Bibelkommentare

NUMBERS CHAPTER 4.

God commands the Levites to be numbered from thirty till fifty years, fit for the service of the tabernacle; their charge, Numbers 4:1-16. Of the Kohathites, Numbers 4:17-20. Of the Gershonites, Numbers 4:21-28. Of the sons of Merari, Numbers 4:29-33. The number of each, Numbers 4:34-45. Of all in general, Numbers 4:46-49.

No text from Poole on this verse.

No text from Poole on this verse.

From thirty years old: this age was prescribed, as the age of full strength of body, and therefore most proper for their present laborious work of carrying the parts and vessels of the tabernacle; and of maturity of judgment, which is necessary for the right management of holy services; whence even John and Christ entered not upon their ministry till that age. And it may still seem to be the fittest season for men’s undertaking the ministry of the gospel, except in case of extraordinary abilities, or the church’s pressing necessity.

Object. They might enter upon this work at their twenty-fifth year, Numbers 8:24, and in David’s time and afterward at their twentieth year.

Answ. 1. Their first entrance upon their work was at their twenty-fifth year, when they began as learners, and acted only under the inspection and direction of their brethren; but in their thirtieth year they were completely admitted to a full discharge of their whole office.

2. David, being a prophet, and particularly directed by God in the affairs of the temple, might and did make a change in this matter, which he might the better do, both because it was but a change in a circumstance, and because the magnificence of the temple, and the great multitude of sacred utensils and sacrifices, required a greater number of attendants than formerly was necessary.

Until fifty years old, when they were exempted from the toilsome work of carrying burdens, but not discharged from the honourable and easy work done within the tabernacle, Numbers 8:26.

All that enter, i.e. that do and may enter, having no defect, Leviticus 21:17, nor other impediment. The society of sacred ministers he calls a host, because of that excellent order which was among them, as to persons, place, time, the matter and manner of their services.

Hereafter mentioned, as the ark, table, altar, &c. Compare Numbers 3:31.

For upon this necessary occasion the inferior priests are allowed to come into the holy of holies, which otherwise was peculiar to the high priest, Hebrews 9:7.

The covering veil; the second veil; of which see Exodus 26:31, &c. Leviticus 4:6 Hebrews 9:3; where, with the ark was covered while the tabernacle stood, Exodus 40:3. And

cover the ark; because the Levites, who were to carry the ark, might neither see nor immediately touch it.

By

the covering of badgers’ skins the ark was secured from the injuries of the weather:.

Object. How could these staves be put in, when they were never to be taken out, Exodus 25:15, compared with 1 Kings 8:8.

Answ. 1. These places may speak of the staves while the ark and tabernacle stood, but when they were to be removed the posture of all things was altered.

2. The Hebrew verb doth not signify putting in, but barely putting, or placing, or disposing, and may be understood not of putting the staves into the rings, wherein they constantly remained, but of the putting of them either upon their shoulders to try and fit them for carriage, or into the holes or receptacles which probably were made in these coverings for the receiving and covering of these gilded staves, to keep them both from the touch of the Levites, and from the inconveniences of bad weather.

Of shew-bread, Heb. of faces or presence, for of the bread of faces or presence, i.e. of the bread which was continually standing in the presence of the Lord.

The dishes, upon which the shew-bread was put.

The continual bread, i.e. shew-bread; so called because it was continually to be there, even in the wilderness; where though they had only manna for themselves, yet they reserved corn for the weekly making of these loaves, which they might with no great difficulty procure from some of the people bordering upon the wilderness in the innermost parts whereof they were.

No text from Poole on this verse.