Numbers 4

Numbers 4:3

FRom thirty] These were to beare the heavier things of the Tabernacle, which were to be carried by men. The time of the Levites beginning their service of the Sanctuary was at the age of twenty five, Chap. 8. 24. and for some services, and for preparation to a compleat ministration, they were sometimes taken at twenty yeares of age. See Annot. on Chap. 3. vers. 15.

Numbers 4:5

take downe] viz. When the Tabernacle was to be removed; it is hence probable that the inferiour Priests might come into the Holy of Holies, (though not to minister, for that was peculiar to the High-priest,) to remove it, and the things that were in it.

covering vaile] Which divided the Sanctuary from the Holy-est of all. What a covering this was; see Exodus 26. vers. 31, 32, 33.

Numbers 4:6

staves thereof] Or, barres; That is, put them upon their shoulders to carry it, for the staves of the Arke were not to be removed.

Numbers 4:7

Shew-bread] See Annot. on Exodus 25:30.

continuall bread] The Shew-bread was called continuall bread, because it was to continue on the Table all the weeke, untill the Sabbath, and then the old was taken away, and the new set in the place thereof, Exodus 25:30. Leviticus 24:8.

Numbers 4:11

golden Altar] Which was for the burning of incense.

Numbers 4:13

Altar] The Altar of brasse, which was placed in the open Court, where all might see it; yet when the Tabernacle was removed, that was to be covered as well as other holy things.

Numbers 4:15

burden] These were to be carryed on the shoulders of the Levites, and not to be carryed on Carts, as the wooden works, Numbers 7:8. God was displeased not only with Uzzah his touching of the Arke, but that it was carryed in a Cart, 2 Sam. 6. which should have been carryed only on the shoulders of the Cohathites, Numbers 7:9.

not touch] Nor offer to beare them, before they be covered.

die] For that fault Uzzah (though a Levite) was smitten dead by the Arke side, 2 Samuel 6:7.

Numbers 4:16

sweet incense] Whereby is not meant that Eleazer alone was to offer incense, or sacrifice, but that it was his office to provide, and to take care that neither meats, nor oyle, nor incense to be offered should be wanting.

daily meat-offering] That is, the offering of flowre, which was kept to be offered with the continuall, or daily burntoffering.

Numbers 4:18

cut ye not off] That is, be not ye an occasion, or permit none occasion by your negligence (in keeping or covering the holy things) that they may either see, or touch what they should not, whereby they may be cut off, and die for it: So Jeremiah 38:23. burning the citie; for causing it to be burned.

Numbers 4:19

to his burden] Shewing what part every one should beare.

Numbers 4:23

from thirty yeare] See Annot. on Chap. 3. vers. 15.

Numbers 4:25

hanging] Or vaile, which hanged between the Sanctuary and the Court.

Numbers 4:26

which is by the Tabernacle] Which Court compassed both the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and the Altar of burnt-offering.

Numbers 4:32

by name] That is, ye shall make an inventory of all things which ye commit to their charge.

Numbers 4:41

doc service] Which were of competent age to serve therein; that is, betwixt thirty and fifty; which was so ordered by divine providence, that that family which had the greatest and heaviest burden, had the most serviceable men, to wit, those of the Merarites, who in their totall number were fewer then the other families, yet exceeded any one of them in the number of those who were neither too young to begin the service, nor too old to continue it.

Numbers 4:49

as the Lord commanded] So that Moses neither added, nor diminished from that which the Lord commanded him.