Num. 3 The genealogy of Moses, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab and Abihu, Num. 3:1–4. The Levites are joined with them in the administration of the tabernacle, Num. 3:5–10, instead of all the first-born, Num. 3:11–13. The three families of the Levites numbered, Num. 3:14–39.

1491 These which follow in this chapter are the generations, i.e. either, 1. The things done by them; as the word generation is sometimes used, as Gen. 6:9, Gen. 25:19, Gen. 37:2. Or rather, 2. The kindred or family, for that is the subject of this chapter, and not their events or actions. Object.

In the time of Aaron’s life, as this phrase is taken, Num. 3:4, Ps. 72:5, Ps. 72:17; and under their father’s inspection and direction, and as their father’s servants or ministers in the priest’s office; for servants are oft described by this phrase of being, or standing, or serving in the sight or…

Present them; offer them to the lord for his special service. This was promised to them before, and now actually conferred upon them.

His charge, i.e. Aaron’s charge, or those things which are committed principally to Aaron’s care and oversight, and under him and his direction to the Levites. Of the whole congregation, i.e.

The charge of the children of Israel; those things which all the children of Israel are in their several places and stations obliged to take care of, though not in their persons, yet by others in their stead.

Given unto him, to attend upon him and observe his orders, and ease him of part of his burden in things hereafter mentioned.

They shall wait, in their own persons, not by the Levites. The stranger, i.e. every one who is of another family than Aaron’s, yea, though he be a Levite. See Num. 1:53, Num. 16:40. That cometh nigh, to wit, to execute any part of the priest’s office.

Instead of all the first-born, who were God’s propriety by right of redemption, Ex. 13:12, and to whom the administration of holy things was formerly committed, which now was taken away from them, either because they had forfeited this privilege by joining with the rest of their brethren in the…

Who may appoint whom I please for my service.

From a month old, because at that time the first-born, in whose stead the Levites came, Num. 8:16, were offered to God, Luke 2:22, and to be redeemed, Num. 18:16. And from that time the Levites were consecrated to God, and were as soon as they were capable,’ to be instructed in their work.

The tabernacle; not the boards, which belonged to Merari, Num. 3:36, but the ten curtains mentioned Ex. 26:1. The tent, to wit, the curtains of goats’ hair. The covering thereof, i.e. the coverings of rams’ skins and badgers’ skins. See Num. 4:25.

The cords, by which the tabernacle was fastened to the pins, and stretched out, Ex. 35:18.

This family had many privileges above the others; of that were Moses below, Num. 3:31; and in the land of Canaan they had twenty-three cities, which were almost as many as and Aaron, and all the priests; they had the chief place about the tabernacle, and the care of the most holy things hereboth…

Keeping, or keepers, &c., i.e. appointed for that work, as soon as they were capable of it. Of the sanctuary, i.e. of those holy things contained in or nearly belonging to the sanctuary, expressed Num. 3:31.

The hanging, which covered the most holy place, for all other hangings belonged to the Gershonites. All the service thereof, i.e. all the other furniture belonging to it, of which see Num. 4:7, Num. 4:9, Num. 4:14.

Eleazar shall be chief, next under the high priest; whence he is called the second priest, 2 Kings 25:18; and in case of the high priest’s absence by sickness or other necessary occasions, he was to perform his work, 1 Kings 4:4; and he had a superiority over all the rest of the priests and…

Therefore these were for another use than those mentioned Num. 3:26.

For the charge of the children of Israel; either in their stead. that charge which they were obliged to keep either by themselves. or by others appointed by them, if God had not committed it to those; or for their good, and service, and benefit; for their preservation, as the word may be rendered.

Object. But if the particular numbers, mentioned Num. 3:22, Num. 3:28, Num. 3:34, be put together, they make exactly 22, 300. Answ. The odd 300 are omitted here, either according to the use of the Holy Scripture, which in so great numbers small sums are commonly neglected, or because they were the…

That they may be compared with the number of the Levites for the reason here following.

Instead of all the first-born, to wit, such are now alive of them, but those which should be born of them hereafter are otherwise disposed. The cattle of the Levites; not that they were to be taken from the Levites, or to be sacrificed to God, any more than the Levites themselves were, but that…

Take the Levites, to wit, the 22, 000 reckoned up Num. 3:39, See Poole “Num. 3:39”

Five shekels apiece was the price to be paid for the redemption of a first-born a month old, Num. 18:15–16; but this money, though paid for these 273 persons, was probably paid out of the common stock of all, except lots were cast who should pay, which is not probable in so small a concern…

To whom all the Levites were given, and therefore the money which came in their stead.