1
Nu 4:1-49.
英文原文
Nu 4:1-49.
OF THE LEVITES' SERVICE.
2
無標題
2, 3. 哥轄子孫，從三十歲直到五十歲——這年齡是特別指定的（參
Nu 8:24）， 因它正是體力最盛、足以勝任曠野中所派之繁重勞役的歲數，也是心智活躍、足以協助辦理聖事的時期。施洗約翰和基督也正是於此年齡開始各自的職事。
直到五十歲——實際當值的期限是二十年，期滿後便可免去皮肉之勞，但仍要在帳幕中伺候
(Nu 8:26)。
凡前來任職的——他們因人數眾多、紀律嚴明、又專責看守帳幕，故有此稱。然而希伯來文此字也含「崗位」或「職任」之意，故本句也可譯作「凡前來辦理祭司職任的」
(Nu 4:23)。
英文原文
2, 3. sons of Kohath, from thirty years old and upward--This age was specifically fixed (see on
Nu 8:24)
as the full maturity of bodily energy to perform the laborious duties assigned them in the wilderness, as well as of mental activity to assist in the management of the sacred services. And it was the period of life at which John the Baptist and Christ entered on their respective ministries.
even unto fifty--The term prescribed for active duty was a period of twenty years, at the end of which they were exempted from the physical labors of the office, though still expected to attend in the tabernacle
(Nu 8:26).
all that enter into the host--so called from their number, the order and discipline maintained through their ranks, and their special duty as guards of the tabernacle. The Hebrew word, however, signifies also a station or office; and hence the passage may be rendered, "All that enter into the sacerdotal office"
(Nu 4:23).
4
無標題
4-15. 哥轄子孫所要辦的事乃是這樣等——他們因與亞倫關係密切而最先被提及；以色列人行程中派給他們的專門職責，與他們受託照管帳幕貴重內物的職分相符。但這些物件須先由普通祭司遮蓋——普通祭司和大祭司一樣，在這類必要的場合可進入聖所。這是一般規則的例外，因為一般規則禁止大祭司以外的人進入。但雲彩從帳幕移開時，普通祭司可以進入聖所，因為收拾聖具的特權唯獨留給他們；直到聖物這樣預備好可以搬運，哥轄人才獲准上前。
英文原文
4-15. This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath, &c.--They are mentioned first, from their close connection with Aaron; and the special department of duty assigned to them during the journeyings of Israel accorded with the charge they had received of the precious contents of the tabernacle. But these were to be previously covered by the common priests, who, as well as the high priest, were admitted on such necessary occasions into the holy place. This was an exception to the general rule, which prohibited the entrance of any but the high priest. But when the cloud removed from the tabernacle, the sanctuary might be entered by the common priests, as to them was reserved the exclusive privilege of packing the sacred utensils; and it was not till the holy things were thus ready for carriage, that the Kohathites were allowed to approach.
5
無標題
5. 遮掩的幔子——即內幔，用以隔開聖所與至聖所。（參
Ex 36:35）。
英文原文
5. covering veil--the inner veil, which separated the holy from the most holy place. (See on
Ex 36:35).
6
無標題
6. 海狗皮的遮蓋——（參
Ex 25:5）。 然而此處所指的遮蓋，並非帳幕本身的那層，而是為保護約櫃特製的一層。
把杠穿上——這些金杠如今被取了出來。（參
Ex 25:15，
與 1Ki 8:8 對照）。 希伯來文譯作「穿上」的字，亦有「安置」之意，此處大概指把杠穿過遮蓋上特為此而設的孔洞，以使杠不為扛抬者觸碰，也免受風雨侵蝕。當留意的是：這些遮蓋並非帆布或粗篷布，而是兼顧美觀與端莊的一種。
英文原文
6. covering of badgers' skins--(See on
Ex 25:5).
The covering, however, referred to was not that of the tabernacle, but one made for the special purpose of protecting the ark.
put in the staves--These golden staves were now taken out. (See on
Ex 25:15,
compared with
1Ki 8:8).
The Hebrew word rendered "put in," signifies also "dispose," and probably refers here to their insertion through the openings in the coverings made for receiving them, to preserve them from the touch of the carriers as well as from the influence of the weather. It is worthy of notice that the coverings did not consist of canvas or coarse tarpaulin, but of a kind which united beauty with decency.
7
無標題
7. 常設的陳設餅——百姓在曠野雖以嗎哪為糧，聖所的餅卻始終用穀物製成，這些穀物大概是在沙漠中青翠的小塊地上少量種植的。
英文原文
7. continual showbread--Though the people were in the wilderness fed upon manna, the sacred loaves were constantly made of corn, which was probably raised in small quantities from the verdant patches of the desert.
10
無標題
10. 一根杠——或作抬床，由兩根杠以兩條橫木相連而成，由兩人扛抬，狀如轎子。
英文原文
10. a bar--or bier, formed of two poles fastened by two cross pieces and borne by two men, after the fashion of a sedan chair.
12
無標題
12. 事奉用的器具——即祭司的職任禮服
(Ex 31:10)。
英文原文
12. instruments of ministry--the official dress of the priests
(Ex 31:10).
13
無標題
13. 要收去壇上的灰等——必須從壇上收灰，這顯然暗示曠野中有獻祭之事（參
Ex 18:12; 24:4）， 雖然那悖逆的世代似乎屢屢忽略這本分
(Am 5:25)。 聖火未見明文提及；但既奉神命常燃不滅，必已轉移到遮蓋之下的某個盤或盆中，由指定的扛抬者搬運。
英文原文
13. shall take away the ashes from the altar, &c.--The necessity of removing ashes from the altar plainly implies that sacrifices were offered in the wilderness (compare
Ex 18:12; 24:4),
though that rebellious race seems frequently to have neglected the duty
(Am 5:25).
No mention is made of the sacred fire; but as, by divine command, it was to be kept constantly burning, it must have been transferred to some pan or brazier under the covering, and borne by the appointed carriers.
15
無標題
15. 哥轄的子孫就要來抬，只是不可摸聖物，免得他們死亡——搬運的方式是放在利未人肩上（參
Nu 7:9）， 雖然後來也用過有輪車輛
(2Sa 6:3; 1Ch 15:12)。 遮蓋物可以觸摸，被遮蓋之物卻不可摸——違者必死；這刑罰不止一次執行過
(1Sa 6:19; 2Sa 6:6, 7)。 這嚴厲的警告，是要在那些辦理聖事之人的心中，培植一種深刻而持久的敬畏之情。
英文原文
15. the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it, but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die--The mode of transport was upon the shoulders of the Levites (see on
Nu 7:9),
although afterwards wheeled vehicles were employed
(2Sa 6:3; 1Ch 15:12).
And it was allowed to touch the covering, but not the things covered, on the penalty of death, which was inflicted more than once
(1Sa 6:19; 2Sa 6:6, 7).
This stern denunciation was designed to inspire a sentiment of deep and habitual reverence in the minds of those who were officially engaged about holy things.
16
無標題
16. 燈油的料和香……屬以利亞撒……所管的——他受託專責督理那班扛抬聖具的人；此外，每日事奉所必需的材料也親自交他看管，使他隨時可以取用
(Ex 29:38)。
英文原文
16. to the office of Eleazar . . . pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, &c.--He was charged with the special duty of superintending the squadron who were employed in the carrying of the sacred furniture; besides, to his personal care were committed the materials requisite for the daily service, and which it was necessary he should have easily at his command
(Ex 29:38).
17
無標題
17-20. 你們不可將哥轄人的各族從利未人中間剪除等——這是對摩西和亞倫的嚴肅告誡：當心因自己的疏忽而使混亂和不當之事潛入，並要格外留心，使這重要事奉的各部分都分派給適當的人，免得哥轄人因此不能盡其崇高尊榮的職責。若負責督導的祭司未給予正確指示、或任人對聖物有絲毫不敬的狎暱，其死罪便要歸到他身上。
英文原文
17-20. Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites, &c.--a solemn admonition to Moses and Aaron to beware, lest, by any negligence on their part, disorder and improprieties should creep in, and to take the greatest care that all the parts of this important service be apportioned to the proper parties, lest the Kohathites should be disqualified for their high and honorable duties. The guilt of their death would be incurred by the superintending priest, if he failed to give proper directions or allowed any irreverent familiarity with sacred things.
24
無標題
24-28. 革順人各族所要辦的事等——他們被指派搬運「帳幕的幔子」——即帳棚的山羊毛蓋——那十幅巧工的幔子、入口處繡花的簾子，連同其紅色海豹皮蓋等。
英文原文
24-28. This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, &c.--They were appointed to carry "the curtains of the tabernacle"--that is, the goats' hair covering of the tent--the ten curious curtains and embroidered hangings at the entrance, with their red morocco covering, &c.
28
無標題
28. 他們所當辦的，要在亞倫的兒子以他瑪的手下等——利未人在辦理帳幕的日常事務上，通常受祭司的正式指揮。但在行程中，以利亞撒既為父親的繼承人，便特別負責哥轄人
[Nu 4:16]，
而他的兄弟以他瑪則監管革順人與米拉利人
[Nu 4:33]。
英文原文
28. their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron, &c.--The Levites were generally subject to the official command of the priests in doing the ordinary work of the tabernacle. But during the journeyings Eleazar, who was next in succession to his father, took the special charge of the Kohathites
[Nu 4:16],
while his brother Ithamar had the superintendence of the Gershonites and Merarites
[Nu 4:33].
29
無標題
29-33. 至於米拉利之子孫——他們搬運較粗糙、較沉重的器具，然而這些器具既如此重要且必要，故要為其保存清單——不僅因其數量與種類繁多，也因其相對的平凡與細小，可能因疏忽、大意或遺漏而導致遺失或缺落。這是一個有益的功課，表明神不輕看任何與祂事奉有關的事物，即使在最小、最微不足道的事上，祂也要求人盡上忠心順服的本分。
英文原文
29-33. As for the sons of Merari--They carried the coarser and heavier appurtenances, which, however, were so important and necessary, that an inventory was kept of them--not only on account of their number and variety, but of their comparative commonness and smallness, which might have led to their being lost or missing through carelessness, inadvertency, or neglect. It was a useful lesson, showing that God disregards nothing pertaining to His service, and that even in the least and most trivial matters, He requires the duty of faithful obedience.
34
無標題
34-49. 摩西、亞倫與會眾的首領數點哥轄子孫等——這次數點的原則，與前一章所記的不同
[Nu 3:15]。
那次僅限於一個月以上的男子，而這次則擴及利未支派三個等級中所有能辦事的人。在考慮他們相對的人數時，神聖護理的智慧便顯明出來：哥轄人與革順人所搬的物件少而較輕，故只有約三分之一的人適合辦事；米拉利人所搬的物件多而較重，卻有超過一半的人適合這工作〔POOLE〕。這支派人數稀少，遠不及其他支派，其解釋可參見（Nu 3:39）。
英文原文
34-49. Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites, &c.--This enumeration was made on a different principle from that which is recorded in the preceding chapter
[Nu 3:15].
That was confined to the males from a month old and upward, while this was extended to all capable of service in the three classes of the Levitical tribe. In considering their relative numbers, the wisdom of Divine Providence appears in arranging that, whereas in the Kohathites and Gershonites, whose burdens were few and easier, there were but about a third part of them which were fit for service; the Merarites, whose burdens were more and heavier, had above one half of them fit for this work [POOLE]. The small population of this tribe, so inferior to that of the other tribes, is attempted to be explained (see on
Nu 3:39).
Nu 4:1-49.
論利未人的事奉。