iv-p5.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.14-Num.3.39" parsed="|Num|3|14|3|39" passage="Nu 3:14-39" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.3.14-Num.3.39">
<p class="passage" id="Num.iv-p6">14 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p6.1">Lord</span>
spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,   15
Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by
their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou
number them.   16 And Moses numbered them according to the
word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p6.2">Lord</span>, as he was
commanded.   17 And these were the sons of Levi by their
names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.   18 And these
<i>are</i> the names of the sons of Gershon by their families;
Libni, and Shimei.   19 And the sons of Kohath by their
families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.   20 And the
sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These
<i>are</i> the families of the Levites according to the house of
their fathers.   21 Of Gershon <i>was</i> the family of the
Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these <i>are</i> the
families of the Gershonites.   22 Those that were numbered of
them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old
and upward, <i>even</i> those that were numbered of them
<i>were</i> seven thousand and five hundred.   23 The families
of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.
  24 And the chief of the house of the father of the
Gershonites <i>shall be</i> Eliasaph the son of Lael.   25 And
the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the
congregation <i>shall be</i> the tabernacle, and the tent, the
covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of
the congregation,   26 And the hangings of the court, and the
curtain for the door of the court, which <i>is</i> by the
tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for
all the service thereof.   27 And of Kohath <i>was</i> the
family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the
family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these
<i>are</i> the families of the Kohathites.   28 In the number
of all the males, from a month old and upward, <i>were</i> eight
thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.
  29 The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the
side of the tabernacle southward.   30 And the chief of the
house of the father of the families of the Kohathites <i>shall
be</i> Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.   31 And their charge
<i>shall be</i> the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and
the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they
minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.   32
And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest <i>shall be</i> chief over
the chief of the Levites, <i>and have</i> the oversight of them
that keep the charge of the sanctuary.   33 Of Merari
<i>was</i> the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the
Mushites: these <i>are</i> the families of Merari.   34 And
those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all
the males, from a month old and upward, <i>were</i> six thousand
and two hundred.   35 And the chief of the house of the father
of the families of Merari <i>was</i> Zuriel the son of Abihail:
<i>these</i> shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward.
  36 And <i>under</i> the custody and charge of the sons of
Merari <i>shall be</i> the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars
thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all
the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto,   37 And
the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their
pins, and their cords.   38 But those that encamp before the
tabernacle toward the east, <i>even</i> before the tabernacle of
the congregation eastward, <i>shall be</i> Moses, and Aaron and his
sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the
children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put
to death.   39 All that were numbered of the Levites, which
Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p6.3">Lord</span>, throughout their families, all the males
from a month old and upward, <i>were</i> twenty and two
thousand.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.iv-p7">The Levites being granted to Aaron to
minister to him, they are here delivered to him by tale, that he
might know what he had, and employ them accordingly. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.iv-p8">I. By what rule they were numbered:
<i>Every male from a month old and upward,</i> <scripRef id="Num.iv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.15" parsed="|Num|3|15|0|0" passage="Nu 3:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. The rest of the tribes were
numbered only from twenty years old and upwards, and of them those
only that were <i>able to go forth to war;</i> but into the number
of the Levites they must take in both infants, and infirm; being
exempted from the war, it was not insisted upon that they should be
of age and strength for the wars. Though it appears afterwards that
little more than a third part of the Levites were fit to be
employed in the service of the tabernacle (about 8000 out of
22,000, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.47-Num.4.48" parsed="|Num|4|47|4|48" passage="Nu 4:47,48"><i>ch.</i> iv. 47,
48</scripRef>), yet God would have them all numbered as retainers
to his family; that none may think themselves disowned and rejected
of God because they are not in a capacity of doing him that service
which they see others do him. The Levites of a month old could not
honour God and serve the tabernacle, as those that had grown up;
yet out of the mouths of babes and sucklings the Levites' praise
was perfected. Let not little children be hindered from being
enrolled among the disciples of Christ, for such was the tribe of
Levi, of such is the kingdom of heaven, that kingdom of priests.
The redemption of the first-born was reckoned from a month old
(<scripRef id="Num.iv-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.15-Num.18.16" parsed="|Num|18|15|18|16" passage="Nu 18:15,16"><i>ch.</i> xviii. 15,
16</scripRef>), therefore from that age the Levites were numbered.
They were numbered <i>after the house of their fathers,</i> not
their <i>mothers,</i> for, if the daughter of a Levite married one
of another tribe, her son was not a Levite; but we read of a
spiritual priest to out God who inherited the unfeigned faith which
dwelt in his mother and grandmother, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.5" parsed="|2Tim|1|5|0|0" passage="2Ti 1:5">2
Tim. i. 5</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.iv-p9">II. How they were distributed into three
classes, according to the number of the sons of Levi, Gershon,
Kohath, and Merari, and these subdivided into several families,
<scripRef id="Num.iv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.17-Num.3.20" parsed="|Num|3|17|3|20" passage="Nu 3:17-20"><i>v.</i> 17-20</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.iv-p10">1. Concerning each of these three classes
we have an account, (1.) Of their number. The Gershonites were
7500. The Kohathites were 8600. The Merarites were 6200. The rest
of the tribes had not their subordinate families numbered by
themselves as those of Levi; this honour God put upon his own
tribe. (2.) Of their post about the tabernacle on which they were
to attend. The Gershonites pitched behind the tabernacle, westward,
<scripRef id="Num.iv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.23" parsed="|Num|3|23|0|0" passage="Nu 3:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. The Kohathites
on the right hand, southward, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.29" parsed="|Num|3|29|0|0" passage="Nu 3:29"><i>v.</i>
29</scripRef>. The Merarites on the left hand, northward, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.35" parsed="|Num|3|35|0|0" passage="Nu 3:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>. And, to complete the
square, Moses and Aaron, with the priests, encamped in the front,
eastward, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.38" parsed="|Num|3|38|0|0" passage="Nu 3:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>. Thus
was the tabernacle surrounded with its guards; and thus does the
<i>angel of the Lord encamp round about those that fear him,</i>
those living temples, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.34.7" parsed="|Ps|34|7|0|0" passage="Ps 34:7">Ps. xxxiv.
7</scripRef>. Every one knew his place, and must therein abide with
God. (3.) Of their chief or head. As each class had its own place,
so each had its own prince. The commander of the Gershonites was
Eliasaph (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.24" parsed="|Num|3|24|0|0" passage="Nu 3:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>); of
the Kohathites Elizaphan (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.30" parsed="|Num|3|30|0|0" passage="Nu 3:30"><i>v.</i>
30</scripRef>), of whom we read (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:Lev.10.4" parsed="|Lev|10|4|0|0" passage="Le 10:4">Lev.
x. 4</scripRef>) that he was one of the bearers at the funeral of
Nadab and Abihu; of the Merarites Zuriel, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p10.9" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.35" parsed="|Num|3|35|0|0" passage="Nu 3:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>. (4.) Of their charge, when the
camp moved. Each class knew their own business; it was requisite
they should, for that which is everybody's work often proves
nobody's work. The Gershonites were charged with the custody and
carriage of all the curtains and hangings and coverings of the
tabernacle and court (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p10.10" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.25-Num.3.26" parsed="|Num|3|25|3|26" passage="Nu 3:25,26"><i>v.</i> 25,
26</scripRef>), the Kohathites of all the furniture of the
tabernacle—the ark, altar, table, &amp;c. (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p10.11" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.31-Num.3.32" parsed="|Num|3|31|3|32" passage="Nu 3:31,32"><i>v.</i> 31, 32</scripRef>), the Merarites of the
heavy carriage, boards, bars, pillars, &amp;c., <scripRef id="Num.iv-p10.12" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.36-Num.3.37" parsed="|Num|3|36|3|37" passage="Nu 3:36,37"><i>v.</i> 36, 37</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.iv-p11">2. Here we may observe, (1.) That the
Kohathites, though they were the second house, yet were preferred
before the elder family of the Gershonites. Besides that Aaron and
the priests were of that family, they were more numerous, and their
post and charge more honourable, which probably was ordered to put
an honour upon Moses, who was of that family. Yet, (2.) The
posterity of Moses were not at all dignified or privileged, but
stood upon the level with other Levites, that it might appear he
did not seek the advancement of his own family, nor to entail any
honours upon it either in church or state; he that had honour
enough himself coveted not to have his name shine by that borrowed
light, but rather to have the Levites borrow honour from his name.
Let none think contemptibly of the Levites, though inferior to the
priests, for Moses himself though it preferment enough for his sons
to be Levites. Probably it was because the family of Moses were
Levites only that in the title of this chapter, which is concerning
that tribe (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.1" parsed="|Num|3|1|0|0" passage="Nu 3:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>),
Aaron is put before Moses.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.iv-p12">III. The sum total of the numbers of this
tribe. They are computed in all 22,000, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.39" parsed="|Num|3|39|0|0" passage="Nu 3:39"><i>v.</i> 39</scripRef>. The sum of the particular
families amounts to 300 more; if this had been added to the sum
total, the Levites, instead of being 273 fewer than the first-born,
as they were (<scripRef id="Num.iv-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.43" parsed="|Num|3|43|0|0" passage="Nu 3:43"><i>v.</i> 43</scripRef>),
would have been twenty-seven more, and so the balance would have
fallen the other way; but it is supposed that the 300 which were
struck off from the account when the exchange was to be made were
the first-born of the Levites themselves, born since their coming
out of Egypt, which could not be put into the exchange, because
they were already sanctified to God. But that which is especially
observable here is that the tribe of Levi was by much the least of
all the tribes. Note, God's part in the world is too often the
smallest part. His chosen are comparatively a little flock.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Num.iv-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.40-Num.3.51" parsed="|Num|3|40|3|51" passage="Nu 3:40-51" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.3.40-Num.3.51">
<p class="passage" id="Num.iv-p13">40 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p13.1">Lord</span>
said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the
children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number
of their names.   41 And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I
<i>am</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p13.2">Lord</span>) instead of all
the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the
Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the
children of Israel.   42 And Moses numbered, as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p13.3">Lord</span> commanded him, all the firstborn
among the children of Israel.   43 And all the firstborn males
by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that
were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and
threescore and thirteen.   44 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p13.4">Lord</span> spake unto Moses, saying,   45 Take
the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of
Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and
the Levites shall be mine: I <i>am</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p13.5">Lord</span>.   46 And for those that are to be
redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the
firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the
Levites;   47 Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the
poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take
<i>them:</i> (the shekel <i>is</i> twenty gerahs:)   48 And
thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to
be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons.   49 And Moses took
the redemption money of them that were over and above them that
were redeemed by the Levites:   50 Of the firstborn of the
children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and
threescore and five <i>shekels,</i> after the shekel of the
sanctuary:   51 And Moses gave the money of them that were
redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p13.6">Lord</span>, as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.iv-p13.7">Lord</span> commanded Moses.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.iv-p14">Here is the exchange made of the Levites
for the first-born. 1. The first-born were numbered from a month
old, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.42-Num.3.43" parsed="|Num|3|42|3|43" passage="Nu 3:42,43"><i>v.</i> 42, 43</scripRef>.
Those certainly were not reckoned who, though first-born, had
become heads of families themselves, but those only that were under
age; and the learned bishop Patrick is decidedly of opinion that
none were numbered but those only that were born since their coming
out of Egypt, when the first-born were sanctified, <scripRef id="Num.iv-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.2" parsed="|Exod|13|2|0|0" passage="Ex 13:2">Exod. xiii. 2</scripRef>. If there were 22,000
first-born males, we may suppose as many females, and all these
brought forth in the first year after they came out of Egypt, we
must hence infer that in the last year of their servitude, even
when it was in the greatest extremity, there were abundance of
marriages made among the Israelites; they were not discouraged by
the present distress, but married in faith, expecting that God
would shortly visit them with mercy, and that their children,
though born in bondage, should live in liberty and honour. And it
was a token of good to them, an evidence that they were blessed of
the Lord, that they were not only kept alive, but greatly
increased, in a barren wilderness. 2. The number of the first-born,
and that of the Levites, by a special providence, came pretty near
to each other; thus, when he <i>divided the nations, he set the
bounds of the people according to the number of the children of
Israel,</i> <scripRef id="Num.iv-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.32.8" parsed="|Deut|32|8|0|0" passage="De 32:8">Deut. xxxii. 8</scripRef>.
Known unto God are all his works beforehand, and there is an exact
proportion between them, and so it will appear when they come to be
compared. The Levites' cattle are said to be taken instead of the
firstlings <i>of the cattle of the children of Israel,</i> that is,
the Levites, with all their possessions, were devoted to God
instead of the first-born and all theirs; for, when we give
ourselves to God, all we have passes as appurtenances with the
premises. 3. The small number of first-born which exceeded the
number of the Levites (273 in all) were to be redeemed, at five
shekels apiece, and the redemption-money given to Aaron; for it
would not do well to have them added to the Levites. It is probable
that in the exchange they began with the eldest of the first-born,
and so downward, so that those were to be redeemed with money who
were the 273 youngest of the first-born; more likely so than either
that it was determined by lot or that the money was paid out of the
public stock. The church is called the church of the
<i>first-born,</i> which is redeemed, not as these were, with
silver and gold, but, being devoted by sin to the justice of God,
is ransomed with <i>the precious blood of the Son of God.</i></p>
</div></div2>