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.

Here, I. The family of Aaron is confirmed in the priests’ office, Num. 3:10. They had been called to it before, and consecrated; here they are appointed to wait on their priests’ office: the apostle uses this phrase , Let us wait on our ministry.

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, I. By what rule they were numbered: Every male from a month old and upward, Num. 3:15.

Here is the exchange made of the Levites for the first-born. 1. The first-born were numbered from a month old, Num. 3:42–43. 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…