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Aaron being now fully established in the priesthood abundantly to his own satisfaction, and to the satisfaction of the people (which was the good that God brought out of the evil opposition made to him), in this chapter God gives him full instructions concerning his office or rather repeats those which he had before given him. He tells him, I. What must be his work and the care and charge committed to him, and what assistance he should have the Levites in that work, Nu 18:1-7. II. What should be his and the Levites' wages for this work. 1. The perquisites or fees peculiar to the priests, Nu 18:8-19. 2. The settled maintenance of the Levites, Nu 18:20-24. III. The portion which must be paid to the priests out of the Levites' maintenance, Nu 18:25-32. Thus every one knew what he had to do, and what he had to live upon.
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The Service of the Priests and Levites (1490 BC)
繁體中文
祭司與利未人的職任（主前1490年）
¹ 耶和華對亞倫說：「你和你的兒子，並你父家的人，要一同擔當干犯聖所的罪孽；你和你的兒子，也要擔當干犯祭司職任的罪孽。
² 你也要带你弟兄利未支派，就是你祖支派的人，与你一同前来，使他们与你联合，服事你；只是你和你的儿子，要在法柜的帐幕前供职。
³ 他们要守所吩咐你的，并守全帐幕，只是不可挨近圣所的器具和坛，免得他们和你们都死亡。
⁴ 他们要与你联合，也要看守会幕，办理帐幕一切的事，只是外人不可挨近你们。
⁵ 你们要看守圣所和坛，免得忿怒再临到以色列人。
⁶ 我已将你们的弟兄利未人，从以色列人中拣选出来归耶和华为赏赐，给你们，在会幕中办事。
⁷ 你和你的儿子要为一切关于坛和幔子内的事，一同守祭司的职任；你们要这样供职，我将祭司的职任赐给你们为赏赐；外人若挨近，必被治死。」
本章與前章之間的關聯十分明顯。
一、百姓在前章末了曾抱怨說，親近神是何等艱難危險的事，這使他們心中充滿懼怕，以為那原盼望成為他們喜樂與榮耀、住在他們中間的帳幕，反倒要成為他們的驚嚇與毀滅。如今為回應這抱怨，神在此藉亞倫曉諭他們，祭司要作為他們的代表替他們就近神；這樣，百姓雖被要求保持距離，卻不至因此蒙羞受損，反要藉著祭司的居間代求，得與神保持相交的安慰。
二、神近來大大尊榮了亞倫；當眾首領的杖仍舊枯乾，既無果子也無裝飾之時，他的杖卻發芽開花。如今為免亞倫因所得恩寵豐厚、為維護其崇高職分所行的奇事而心生驕傲，神就臨到他，提醒他祭司職分所擔負的責任與當盡的本分。他若想到所託付的責任何等重大、要交帳何等不易，就當知道不應以自己的高升為誇口，反要以敬畏戰兢的心領受這職分的尊榮。不要心高氣傲，倒要恐懼。
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神告訴他隨其尊位而來的危險（民十八1）。（1）祭司與利未人（你、你的兒子和你父家）要擔當聖所的罪孽；意思是說，若聖所被外人擅入，或被不潔之人褻瀇，罪責就要歸到利未人和祭司身上，因他們本當阻止這些人靠近。那擅敢闖入的罪人雖必死在自己的罪中，他的血卻要向守望的人追討。這話也可更廣義地理解：「聖所的職任若有任何疏忽，事奉若不按節令或不照律法而行，遷移帳幕時若有遺失或錯置，你們都要為此負責，後果自負。」（2）祭司本身要擔當祭司職任的罪孽；意思是說，他們若疏忽了職責的任何部分，或任憑別人侵佔其職分、奪去他們當作的工，就要擔當其過犯。當注意，所託付我們的職事與權柄越大，因辜負職任而招致的罪咎也越大。這正是我們不應嫉妒別人的尊榮，也不應自己貪求高位的好理由，因為尊位使人更易陷於罪中。受託看守聖所的人，要交的帳何等多。想到看顧靈魂當交的帳，誰還願意貪求這職分呢？
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神告訴他隨其尊位而來的本分。（1）他和他兒子要在法柜的帳幕前供職（民十八2）；照帕特里克主教（bishop Patrick）的解釋，就是在內藏約櫃的至聖所外面、幔子之外，卻在會幕的門內。他們要看守金壇、陳設餅桌子和燈臺，這些是利未人不可就近的。你們要供職（民十八7）。不是「你們要掌權」（神從未定意要他們在神的產業上轄制人），而是「你們要事奉神和會眾」。當注意，祭司職分就是一種事奉。人若想要得監督的職分，就是羨慕善工。傳道人當記得自己是執事，就是僕人，理所當然要謙卑、勤勉、忠心。（2）利未人要協助他和他兒子，在帳幕一切的事奉上服事他們（民十八2-4），但他們絕不可就近聖所的器具，也不可在壇前獻脂油、灑血等要緊的事上插手。亞倫的家族人丁稀少，即便將來繁衍，以色列其餘各支派也必同樣增多，因此祭司的人手不論現今或將來都不足以應付帳幕一切的事奉；所以（神說）利未人要與你聯合（民十八2，又民十八4），這裏似乎暗指「利未」這名字的意思就是「聯合」。利未人中近來有許多曾與亞倫作對，但從今以後神應許他們必在利害與情感上誠心與亞倫聯合，不再與他相爭。神感動有關之人的心來擁戴亞倫，這對亞倫是神悅納他的明證。經上說利未人是當作賞賜賜給祭司的（民十八6）。當注意，在事奉神的事上，有人與我們聯合、成為我們的幫助，這是神豐富恩典的極大賞賜，我們當看為寶貴。（3）祭司和利未人都當謹慎防備聖物被褻瀇。利未人要看守帳幕，免得外人（即因任何緣故被禁止靠近的人）挨近（民十八4），違者必被治死（民十八7）。祭司則要看守聖所（民十八5），要教導百姓、提醒他們當守的當守距離，不可任憑他們越過所定的界限，像可拉一黨所行的那樣，免得忿怒再臨到以色列人。當注意，防止犯罪就是防止忿怒；罪所造成的禍患，當作為今後警惕的鑑戒，使我們在自己和別人身上都嚴加防備。
⁸ 耶和華對亞倫說：「我已將以色列人所獻一切舉祭中的聖物賜給你為業；因你受膏，我將這些賜給你和你的兒子，當作永得的分。
⁹ 至聖之物中，免於火的都要歸你：他們所獻的一切素祭、一切贖罪祭、一切贖愆祭，凡他們獻給我的，都要歸你和你子孫為至聖。
¹⁰ 你要在至聖的處所吃它；凡男丁都可以吃；你當以此為聖。
¹¹ 這也是你的：他們所獻禮物中的舉祭，並以色列人一切搖祭，我都賜給你和你兒女，作永遠的定例；凡在你家中潔淨的人都可以吃。
¹² 凡最好的油、最好的酒和麥子，就是他們獻給耶和華的初熟之物，我都賜給你。
¹³ 凡國中初熟的，他們獻給耶和華的，都要歸你；凡在你家中潔淨的人都可以吃。
¹⁴ 凡以色列中永獻的物都要歸你。
¹⁵ 凡頭生的，無論是人是牲畜，他們獻給耶和華的，無論是人是獸，都要歸你；只是人頭生的你必要贖，不潔淨牲畜頭生的也要贖。
¹⁶ 其中在一個月以外當贖的，你要按你的估定價，照聖所的平，用銀子五舍客勒贖回，就是二十季拉。
¹⁷ 只是頭生的牛、綿羊或山羊，不可贖；牠們是聖的：你要把牠們的血灑在壇上，把脂油焚燒當作火祭，獻給耶和華為馨香的氣味。
¹⁸ 牠們的肉要歸你，像搖祭的胸和右腿歸你一樣。
¹⁹ 凡以色列人所獻給耶和華聖物中的舉祭，我都賜給你和你的兒女，當作永遠的定例；這是在你和你的後裔面前，在耶和華面前作為永遠的鹽約。」
祭司的事奉被稱為一場爭戰；有誰當兵自備糧餉呢？他們既殷勤作工，就也得了豐富的供應和優厚的報酬。沒有人可以白白地事奉神。一切信徒都是屬靈的祭司，神已應許看顧他們；他們必住在地上，必得飽足，不缺任何好處。敬虔在本世也有應許。使徒從此處為祭司所預備的豐富供應推論，供養傳道人是基督教會的本分；那伺候祭壇的，就靠祭壇養生。所以傳福音的人當靠福音養生，並當安舒度日（林前九13-14）。微薄的供給會養出敗壞的傳道人。如今當注意：1. 為他們所預備的供應，有許多是出於他們自己所獻的祭。他們得了幾乎所有祭牲的皮可以出售，又從素祭、贖罪祭等得了相當可觀的一分。受託獻祭的人也得了其中的益處（民十八8）。當注意，神的工作本身就是工價，事奉神本身就帶著報酬。就是遵守神的誡命，也有大賞賜。宗教在今世所得的喜樂，就是其報酬的一部分。2. 他們不但有豐盛的飲食，口袋裏也有贖長子和不可獻為祭的頭生牲畜所得的銀錢。他們所得的供應，使他們得以完全脫離今生事務的牽絆；他們沒有田地可耕，沒有土地可種，沒有葡萄園可打理，沒有牛群可牧放，沒有可見的產業要照料，收入卻比任何其他家族更為豐足。神如此安排，為要使他們更專心於職事，不被世俗的掛慮或事務所分心或攪擾（事奉神需要全人擺上）；也使他們成為憑信心生活的榜樣，不僅信靠神的護理，也信靠神的定規。他們過的是「從手到口」的生活，好學會不為明日憂慮；每日的供應每日充足即可：他們沒有產業可留給兒女，好使他們憑信心將兒女交託給那一生養活他們的神。3. 為他們預備的飲食中，有的是至聖的（民十八9-10），只可由祭司自己在會幕的院內吃；另有一些次要的聖物，他們的家人也可以在自家吃，只要潔淨即可（民十八11-13）。見利二十一10-12等。4. 命令規定，最好的油、最好的酒和麥子當作初熟之物獻給耶和華，歸祭司所得（民十八12）。當注意，我們總要拿我們最好的來事奉神、尊榮神，因為祂是至善者，最配得；祂是首先的，所以也當得初熟的果子。凡想拿次等之物來應付神、以為可以省下花費的，不過是自欺，因為神是不可輕慢的。5. 這一切賜給祭司，都是因受膏的緣故（民十八8）。他們得以領受這些供奉，並非因他們個人比其他以色列人更優越——這是他們當知道的；純粹是因他們受膏所承擔的職分。照樣，賜給屬主百姓的一切安慰，都是因他們所受的膏抹而賜下的。經上說這是當作永遠的定例賜給他們的（民十八8），且是永遠的鹽約（民十八19）。只要祭司的職分存續，這供應就當存續，使這燈不因缺油而熄滅。照樣，神也已預備，使福音的職事可一直延續到基督再來，這是永遠的定例。看哪，我常與你們同在（這就是他們的供應與扶持），直到世界的末了。感謝救贖主，這是祂所命定存到千代的道。
英文原文
The Service of the Priests and Levites (1490 BC)
¹ And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.
² And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness.
³ And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die.
⁴ And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.
⁵ And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.
⁶ And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
⁷ Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
The coherence of this chapter with that foregoing is very observable.
I. The people, in the close of that chapter, had complained of the difficulty and peril that there were in drawing near to God, which put them under some dreadful apprehensions that the tabernacle in the midst of them, which they hoped would have been their joy and glory, would rather be their terror and ruin. Now, in answer to this complaint, God here gives them to understand by Aaron that the priests should come near for them as their representatives; so that, though the people were obliged to keep their distance, yet that should not at all redound to their disgrace or prejudice, but their comfortable communion with God should be kept up by the interposition of the priests.
II. A great deal of honour God had now lately put upon Aaron; his rod had budded and blossomed, when the rods of the rest of the princes remained dry, and destitute both of fruit and ornament. Now lest Aaron should be puffed up with the abundance of the favours that were done him, and the miracles that were wrought for the support of him in his high station, God comes to him to remind him of the burden that was laid upon him, and the duty required from him as a priest. He would see reason not to be proud of his preferment, but to receive the honours of his office with reverence and holy trembling, when he considered how great was the charge committed to him, and how hard it would be for him to give a good account of it. Be not high-minded, but fear.
1. God tells him of the danger that attended his dignity, Nu 18:1. (1.) That both the priests and Levites (thou, and thy sons, and thy father's house) should bear the iniquity of the sanctuary; that is, if the sanctuary were profaned by the intrusion of strangers, or persons in their uncleanness, the blame should lie upon the Levites and priests, who ought to have kept them off. Though the sinner that thrust in presumptuously should die in his iniquity, yet his blood should be required at the hands of the watchmen. Or it may be taken more generally: "If any of the duties or offices of the sanctuary be neglected, if any service be not done in its season or not according to the law, if any thing be lost or misplaced in the removal of the sanctuary, you shall be accountable for it, and answer it at your peril." (2.) That the priests should themselves bear the iniquity of the priesthood; that is, if they either neglected any part of their work or permitted any other persons to invade their office, and take their work out of their hands, they should bear the blame of it. Note, The greater the trust is of work and power that is committed to us the greater is our danger of contracting guilt, by falsifying and betraying that trust. This is a good reason why we should neither be envious at others' honours nor ambitious ourselves of high places, because great dignity exposes us to great iniquity. Those that are entrusted with the charge of the sanctuary will have a great deal to answer for. Who would covet the care of souls who considers the account that must be given of that care?
2. He tells him of the duty that attended his dignity. (1.) That he and his sons must minister before the tabernacle of witness (Nu 18:2); that is (as bishop Patrick explains it), before the most holy place, in which the ark was, on the outside of the veil of that tabernacle, but within the door of the tabernacle, of the congregation. They were to attend the golden altar, the table, and candlestick, which no Levite might approach to. You shall serve, Nu 18:7. Not, "You shall rule" (it was never intended that they should lord it over God's heritage), but "You shall serve God and the congregation." Note, The priesthood is a service. If any desire the office of a bishop he desires a good work. Ministers must remember that they are ministers, that is, servants, of whom it is required that they be humble, diligent, and faithful. (2.) That the Levites must assist him and his sons, and minister to them in all the service of the tabernacle (Nu 18:2-4), though they must by no means come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary, nor at the altar meddle with the great services of burning the fat and sprinkling the blood. Aaron's family was very small, and, as it increased, the rest of the families of Israel would increase likewise, so that the hands of the priests neither were now nor were likely to be sufficient for all the service of the tabernacle; therefore (says God) the Levites shall be joined to thee, Nu 18:2, and again Nu 18:4, where there seems to be an allusion to the name of Levi, which signifies joined. Many of the Levites had of late set themselves against Aaron, but henceforward God promises that they should be heartily joined to him in interest and affection, and should no more contest with him. It was a good sign to Aaron that God owned him when he inclined the hearts of those concerned to own him too. The Levites are said to be given as a gift to the priests, Nu 18:6. Note, We are to value it as a great gift of the divine bounty to have those joined to us that will be helpful and serviceable to us in the service of God. (3.) That both priests and Levites must carefully watch against the profanation of sacred things. The Levites must keep the charge of the tabernacle, that no stranger (that is, none who upon any account was forbidden to come) might come nigh (Nu 18:4), and that upon pain of death, Nu 18:7. And the priests must keep the charge of the sanctuary (Nu 18:5), must instruct the people, and admonish them concerning the due distance they were to keep, and not suffer them to break the bounds set them, as Korah's company had done, that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. Note, The preventing of sin is the preventing of wrath; and the mischief sin has done should be a warning to us for the future to watch against it both in ourselves and others.
⁸ And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.
⁹ This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.
¹⁰ In the most holy place shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee.
¹¹ And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.
¹² All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.
¹³ And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it.
¹⁴ Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine.
¹⁵ Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.
¹⁶ And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.
¹⁷ But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
¹⁸ And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine.
¹⁹ All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.
The priest's service is called a warfare; and who goes a warfare at his own charges? As they were well employed, so they were well provided for, and well paid. None shall serve God for nought. All believers are spiritual priests, and God has promised to take care of them; they shall dwell in the land, and verily they shall be fed, and shall not want any good thing. Godliness has the promise of the life that now is. And from this plentiful provision here made for the priests the apostle infers that it is the duty of Christian churches to maintain their ministers; those that served at the altar lived upon the altar. So those that preach the gospel should live upon the gospel, and live comfortably, 1Co 9:13,14. Scandalous maintenance makes scandalous ministers. Now observe, 1. That much of the provision that was made for them arose out of the sacrifices which they themselves were employed to offer. They had the skins of almost all the sacrifices, which they might sell, and they had a considerable share out of the meat-offerings, sin-offerings, etc. Those that had the charge of the offerings had the benefit, Nu 18:8. Note, God's work is its own wages, and his service carries its recompence along with it. Even in keeping God's commandments there is great reward. The present pleasures of religion are part of its pay. 2. That they had not only a good table kept for them, but money likewise in their pockets for the redemption of the first-born, and those firstlings of cattle which might not be offered in sacrifice. Thus their maintenance was such as left them altogether disentangled from the affairs of this life; they had no grounds to occupy, no land to till, no vineyards to dress, no cattle to tend, no visible estate to take care of, and yet had a more plentiful income than any other families whatsoever. Thus God ordered it that they might be the more entirely addicted to their ministry, and not diverted from it, nor disturbed in it, by any worldly care or business (the ministry requires a whole man); and that they might be examples of living by faith, not only in God's providence, but in his ordinance. They lived from hand to mouth, that they might learn to take no thought for the morrow; sufficient for the day would be the provision thereof: and they had no estates to leave their children, that they might by faith leave their children, that they might by faith leave them to the care of that God who had fed them all their lives long. 3. Of the provision that was made for their tables some is said to be most holy (Nu 18:9,10), which was to be eaten by the priests themselves, and in the court of the tabernacle only; but other perquisites were less holy, of which their families might eat, at their own houses, provided they were clean, Nu 18:11-13. See Le 21:10-12, etc. 4. It is commanded that the best of the oil, and the best of the wine and wheat, should be offered for the first-fruits unto the Lord, which the priest were to have, Nu 18:12. Note, We must always serve and honour God with the best we have, for he is the best, and best deserves it; he is the first, and therefore must have the first ripe. Those that think to save charges by putting God off with the refuse do but deceive themselves, for God is not mocked. 5. All this is given to the priests by reason of the anointing, Nu 18:8. It was not for the sake of their personal merits above other Israelites that they had these tributes paid to them, be it known unto them; but purely for the sake of the office to which they were anointed. Thus all the comforts that are given to the Lord's people are given them by reason of the anointing which they have received. It is said to be given them by an ordinance for ever (Nu 18:8), and it is a covenant of salt for ever, Nu 18:19. As long as the priesthood should continue this should continue to be the maintenance of it, that this lamp might not go out for want of oil to keep it burning. Thus provision is made that a gospel ministry should continue till Christ comes, by an ordinance for ever. Lo, I am with you (that is their maintenance and support) always, even to the end of the world. Thanks be to the Redeemer, it is the word which he has commanded to a thousand generations.
20-32
The Priests and Levites Provided For (1490 BC)
繁體中文
祭司和利未人的供給（主前 1490 年）
²⁰ 耶和華對亞倫說：你在他們的地業上必無分，在他們中間也無業；我就是你的分，是你的產業，在以色列人中。 ²¹ 凡以色列中出產的十分之一，我已賜給利未的子孫為業，因為他們所辦的事，就是會幕的事。 ²² 從今以後，以色列人不可挨近會幕，免得他們擔罪而死。 ²³ 惟獨利未人要辦理會幕的事，擔當罪孽；這要作你們世世代代永遠的定例：在以色列人中，他們不可有產業。 ²⁴ 因為以色列人中獻給耶和華為舉祭的十分之一，我已賜給利未人為業；所以我對他們說：在以色列人中他們不可有產業。 ²⁵ 耶和華對摩西說： ²⁶ 你曉諭利未人說：你們從以色列人手中取十分之一，就是我給你們作你們產業的，要從其中將舉祭獻給耶和華，就是十分之一的十分之一。 ²⁷ 這舉祭要算為你們的，好像禾場上的穀、酒醡的滿溢一樣。 ²⁸ 這樣，你們從以色列人所得的十分之一，也要獻給耶和華為舉祭；這獻給耶和華的舉祭，要歸給祭司亞倫。 ²⁹ 在你們一切的禮物中，要把至好的、就是分別為聖的，獻給耶和華為舉祭。 ³⁰ 所以你要對他們說：你們將其中至好的舉獻，就這樣算為利未人禾場上的穀、酒醡的出產一樣。 ³¹ 你們和你們的家屬隨處都可以吃；這原是你們的賞賜，作為你們在會幕辦事的報酬。 ³² 你們從其中將至好的舉獻，就不至因這物擔罪；你們不可褻瀆以色列人的聖物，免得死亡。
此處進一步說明從全地的出產中為利未人和祭司所作的供給。
一、他們在這地不可有產業；以後只允許他們有可居住的城邑，卻沒有可耕種的田地：「你在他們中間也無業」（民 18:20）。這話在民 18:23 又重複一次，在民 18:24 又說一次：「在以色列人中他們不可有產業」——無論是藉購買還是藉繼承。神要他們得著舒適的供應，卻不要他們的家族過於富足，免得他們自視高過其工資所要求和所要求他們不斷從事的工作。正如以色列是特殊的子民，不列在萬民之中，利未也是特殊的支派，不像其他支派那樣定居，而在各樣事上與他們有別。他們在這地為何不可有產業，有個好的理由：因為神說，「我就是你的分，是你的產業。」當注意：凡以神為永遠產業和分的人，都當以聖潔的輕看和淡漠對待這世上的產業，不貪圖其中的分。「耶和華是我的分，因此我要仰望他」，而不倚靠我在這地上所有的任何東西（哀 3:24）。利未人沒有產業，卻生活得十分舒適豐足——這教導我們，护理有各樣的方式供養那些倚靠它而活的人；飛鳥不種卻得餵養，百合花不紡卻得穿衣，利未人在以色列中沒有產業，卻比任何其他支派活得更好。那個關於以色列人不可挨近會幕的警告，雖然略顯突兀，卻插得很合宜（民 18:22）。它似乎與關於祭司和利未人在以色列中不可有產業的條例相對照，為要表明神如何以不同方式分配他的恩惠。利未人有事奉帳幕的尊榮，這是以色列人所沒有的；但以色列人有迦南產業的尊榮，這是利未人所沒有的；這樣，兩者都既不致彼此嫉妒，也不致彼此輕視，兩者都有理由為自己的分歡喜。以色列人不可挨近會幕，但利未人卻在這地不可有產業；若傳道人期望百姓留在自己的本位、不干涉聖職，他們自己也當留在本位、不纏累於世俗事務。
二、但他們二者都要得地裡的十分之一。除了撥歸祭司的初熟之物——猶太人說是五十分之一，至少是六十分之一——之外，十分之一也撥歸他們。1. 利未人得百姓出產的十分之一（民 18:21）：「我已賜給」（萬物都是他的）「以色列中出產的十分之一」，就是各樣土產的十分之一，給利未的子孫，按公正的比例分給他們，「因為他們所辦的事」。利未是十二支派中最小的，然而除了其他一切好處之外，他們還得年度利潤的十分之一，而無需耕種撒種的勞苦和花費；神對那些奉獻歸他事奉的人照顧得如此周到；不僅使他們得著妥善供養，更使他們因全國對他們為公眾所行之善事的承認而得尊榮，並被承認為神的代理人和收取者；因為那作為舉祭——向耶和華向上舉起的祭物——的，由他指定歸給利未人。2. 祭司有利未人所得十分之一中的十分之一歸給他們。關於這事的命令，摩西受指示要向利未人頒布——神要他們甘心樂意地獻上，而不是讓祭司以權柄索取：「你曉諭利未人」，要由他們獻上，而不是向他們徵收。如今當注意：（1）利未人要從他們所得的十分之一中獻上神當得的分，正如以色列人要從他們的出產中獻上一樣。他們是神的佃戶，當向神交租，其職任並不免除他們這本分。照樣如今，傳道人也當從他們所收入的慷慨施捨；他們白白地領受，就當白白地給，並作慷慨的榜樣。「你們要獻舉祭給耶和華」（民 18:26）。那些被用以協助別人靈修的人，必須確保自己向神獻上當獻的舉祭。向神舉起的禱告和讚美，或更確切地說，在其中舉起的心，如今就是我們的舉祭。這（神說）要*「算為你們，好像禾場上的穀」；就是說，這雖不是他們地裡的果子，也不是他們自己勞力所得——正如其他以色列人的十分之一那樣——但因為是從他們所有的而來，就必蒙悅納，使一切其餘的都成為聖潔。（2）這要歸給祭司亞倫*（民 18:28），以及繼任他作大祭司的人，由他們按所看為合宜的比例分給和分配給較低的祭司。本章前半所定的祭司職任的大部分收益，是來自祭物，那些經常在祭壇前供職的祭司便得其益處；但因為在鄉間有許多祭司從事教導和治理的工作，利未人所收的這些十分之一，大概是由大祭司指定作為他們的生活供應。博學的帕特里克主教有一個合理的推測：這最後一個十分之一的十分之一，是留給大祭司本人的，以維持他的體面和尊嚴；因為除此之外我們讀不到有為他另設的特殊供應。（3）當利未人這樣將其收入的十分之一獻為舉祭給耶和華之後，其餘的九分他們就可以舒暢地享受了（民 18:30）：「你們既將其中至好的舉獻了（因為神的那分總當是至好的），你們就可以吃其餘的——不是當作聖物，而是與其他以色列人享受自己那分時一樣自由——「隨處都可以吃，你們和你們的家屬」」（民 18:31）。在此請看，我們當如何才能舒暢地享受一切世上的所有，而不因其擔罪，如下文所記（民 18:32）。[1.] 我們必須確保我們所有的，是誠實得來的，且是在事奉神中得來的。那是*「你們的賞賜，作為你們辦事的報酬」；先賺來的糧食才是最美味的；但「若有人不肯做工，就不可吃飯」（帖後 3:10）。那似乎是特別論到有舒暢和滿足的，就是在會幕中忠心事奉的報酬。[2.] 我們必須確保神在其中得了他當得的分。我們用我們的財物尊榮耶和華，那時才得享我們財物的舒暢。「你們將其中至好的舉獻了，就不至因這物擔罪。」這暗示我們絕不可毫無畏懼地養肥自己，免得我們的筵席成為網羅，我們就因此擔罪；因此我們當留意「將當納的十分之一獻上」*，使一切都為我們成為潔淨和舒暢。
英文原文
The Priests and Levites Provided For (1490 BC)
²⁰ And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.
²¹ And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
²² Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.
²³ But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.
²⁴ But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
²⁵ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
²⁶ Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.
²⁷ And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.
²⁸ Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD's heave offering to Aaron the priest.
²⁹ Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.
³⁰ Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.
³¹ And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation.
³² And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.
Here is a further account of the provision that was made both for the Levites and for the priests, out of the country.
I. They must have no inheritance in the land; only cities to dwell in were afterwards allowed them, but no ground to occupy: Thou shalt not have any part among them, Nu 18:20. It is repeated again Nu 18:23, and again Nu 18:24, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance, either by purchase or descent. God would have them comfortably provided for, but would not have their families over-rich, lest they should think themselves above that work which their wages supposed and obliged them constantly to attend upon. As Israel was a peculiar people, and not to be numbered among the nations, so Levi was a peculiar tribe, and not to be settled as the rest of the tribes, but in all respects distinguished from them. A good reason is given why they must have no inheritance in the land, for, says God, I am thy part, and thy inheritance. Note, Those that have God for their inheritance and their portion for ever ought to look with a holy contempt and indifference upon the inheritances of this world, and not covet their portion in it. "The Lord is my portion, therefore will I hope in him, and not depend upon any thing I have on this earth," La 3:24. The Levites shall have no inheritance, and yet they shall live very comfortably and plentifully—to teach us that Providence has various ways of supporting those that live in a dependence upon it; the fowls reap not, and yet are fed, the lilies spin not, and yet are clothed, the Levites have no inheritance in Israel, and yet live better than any other tribe. The repetition of that caution, that no Israelite should approach the tabernacle, comes in suitable, though somewhat abruptly, Nu 18:22. It seems set in opposition to that order concerning the priests and Levites that they should have no inheritance in Israel, to show how God dispenses his favours variously. The Levites have the honour of attending the tabernacle, which is denied the Israelites; but then the Israelites have the honour of inheritances in Canaan, which is denied the Levites; thus each is kept from either envying or despising the other, and both have reason to rejoice in their lot. The Israelites must not come nigh the tabernacle, but then the Levites must have no inheritance in the land; if ministers expect that people should keep in their sphere, and not intermeddle with sacred offices, let them keep in theirs, and not entangle themselves in secular affairs.
II. But they must both have tithes of the land. Besides the first-fruits which were appropriated to the priests, which, the Jews say, were to be a fiftieth part, or at least a sixtieth, the tithe also was appropriated. 1. The Levites had the tithes of the people's increase (Nu 18:21): I have given (whose the whole is) all the tenths in Israel, of all the productions of the land, to the children of Levi, to be divided among them in just proportions, for their service which they serve. The Levites were the smallest tribe of the twelve, and yet, besides all other advantages, they had a tenth part of the yearly profits, without the trouble and expense of ploughing and sowing; such care did God take of those that were devoted to his service; not only that they might be well maintained, but that they might be honoured with a national acknowledgment of the good services they did to the public, and owned as God's agents and receivers; for that which was a heave-offering, or an offering lifted heavenward unto the Lord, was by him consigned to the Levites. 2. The priests had the tenths of the Levites' tithes settled upon them. The order for this Moses is directed to give to the Levites, whom God would have to pay it with cheerfulness, rather than the priests to demand it with authority: Speak to the Levites that it be offered by them, rather than levied upon them. Now observe, (1.) The Levites were to give God his dues out of their tithes, as well as the Israelites out of their increase. They were God's tenants, and rent was expected from them, nor were they exempted by their office. Thus now, ministers must be charitable out of what they receive; and the more freely they have received the more freely they must give, and be examples of liberality. You shall offer a heave-offering to the Lord, Nu 18:26. Those that are employed to assist the devotions of others must be sure to pay their own, as a heave-offering to the Lord. Prayers and praises lifted up to God, or rather the heart lifted up in them, are now our heave-offerings. This (says God) shall be reckoned to you as though it were the corn of the threshing-floor; that is, though it was not the fruit of their ground, nor of their own labour, as the tithes of other Israelites were, yet being of such as they had it should be accepted, to the sanctifying of all the rest. (2.) This was to be given to Aaron the priest (Nu 18:28), and to his successors the high priests, to be divided and disposed of in such proportions as they should think fit among the inferior priests. Most of the profits of the priests' office, which were appointed in the former part of the chapter, arising from the sacrifices, those priests had the benefit of who constantly attended at the altar; but, forasmuch as there were many priests employed in the country to teach and rule, those tithes taken by the Levites, it is probable, were directed by the high priest for their maintenance. It is the probable conjecture of the learned bishop Patrick that the tenth of this last tenth was reserved for the high priest himself, to support his state and dignity; for otherwise we read not of any peculiar provision made for him. (3.) When the Levites had thus paid the tenth of their income, as a heave-offering to the Lord, they had themselves the comfortable enjoyment of the other nine parts (Nu 18:30): "When you have thus heaved the best from it (for still God's part must be the best) then you shall eat the rest, not as a holy thing, but with the same freedom that the other Israelites eat their part with, in every place, you and your households," Nu 18:31. See here what is the way to have the comfort of all our worldly possessions so as to bear no sin by reason of them, as it follows, Nu 18:32. [1.] We must be sure that what we have be got honestly and in the service of God. It is your reward for your service; that meat is the best eating that is first earned; but, if any will not work, neither shall he eat, 2Th 3:10. And that seems to be spoken of as having a particular comfort and satisfaction in it which is the reward of faithful service done in the tabernacle of the congregation. [2.] We must be sure that God has his dues out of it. Then we have the comfort of our substance when we have honoured the Lord with it. The you shall bear no sin by reason of it, when you have heaved the best from it. This intimates that we must never feed ourselves without fear, lest our table become a snare, and we bear sin by reason of it; and that therefore we are concerned to give alms of such things as we have, that all may be clean and comfortable to us.
亞倫如今已在祭司的職分上充分確立，他自己滿意，百姓也滿意（這是神從反對他的惡事中所帶出的善果）；在本章，神就他的職任給他詳盡的指示，或更確切地說，重申先前已賜給他的指示。神告訴他：一、他的職事是甚麼，所交託他的關顧與職責是甚麼，以及在這職事上他當有利未人怎樣的協助，民 18:1-7。二、他與利未人當得這職事的工價是甚麼：1. 祭司專享的額外所得或酬物，民 18:8-19。2. 利未人固定的供給，民 18:20-24。三、當從利未人的供給中繳給祭司的部分，民 18:25-32。如此，各人都知道自己當作甚麼，又當靠甚麼而活。