Bible Commentaries
Numbers 4

Introduction

A.M. 2514. B.C. 1490.

A command to number the Levites from thirty to fifty years old, Numbers 4:1-3 . The charge of the Kohathites, Numbers 4:4-20 . Of the Gershonites, Numbers 4:21-28 . Of the Merarites, Numbers 4:29-33 . The number of each, Numbers 4:34-45 . Of all in general, Numbers 4:46-49 .

Verse 3

Numbers 4:3. From thirty This age was prescribed, as the age of full strength of body, and therefore most proper for their laborious work of carrying the parts and vessels of the tabernacle, and of maturity of judgment, which is necessary for the right management of holy services. Whence even John and Christ entered not upon their ministry till that age. Indeed, their first entrance upon their work was at their twenty-fifth year, when they began as learners, and acted under the inspection and direction of their brethren; but in their thirtieth year they were completely admitted to a full discharge of their whole office. But David, being a prophet, and particularly directed by God in the affairs of the temple, made a change in this matter, because the magnificence of the temple, and the great multitude of the sacred utensils and sacrifices, required a greater number of attendants than formerly was necessary. Until fifty When they were exempted from the toilsome work of carrying burdens, but not discharged from the honourable and easy work done within the tabernacle. Numbers 8:26. All that enter That is, that do and may enter, having no defect, nor other impediment.

Verses 5-6

Numbers 4:5-6. They shall take down For upon this necessary occasion the inferior priests were allowed to come into the holy of holies, which otherwise was peculiar to the high-priest. The covering veil The second veil, wherewith the ark was covered while the tabernacle stood, Exodus 40:3. Cover the ark Because the Levites, who were to carry the ark, might neither see, nor immediately touch it. Badgers’ skins Whereby the ark was secured from the injuries of the weather.

Verse 7

Numbers 4:7. The dishes Upon which the show-bread was put. Continual bread So called because it was continually to be there, even in the wilderness; where, though they had only manna for themselves, yet they reserved corn for the weekly making of these loaves.

Verses 11-12

Numbers 4:11-12. The golden altar All covered with plates of gold. The instruments of ministry The sacred garments used by the priests in their holy ministrations. Cover them All these coverings were designed, 1st, For safety, that these holy things might not be sullied by rain, or tarnished by the sun. 2d, For decency, most of them had a cloth of blue, or purple, or scarlet over them; the ark, a cloth wholly of blue, perhaps an emblem of the azure skies, which are spread between us and the Majesty on high. 3d, For concealment. It was a fit sign of the darkness of that dispensation. The holy things were then covered. But Christ hath now destroyed the face of the covering.

Verse 13

Numbers 4:13. Shall take away the ashes from the altar Hence we may conclude, that they did offer sacrifices at other times, though not so constantly and diligently as they did in Canaan. Moreover the taking away of the ashes only doth sufficiently imply that the fire was preserved, which, as it came down from heaven, (Leviticus 9:0.,) so it was by God’s command to be continually fed and kept burning, and therefore doubtless was put into some vessel, which might be either fastened to the altar, and put within this covering, or carried by some person appointed thereunto.

Verse 15

Numbers 4:15. Bear it Upon their shoulders. Afterward the priests themselves, being multiplied, carried these things, though the Levites were not excluded. They shall not touch Before they are covered.

Verse 16

Numbers 4:16. Eleazar He himself is to carry these things, and not to commit them to the sons of Kohath. The oversight The care that all the things above mentioned be carried by the persons and in the manner expressed.

Verses 18-19

Numbers 4:18-19. Cut not off Do not by your neglect, provoke God to cut them off for touching the holy things. Every one to his service To that which is peculiarly allotted to him, the services and burdens being equally distributed among them.

Verse 25

Numbers 4:25. The curtains Or covering of goats’ hair. The tabernacle The ten curtains which covered the boards of the tabernacle; for the boards themselves were carried by the Merarites. His covering The covering of rams’ skins which was put next over those ten curtains.

Verses 26-28

Numbers 4:26-28. Which is round about Which court compassed both the tabernacle and the altar. Under the hand Under his conduct and direction.

Verse 32

Numbers 4:32. Ye shall reckon Every part and parcel shall be put in an inventory; which is required here rather than in the foregoing particulars, because these were much more numerous than the former; because, being meaner things, they might otherwise have been neglected; and also to teach us that God esteems nothing small in his service, and that he expects his will should be observed in the minutest circumstances. The death of the saints is represented as the taking down of the tabernacle. The immortal soul, like the most holy things, is first covered and taken away, carried by angels unseen, and care is taken also of the body, the skin and the flesh, which are as the curtains, the bones and sinews, which are as the bars and pillars. None of these shall be lost. Commandment is given concerning the bones, a covenant made with the dust. They are in safe custody, and shall be produced in the great day, when this tabernacle shall be set up again, and these vile bodies made like the glorious body of Jesus Christ.

Verse 44

Numbers 4:44. Were numbered of them three thousand and two hundred Here appears the wisdom of Divine Providence, that whereas in the Kohathites and Gershonites, whose burdens were fewer and easier, there were but about a third part of them fit for service, the Merarites, whose burdens were more and heavier, had above half of them fit for this work.