Bible Commentaries
Numbers 3

Verse 1

generations. The twelfth occurrence (eleven in Genesis (see p. 1), one here, one in Ruth 4:18-22 , one in Matthew 1:1 , fourteen (2 x 7, see App-10 ) in all.

the LORD = Jehovah, Israel's Covenant God. See App-4 .

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1 .

Verse 3

These. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, and Syriac, read "And these".

whom he consecrated. See note on Exodus 28:41 .

Verse 4

died before the LORD. This parenthetical statement is an undesigned coincidence referring to Leviticus 10:1-7 . Compare Numbers 26:61 , and 1 Chronicles 24:2 .

children = sons.

Verse 6

present = cause it to stand.

Verse 7

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. 'ohel . See App-40 . the tabernacle. Hebrew. miahkdn. App-40 .

Verse 8

instruments = vessels or furniture.

Israel. The whole nation was responsible for this charge, but Levi was taken in substitution for the firstborn. Compare verses: Numbers 3:38 , Numbers 3:41 , and Compare Numbers 8:16 . Exodus 13:11-16 .

Verse 9

wholly given. Hebrew "given, given". Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ), for emphasis. Hence called nethunim = given ones.

Verse 12

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

Verse 13

hallowed = separated. See note on "holy", Exodus 3:5 .

man. Hebrew. 'adam. See App-14 .

I am the LORD. This is the reason for this act of sovereignty. Compare Exodus 12:29 , Exodus 12:30 ; Exodus 13:2 . The interpretation of Hebrews 12:23 depends on this ordinance. Note the emphatic "I", Numbers 3:12 , and the Figure of speech Asterismos there.

Verse 16

word. Hebrew "mouth", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for words spoken by it.

as = according as.

Verse 17

names. Substituted by name here because redeemed by name. Exodus 1:1 .

Verse 25

the. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and the"

door = entrance.

Verse 31

candlestick = lampstand.

Verse 32

chief over the chief. Hebrew = "chief of the chief". Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ), being a kind of Enallage ( App-6 ).

Verse 33

Merari. Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ), the verse beginning and ending with the same word.

Verse 38

charge of the children of Israel. The whole nation responsible. Compare Numbers 3:8 and Num 41:45 .

Verse 39

and Aaron. These two words are dotted in the Hebrew. See App-31 . The command was given to Moses alone (verses: Numbers 3:14 , Numbers 3:15 ), and was carried out by him alone (Numbers 3:16 ). As Aaron took part, according to Numbers 1:3 , Numbers 1:4 , and Numbers 4:41 , Numbers 4:45 , Numbers 4:46 , his name was included here by some ancient copyist; and later scribes dotted the words rather than leave them out.

commandment. Hebrew "mouth", put for what was spoken by it by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 .

Verse 40

the LORD said = Jehovah said. Hebrew. 'amar (not davar, spake), 'amar is followed by the words spoken, davar is not. This expression, Jehovah said, occurs eighteen "sundry times" and in five "divers manners" in this book of Numbers. Compare note on Numbers 1:1

(1) To Moses (alone), Numbers 3:40 ; Numbers 7:11 ; Numbers 11:16 , Numbers 11:23 ; Numbers 12:14 ; Numbers 14:11 ; Numbers 15:35 ; Numbers 17:10 ; Numbers 21:8 , Numbers 21:34 ; Numbers 26:4 ; Numbers 27:12 , Numbers 27:18 . (2) To Aaron, Numbers 18:1 . (3) To Balaam, Numbers 23:5 , Numbers 23:16 . (4) He said, Numbers 12:6 . (6) I Jehovah have said, Numbers 14:35 .

With the fifty-six times "Jehovah spake" (See Numbers 1:1 ), these eighteen make seventy-four times, and sixteen manners. See note on Numbers 22:9 , for "God said" (four times, making seventy-eight in all).

Verse 42

as = according as

Verse 45

instead. This substitution is the subject of this large member.

Verse 46

redeemed = bought back. Hebrew. g'aal. See note on Exodus 6:8

more = over and above: 273 (= 13 x 21). App-10 . The firstborn males were 22,273 The Levites were 22,000. This leaves a difference of 273.

Verse 47

shekels. See App-51 .

gerahs. See App-51 .

Verse 49

of = from.

Verse 50

a thousand, &c. = 1365 (= 13 x 105), being 5 x 273, i.e. five shekels apiece, Numbers 3:47 . See App-10 .