Numbers 4

Numbers 4:4

He numbered them - For ought that appears in one day.

Numbers 4:5

By their generations - That is, the persons begotten of Reuben’s immediate children, who are here subdivided into families, and they into houses, and they into particular persons.

Numbers 4:12

Threescore and fourteen thousand - Far more than any other tribe, in accomplishing Jacob’s prophecy, Genesis 49:8 - 12.

Numbers 4:18

Ephraim - Above 8000 more than Manasseh, towards the accomplishment of that promise, Genesis 48:20, which the devil in vain attempted to defeat by stirring up the men of Gath against them, 1 Chronicles 7:21,22.

Numbers 4:22

Thirty five thousand - The smallest number, except one, though Benjamin had more immediate children than any of his brethren, Genesis 46:21, whereas Dan had but one immediate son, Genesis 46:23, yet now his number is the biggest but one of all the tribes, and is almost double to that of Benjamin. Such great and strange changes God easily can, and frequently doth make in families, 1 Samuel 2:5. And therefore let none boast or please themselves too much in their numerous offspring.

Numbers 4:34

Levi - Because they were not generally to go out to war, which was the thing principally eyed in this muster, Numbers 1:3,20,45, but were to attend upon the service of the tabernacle. They that minister upon holy things, should not entangle themselves in secular affairs. The ministry itself is work enough for a whole man, and all little enough to be employed in it.

Numbers 4:35

The tabernacle of testimony - So called here, and Exodus 38:21, because it was made chiefly for the sake of the ark of the testimony, which is often called the testimony.

Numbers 4:36

That cometh nigh - The stranger elsewhere is one of another nation, here one of another tribe. So as to do the offices mentioned, Numbers 1:50.

Numbers 4:38

No wrath - From God, who is very tender of his worship, and will not suffer the profaners of it go unpunished! whose wrath is called simply wrath by way of eminency, as the most terrible kind of wrath.

Numbers 4:42

His own standard - It is manifest there were four great standards or ensigns, which here follow, distinguished by their colours or figures; also there were other particular ensigns belonging to each of their fathers houses or families. Far off - Partly out of reverence to God and his worship, and the portion, allotted to it, and partly for caution, lest their vicinity to it might tempt them to make too near approaches to it. It is supposed they Were at 2000 cubits distance from it, which was the space between the people and the ark; and it is not improbable, because the Levites encamped round about it, between them and the tabernacle. It is observable, those tribes were placed together, that were nearest of kin to each other. Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun were the three youngest sons of Leah, and Issachar and Zebulun would not grudge to be under Judah, their elder brother. Reuben and Simeon would not be content with their place.

Therefore Reuben, Jacob’s eldest son, is chief of the next squadron. Simeon doubtless is willing to be under him. And Gad, the son of Leah’s handmaid, is fitly added to him, in Levi’s room. Ephraim Manasseh, and Benjamin are all the posterity of Rachel. Dan the eldest son of Bilhah leads the rest; to them are added the two younger sons of the handmaids. So much of the wisdom of God appears even in these smaller circumstances!

Numbers 4:43

Judah - This tribe was in the first post, and in their marches led the van, not only because it was the most numerous, but chiefly because Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, was to descend from it: Yea, from the loins of Nahshon, who is here appointed the chief captain of it.