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 (v. 24-28). III. Of the Merarites (v.
29-33). IV. The numbers of each, and the sum total at last, are recorded (v.
34, etc.).
We have here a second muster of the tribe of Levi. As that tribe
was taken out of all Israel to be God's peculiar, so the middle-aged men of
that tribe were taken from among the rest to be actually employed in the service
of the tabernacle. Now observe,
I. Who were to be taken into this number. All the males from
thirty years old to fifty. Of the other tribes, those that were numbered to go
forth to war were from twenty years old and upward, but of the Levites only from
thirty to fifty; for the service of God requires the best of our strength, and
the prime of our time, which cannot be better spent than to the honour of him
who is the first and best. And a man may make a good soldier much sooner than a
good minister. Now,
1. They were not to be employed till they were thirty years old,
because till then they were in danger of retaining something childish and
youthful and had not gravity enough to do the service, and wear the honour, of a
Levite. They were entered as probationers at twenty-five years old, (ch. 8:24),
and in David's time, when there was more work to be done, at twenty (1 Chr.
23:24, and so Ezra 3:8); but they must be five years learning and waiting, and
so fitting themselves for service; nay, in David's time they were ten years in
preparation, from twenty to thirty. John Baptist began his public ministry, and
Christ his, at thirty years old. This is not in the letter of it obligatory on
gospel ministers now, as if they must either not begin their work till thirty
years old or must leave off at fifty; but it gives us two good rules:—(1.)
That ministers must not be novices, 1 Tim. 3:6. It is a work that requires
ripeness of judgment and great steadiness, and therefore those are very unfit
for it who are but babes in knowledge and have not put away childish things.
(2.) That they must learn before they teach, serve before they rule, and must first
be proved, 1 Tim. 3:10.
2. They were discharged at fifty years old from the toilsome
part of the service, particularly that of carrying the tabernacle; for that is
the special service to which they are here ordained, and which there was most
occasion for while they were in the wilderness. When they began to enter upon
old age, they were dismissed, (1.) In favour to them, that they might no be
over-toiled when their strength began to decay. Twenty years' good service was
thought pretty well for one man. (2.) In honour to the work, that it might not
be done by those who, through the infirmities of age, were slow and heavy. The
service of God should be done when we are in the most lively active frame. Those
do not consider this who put off their repentance to old age, and so leave the
best work to be done in the worst time.
II. How their work is described. They are said to enter into
the host, or warfare, to do the work in the tabernacle. The ministry
is a good work (1 Tim. 3:1): ministers are not ordained to the honour
only, but to the labour, not only to have the wages, but to do the work. It is
also a good warfare, 1 Tim. 1:18. Those that enter into the ministry must
look upon themselves as entered into the host, and approve themselves good
soldiers, 2 Tim. 2:3. Now, as to the sons of Kohath in particular, here is,
1. Their service appointed them, in the removes of the
tabernacle. Afterwards, when the tabernacle was fixed, they had other work
assigned them; but this was the work of the day, which was to be done in its
day. Observe, Wherever the camp of Israel went, the tabernacle of the Lord went
with them, and care must be taken for the carriage of it. Note, Wherever we go,
we must see to it that we take our religion along with us, and not forget that
or any part of it. Now the Koliathites were to carry all the holy things of the
tabernacle. They were charged with those things before (ch. 3:31), but here they
have more particular instructions given them. (1.) Aaron, and his sons the
priests, must pack up the things which the Kohathites were to carry, as here
directed, v. 5, etc. God had before appointed that none should come into the
most holy place, but only Aaron once a year with a cloud of incense (Lev. 16:2);
and yet, the necessity of their unsettled state requiring it, that law is here
dispensed with; for every time they removed Aaron and his sons went in to take
down the ark, and make it up for carriage; for (as the learned bishop Patrick
suggests) the shechinah, or display of the divine majesty, which was over
the mercy-seat, removed for the present in the pillar of cloud, which was taken
up, and then the ark was not dangerous to be approached. (2.) All the holy
things must be covered, the ark and table with three coverings, all the rest
with two. Even the ashes of the altar, in which the holy fire was carefully
preserved and raked up, must have a purple cloth spread over them, v. 13. Even
the brazen altar, though in the court of the sanctuary it stood open to the view
of all, yet was covered in the carriage of it. All these coverings were
designed, [1.] For safety, that these holy things might not be ruffled with the
wind, sullied with the rain, nor tarnished with the sun, but that they might be
preserved in their beauty; for on all the glory shall be a defence. The
coverings of badgers' skins, being thick and strong, would keep out wet; and,
while we are in our passage through the wilderness of this world, it concerns us
to be fenced for all weathers, Isa. 4:5, 6. [2.] For decency and
ornament. Most of these things had a cloth of blue, or purple, or scarlet,
spread outmost; and the ark was covered with a cloth wholly of blue (v.
6), an emblem (say some) of the azure skies, which are spread like a curtain
between us and the Majesty on high, Job 26:9. Those that are faithful to God
should endeavour likewise to appear beautiful before men, that they may adorn
the doctrine of God our Saviour. [3.] For concealment. It signified the
darkness of that dispensation. That which is now brought to light by the gospel,
and revealed to babes, was then hidden from the wise and prudent. They saw only
the coverings, not the holy things themselves (Heb. 10:1); but now Christ has destroyed
the face of the covering, Isa. 25:7. (3.) When all the holy things were
covered, then the Kohathites were to carry them on their shoulders. These things
that had staves were carried by their staves (v. 6, 8, 11, 14); those that had
not were carried upon a bar, or bier, or bearing barrow, v. 10, 12. See how the
tokens of God's presence in this world are movable things; but we look for a
kingdom that cannot be moved.
2. Eleazar, now the eldest son of Aaron, is appointed overseer
of the Kohathites in this service (v. 16); he must take care that nothing was
forgotten, left behind, or displaced. As a priest he had more honour than the
Levites, but then he had more care; and that care was a heavier burden, no
doubt, upon his heart, than all the burdens that were laid upon their shoulders.
It is much easier to do the work of the tabernacle than to discharge the trusts
of it, to obey than to rule.
3. Great care must be taken to preserve the lives of these
Levites, by preventing their unseasonable irreverent approach to the most holy
things: Cut you not off the Kohathites, v. 18. Note, Those who do not
what they can to keep others from sin do what they can to cut them off. [1.] The
Kohathites must not see the holy things till the priests had covered them, v.
20. Even those that bore the vessels of the Lord saw not what they bore, so much
were even those in the dark concerning the gospel whose office it was to expound
the law. And, [2.] When the holy things were covered, they might not touch them,
at least not the ark, called here the holy thing, upon pain of death, v.
15. Uzza was struck dead for the breach of this law. Thus were the Lord's
ministers themselves then kept in fear, and that was a dispensation of terror,
as well as darkness; but now, through Christ, the case is altered; we have seen
with our eyes, and our hands have handles, the word of life (1 Jn.
1:1), and we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace.
We have here the charge of the other two families of the
Levites, which, though not so honourable as the first, yet was necessary, and
was to be done regularly. 1. The Gershonites were charged with all the drapery
of the tabernacle, the curtains, and hangings, and the coverings of badgers'
skins, v. 22-26. These they were to take down when the cloud removed, and the
ark and the rest of the holy things were carried away, to pack up and bring with
them, and then to set up again, where the cloud rested. Aaron and his sons
allotted to them their respective charge: "You shall take care of such a
curtain, and you of such a hanging, that every one may know his work, and there
may be no confusion," v. 27. Ithamar particularly was to take the oversight
of them, v. 28. 2. The Merarites were charged with the heavy carriage, the
boards and bars, the pillars and sockets, the pins and cords, and these were
delivered to them by name, v. 31, 32. An inventory was given them of every
particular, that it might be forthcoming, and nothing to seek, when the
tabernacle was to be set up again. Though these seemed of less importance than
the other things pertaining to the sanctuary, yet there was this care taken of
them, to teach us with the greatest exactness to preserve pure and entire all
divine institutions, and to take care that nothing be lost. It also intimates
the care God takes of his church, and every member of it; the good Shepherd calls
his own sheep by name, Jn. 10:3. Here were thousands of men employed about
these services, though a much less number would have served for the bearing of
those burdens; but it was requisite that the tabernacle should be taken down,
and set up, with great expedition, and many hands would make quick work,
especially when every one knew his work. They had tents of their own to take
care of, and to take along with them, but the young men under thirty, and the
old men above fifty, might serve for them; nor is there any mention of them, for
God's house must always be preferred before our own. Their care was
preposterous who built and ceiled their own houses while God's house lay
waste, Hag. 1:4, 9. The death of the saints is represented as the taking down of
the tabernacle (2 Co. 5:1), and the putting of it off, 2 Pt. 1:14. The immortal
soul, like the most holy things, is first covered and taken away, carried by
angels, unseen, under the inspection of the Lord Jesus, our Eleazar. Care is
also taken of the body—the skin and flesh, which are as the curtains, the
bones and sinews which are as the bars and pillars; none of these shall be lost;
commandment is given concerning the bones, a covenant made with the dust; these
are in safe custody, and shall all be produced in the great day, when this
tabernacle shall be set up again, and these vile bodies made like the glorious
body of Jesus Christ.
We have here a particular account of the numbers of the three
families of the Levites respectively, that is, of the effective men, between
thirty years old and fifty. Observe, 1. The Kohathites were, in all, 8600 from a
month old and upwards; but of these there were but 2750 serviceable men, not a
third part. The Gershonites, in all, 7500, and of them but 2630 serviceable men,
little more than a third part. Note, Of the many that add to the numbers of the
church, there are comparatively but few that contribute to the service of it. So
it has been, and so it is; many have a place in the tabernacle that do but
little of the work of the tabernacle, Phil. 2:20, 21. 2. That the Merarites were
but 6200 in all, and yet of these there were 3200 serviceable men, that is, more
than half. The greatest burden lay upon that family, the boards, and pillars,
and sockets; and God so ordered it that, though they were the fewest in number,
yet they should have the most able men among them; for whatever service God
calls men to he will furnish them for it, and give strength in proportion to the
work, grace sufficient. 3. The whole number of the able men of the tribe of Levi
who entered into God's host to war his warfare was but 8580, whereas the able
men of the other tribes that entered into the host of Israel to war their
warfare were many more. The least of the tribes had almost four times as many
able men as the Levites, and some of them more than eight times as many; for
those that are engaged in the service of this world, and war after the flesh,
are many more than those that are devoted to the service of God, and fight
the good fight of faith.
Numbers 4 Bible Commentary
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete)
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 (v. 24-28). III. Of the Merarites (v. 29-33). IV. The numbers of each, and the sum total at last, are recorded (v. 34, etc.).
Verses 1-20
We have here a second muster of the tribe of Levi. As that tribe was taken out of all Israel to be God's peculiar, so the middle-aged men of that tribe were taken from among the rest to be actually employed in the service of the tabernacle. Now observe,
I. Who were to be taken into this number. All the males from thirty years old to fifty. Of the other tribes, those that were numbered to go forth to war were from twenty years old and upward, but of the Levites only from thirty to fifty; for the service of God requires the best of our strength, and the prime of our time, which cannot be better spent than to the honour of him who is the first and best. And a man may make a good soldier much sooner than a good minister. Now,
1. They were not to be employed till they were thirty years old, because till then they were in danger of retaining something childish and youthful and had not gravity enough to do the service, and wear the honour, of a Levite. They were entered as probationers at twenty-five years old, (ch. 8:24), and in David's time, when there was more work to be done, at twenty (1 Chr. 23:24, and so Ezra 3:8); but they must be five years learning and waiting, and so fitting themselves for service; nay, in David's time they were ten years in preparation, from twenty to thirty. John Baptist began his public ministry, and Christ his, at thirty years old. This is not in the letter of it obligatory on gospel ministers now, as if they must either not begin their work till thirty years old or must leave off at fifty; but it gives us two good rules:—(1.) That ministers must not be novices, 1 Tim. 3:6. It is a work that requires ripeness of judgment and great steadiness, and therefore those are very unfit for it who are but babes in knowledge and have not put away childish things. (2.) That they must learn before they teach, serve before they rule, and must first be proved, 1 Tim. 3:10.
2. They were discharged at fifty years old from the toilsome part of the service, particularly that of carrying the tabernacle; for that is the special service to which they are here ordained, and which there was most occasion for while they were in the wilderness. When they began to enter upon old age, they were dismissed, (1.) In favour to them, that they might no be over-toiled when their strength began to decay. Twenty years' good service was thought pretty well for one man. (2.) In honour to the work, that it might not be done by those who, through the infirmities of age, were slow and heavy. The service of God should be done when we are in the most lively active frame. Those do not consider this who put off their repentance to old age, and so leave the best work to be done in the worst time.
II. How their work is described. They are said to enter into the host, or warfare, to do the work in the tabernacle. The ministry is a good work (1 Tim. 3:1): ministers are not ordained to the honour only, but to the labour, not only to have the wages, but to do the work. It is also a good warfare, 1 Tim. 1:18. Those that enter into the ministry must look upon themselves as entered into the host, and approve themselves good soldiers, 2 Tim. 2:3. Now, as to the sons of Kohath in particular, here is,
1. Their service appointed them, in the removes of the tabernacle. Afterwards, when the tabernacle was fixed, they had other work assigned them; but this was the work of the day, which was to be done in its day. Observe, Wherever the camp of Israel went, the tabernacle of the Lord went with them, and care must be taken for the carriage of it. Note, Wherever we go, we must see to it that we take our religion along with us, and not forget that or any part of it. Now the Koliathites were to carry all the holy things of the tabernacle. They were charged with those things before (ch. 3:31), but here they have more particular instructions given them. (1.) Aaron, and his sons the priests, must pack up the things which the Kohathites were to carry, as here directed, v. 5, etc. God had before appointed that none should come into the most holy place, but only Aaron once a year with a cloud of incense (Lev. 16:2); and yet, the necessity of their unsettled state requiring it, that law is here dispensed with; for every time they removed Aaron and his sons went in to take down the ark, and make it up for carriage; for (as the learned bishop Patrick suggests) the shechinah, or display of the divine majesty, which was over the mercy-seat, removed for the present in the pillar of cloud, which was taken up, and then the ark was not dangerous to be approached. (2.) All the holy things must be covered, the ark and table with three coverings, all the rest with two. Even the ashes of the altar, in which the holy fire was carefully preserved and raked up, must have a purple cloth spread over them, v. 13. Even the brazen altar, though in the court of the sanctuary it stood open to the view of all, yet was covered in the carriage of it. All these coverings were designed, [1.] For safety, that these holy things might not be ruffled with the wind, sullied with the rain, nor tarnished with the sun, but that they might be preserved in their beauty; for on all the glory shall be a defence. The coverings of badgers' skins, being thick and strong, would keep out wet; and, while we are in our passage through the wilderness of this world, it concerns us to be fenced for all weathers, Isa. 4:5, 6. [2.] For decency and ornament. Most of these things had a cloth of blue, or purple, or scarlet, spread outmost; and the ark was covered with a cloth wholly of blue (v. 6), an emblem (say some) of the azure skies, which are spread like a curtain between us and the Majesty on high, Job 26:9. Those that are faithful to God should endeavour likewise to appear beautiful before men, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour. [3.] For concealment. It signified the darkness of that dispensation. That which is now brought to light by the gospel, and revealed to babes, was then hidden from the wise and prudent. They saw only the coverings, not the holy things themselves (Heb. 10:1); but now Christ has destroyed the face of the covering, Isa. 25:7. (3.) When all the holy things were covered, then the Kohathites were to carry them on their shoulders. These things that had staves were carried by their staves (v. 6, 8, 11, 14); those that had not were carried upon a bar, or bier, or bearing barrow, v. 10, 12. See how the tokens of God's presence in this world are movable things; but we look for a kingdom that cannot be moved.
2. Eleazar, now the eldest son of Aaron, is appointed overseer of the Kohathites in this service (v. 16); he must take care that nothing was forgotten, left behind, or displaced. As a priest he had more honour than the Levites, but then he had more care; and that care was a heavier burden, no doubt, upon his heart, than all the burdens that were laid upon their shoulders. It is much easier to do the work of the tabernacle than to discharge the trusts of it, to obey than to rule.
3. Great care must be taken to preserve the lives of these Levites, by preventing their unseasonable irreverent approach to the most holy things: Cut you not off the Kohathites, v. 18. Note, Those who do not what they can to keep others from sin do what they can to cut them off. [1.] The Kohathites must not see the holy things till the priests had covered them, v. 20. Even those that bore the vessels of the Lord saw not what they bore, so much were even those in the dark concerning the gospel whose office it was to expound the law. And, [2.] When the holy things were covered, they might not touch them, at least not the ark, called here the holy thing, upon pain of death, v. 15. Uzza was struck dead for the breach of this law. Thus were the Lord's ministers themselves then kept in fear, and that was a dispensation of terror, as well as darkness; but now, through Christ, the case is altered; we have seen with our eyes, and our hands have handles, the word of life (1 Jn. 1:1), and we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace.
Verses 21-33
We have here the charge of the other two families of the Levites, which, though not so honourable as the first, yet was necessary, and was to be done regularly. 1. The Gershonites were charged with all the drapery of the tabernacle, the curtains, and hangings, and the coverings of badgers' skins, v. 22-26. These they were to take down when the cloud removed, and the ark and the rest of the holy things were carried away, to pack up and bring with them, and then to set up again, where the cloud rested. Aaron and his sons allotted to them their respective charge: "You shall take care of such a curtain, and you of such a hanging, that every one may know his work, and there may be no confusion," v. 27. Ithamar particularly was to take the oversight of them, v. 28. 2. The Merarites were charged with the heavy carriage, the boards and bars, the pillars and sockets, the pins and cords, and these were delivered to them by name, v. 31, 32. An inventory was given them of every particular, that it might be forthcoming, and nothing to seek, when the tabernacle was to be set up again. Though these seemed of less importance than the other things pertaining to the sanctuary, yet there was this care taken of them, to teach us with the greatest exactness to preserve pure and entire all divine institutions, and to take care that nothing be lost. It also intimates the care God takes of his church, and every member of it; the good Shepherd calls his own sheep by name, Jn. 10:3. Here were thousands of men employed about these services, though a much less number would have served for the bearing of those burdens; but it was requisite that the tabernacle should be taken down, and set up, with great expedition, and many hands would make quick work, especially when every one knew his work. They had tents of their own to take care of, and to take along with them, but the young men under thirty, and the old men above fifty, might serve for them; nor is there any mention of them, for God's house must always be preferred before our own. Their care was preposterous who built and ceiled their own houses while God's house lay waste, Hag. 1:4, 9. The death of the saints is represented as the taking down of the tabernacle (2 Co. 5:1), and the putting of it off, 2 Pt. 1:14. The immortal soul, like the most holy things, is first covered and taken away, carried by angels, unseen, under the inspection of the Lord Jesus, our Eleazar. Care is also taken of the body—the skin and flesh, which are as the curtains, the bones and sinews which are as the bars and pillars; none of these shall be lost; commandment is given concerning the bones, a covenant made with the dust; these are in safe custody, and shall all be produced in the great day, when this tabernacle shall be set up again, and these vile bodies made like the glorious body of Jesus Christ.
Verses 34-49
We have here a particular account of the numbers of the three families of the Levites respectively, that is, of the effective men, between thirty years old and fifty. Observe, 1. The Kohathites were, in all, 8600 from a month old and upwards; but of these there were but 2750 serviceable men, not a third part. The Gershonites, in all, 7500, and of them but 2630 serviceable men, little more than a third part. Note, Of the many that add to the numbers of the church, there are comparatively but few that contribute to the service of it. So it has been, and so it is; many have a place in the tabernacle that do but little of the work of the tabernacle, Phil. 2:20, 21. 2. That the Merarites were but 6200 in all, and yet of these there were 3200 serviceable men, that is, more than half. The greatest burden lay upon that family, the boards, and pillars, and sockets; and God so ordered it that, though they were the fewest in number, yet they should have the most able men among them; for whatever service God calls men to he will furnish them for it, and give strength in proportion to the work, grace sufficient. 3. The whole number of the able men of the tribe of Levi who entered into God's host to war his warfare was but 8580, whereas the able men of the other tribes that entered into the host of Israel to war their warfare were many more. The least of the tribes had almost four times as many able men as the Levites, and some of them more than eight times as many; for those that are engaged in the service of this world, and war after the flesh, are many more than those that are devoted to the service of God, and fight the good fight of faith.