Num. 18 God showing to Aaron, his sons, and the Levites their office, Num. 18:1–7; appointeth to Aaron and his sons their maintenance, Num. 18:8–20; and also to the Levites, Num. 18:21–24. He commandeth them by Moses to give tenths of their tenths to the chief priests, Num. 18:25–32.

The iniquity of the sanctuary, i.e. shall suffer the punishment of all the usurpations or pollutions of the sanctuary, or the holy things, by the Levites or any of the people, because you have authority and power from me to keep them all within their bounds, and I expect you use it to that cud.

Minister unto thee, about sacrifices and offerings and other things, according to the rules and limits I have prescribed them. The Levites are said to minister to Aaron here, to the church, Num. 16:9, and to God, Deut. 10:8.

Thy charge, i.e. that which thou shalt command them and commit unto them. Of all the tabernacle, i.e. of the boards and hangings and utensils of the tabernacle, to take them down, and carry them, and set them up again.

Of the sanctuary, i.e. of the holy, and of the most holy, place. Upon the children of Israel, for coming too near the holy place, or for usurping any part of your sacred function, or for any other miscarriage which they may be guilty of through your carelessness or remissness, in which case they…

For the Lord, i.e. for the service of the Lord, to assist you therein, in the servile and troublesome parts of it.

The altar, to wit, of burnt-offering, as appears from the following words. Within the veil. This phrase elsewhere signifies the inward or second veil, but here it signifies either the outward veil only, or rather both the veils, the singular number being put for the plural, as when the altar is put…

Unto thee have I given them; not only the charge of them, but the use of them for thyself and family, in such manner as I have elsewhere expressed. The anointing, to wit, to the priestly office, i.e.

The most holy things; such as were to be eaten only by the priests, and that in the sanctuary. How these differ from the holy things, see on Lev. 6:17. Reserved from the fire, i.e. such sacrifices or such parts of sacrifices as were not burnt in the fire.

In the most holy place, to wit, in the court of the priests, where there were places for this use; see Lev. 6:16–17, Lev. 6:26, Lev. 7:6, Lev. 8:31, Lev. 14:13, Neh. 13:5, Neh. 13:9, Ezek.

The heave-offering, i.e. the right shoulder, which was the priest’s. Of their gift, to wit, of their peace-offerings, as may appear, because here is an enumeration of all that belonged to the priest in the several oblations, and therefore it is not likely that he would omit the peace-offerings,…

The best, Heb. the fat for the best: the fat of wheat is the best of it, Deut. 32:14, Ps. 81:16, Ps. 147:14. The first-fruits of them; as well those which were offered in the name and behalf of the body of the people at the solemn feasts, Lev. 23:10, Lev.

i.e. Not only the first-fruits of the oil, and wine, and wheat now mentioned, but all other first-fruits of all other grains, and all fruit-trees, &c. Every one that is clean; and none else, because these were first offered to God, and by consequent given to the priests; but for those which were…

Dedicated to God by vow or otherwise, provided it be such a thing as might be catch or consumed by use; for the vessels or treasures of gold and silver which were devoted or dedicated by Joshua, David, or others, were not the priests’ but were appropriated to the uses of the temple.

Whether it be of men, which were offered to God in his temple, Ex. 13:12, Luke 2:22, and to his service and disposal.

Those that are to be redeemed, to wit, of men only, not of unclean beasts last mentioned, as is manifest from the time and price of redemption here mentioned, both which agree to men; the time, Num. 18:16; the price, Num.

They are holy, to wit, in a peculiar manner, and higher degree than other beasts, consecrated to a holy use, even to be sacrificed unto God, and not to be redeemed nor alienated to any other use. Compare Deut. 15:19.

The flesh; all the flesh of them, and not only some parts, as in other sacrifices.

A covenant of salt, i.e. a durable and perpetual covenant; so called here and 2 Chron. 13:5, either because salt is a sign of incorruption, as being of singular use to preserve things from corruption; or because it is confirmed and ratified on their part by salt, which is therefore called the salt…

In their land, i.e. in the land of the children of Israel, mentioned Num. 18:13. You shall not have a distinct and separate portion of land, as the other tribes shall.

For the tithes were all given to the Levites, and out of their tithes the tenth was given to the priests, here Num. 18:26; C, and Neh. 10:37–38.

i.e. So nigh as to do any act proper to the priests or Levites.

Their iniquity, i.e. the punishment due not only for their own, but also for the people’s miscarriage, if it be committed through their connivance or negligence. And this was the reason why the priests withstood king Uzziah, when he would have burnt incense to the Lord, 2 Chron. 26:17–18.

As an heave-offering unto the Lord, i.e. as a rent charge or an acknowledgment that they have and hold all their lands, and the fruits of it, from God’s bounty.

It shall be accepted of you as much as if you offered it out of your own lands and labours.

And to his children, which were one with him, and were all to have their share herein.

Out of all your gifts; not only out of your tithes, but out of the other gifts which you receive from the people, and out of those fields which shall belong to your cities. Ye shall offer, to wit, to the priest. Every heave-offering, i.e.

In every place, i.e. in every clean place, and not in the holy place only.

The best of it; implying, that if they neglected this duty, they sinned in the use of such unhallowed food. Neither shall ye pollute the holy things, as you will do, if you abuse their holy offerings, by reserving that entirely to yourselves which they offer to God to be disposed as he hath…