Numbers 8

Numbers 8:4

THe shaft] By the shaft is vnderstood, or meant, not onely the chiefe middle stock, but also all the branches, divided with their vessels, and knabs to the flower of Gold, beaten out with the hammer.

Numbers 8:6

Cleanse them] From all exteriour and ceremonniall uncleannesse: Exodus chapter 19. vers. 10, 15. that they may be imployed in the service of the Tabernacle: Numbers 4:1-49. A figure of the spirituall purification of all Gods true Ministers, yea of all the faithfull; Isaiah, chapter 52. verse 11. 1 Thessalonians, chap. 4. verse 4. 2 Timoth. chap. 2. verse 21.

Numbers 8:10

Shall put] That is to say, lift up, and stretch forth their hands towards them, wherein the people imitated that which was done in sacrifices, where the person that offered, layd his hands upon the offering, as well to dedicate it to God, as for to transferre the punishment of death upon it, to which the person himselfe was subject: so the people consenting to the consecration of the Levites, did disburthen themselves from doing the service of God: which otherwise every one was bound to yield unto him their owne proper persons.

Numbers 8:11

An offering] The Italian hath it, A wave offering] in the manner of the ordinary offerings, which were so shifted out of one hand into the other. See the nine and twentieth chapter of Exod. and the four and twentieth verse. The Levites also were presented unto the Lord by making them turne themselves towards the fore parts of heaven.

Numbers 8:12

Lay their] An ordinary ceremony in sacrifices. See upon Exodus 29. 16. 19. Lev. 1. 4. and 3. 2. and 4. 4 Of the Bullocks] here and elsewhere, the burnt Offering is for the explation of the sinnes of the person corrupt in his owne nature, and the sinne offering, for the actuall sinnes. See Exodus, chapt. 19. vers. 14. 18. Numbers 6:14.

Numbers 8:13

Shalt set] After Aaron hath presented them unto God, doe thou Moses offer them to him, giving them for perpetuall assistants, and underministers to his Priests: as in many offerings, that which was not consumed by fire, did irrevocably belongunto God, being possessed by his Priest. See Nu. 3. 6. 9.

Numbers 8:16

Wholly given] The Hebrew, gifts, or presents given, purchased to be my proper, and perpetuall servants, dedicated unto me by their owne and all the peoples consent.

Numbers 8:19

The service] To which they should otherwise be tyed in their owne persons. See upon the third Chapter of Numbers, and the seventh verse And to make]That my service, beeing done by them, which are persons consecrated by mee, bee lovingly accepted, and I not moved to revenge the contempt of my glory, upon the people, if they had pressed upon it rashly, or unreverently.

Numbers 8:22

Before Aaron] Under their direction and command.

Numbers 8:24

Twenty and five] Numbers, chapt. 4. vers. 3. 47. The age of the Levites, that they should begin to serve at, is set downe at thirty yeares. This difference may be composed; first, because here it is spoken of any kind of service; in the other place for to carry the sacred Ornaments; and here the Levites goe onely in service: from which may be inferred, that for the space of five yeares they should stay in the function under some discipline, in that other passage, they are admitted to the compleat Ministery.

Numbers 8:25

Shall serve no more] Of an ordinary service, and constant; and for obligation and necessity in the workes and actions of labour.

Numbers 8:26

Shall minister] The Italian hath it, To serve] Helpe them in small services, and in counsaile and direction.