Numbers 8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 8

Directions how the lamps are to be lighted, Numbers 8:1-3 . How the candlestick was formed, Numbers 8:4 . The Levites to be consecrated to their service by being cleansed, sprinkled, shaved, purified, and their clothes washed, Numbers 8:5-7 . To offer a meat-offering and a sin-offering, Numbers 8:8 . The people to put their hands upon them, Numbers 8:9 , Numbers 8:10 . Aaron is to offer them before the Lord, Numbers 8:11 . The Levites to lay their hands on the heads of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 8:2

The seven lamps shall give light - The whole seven shall be lighted at one time, that seven may be ever burning. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 8:4

This work of the candlestick, etc. - See many curious particulars relative to this candlestick, See the note on Exodus 25:31 ; and Exodus 25:39 ; (note). The candlestick itself was an emblem of the Church of Christ; the oil, of the graces and gifts of the Spirit of God; and the light, of those gifts and graces in action among men. See Revelation 1:12-20 . God builds his Church and sends forth his Spirit to dwell in it, to sanctify and cleanse it, that it may be shown unto the world as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 8:7

Sprinkle water of purifying - חטאת מי mey chattath , water of sin, or water of the sin-offering. As this purifying water was made by the ashes of the red heifer, cedar-wood, hyssop, and scarlet; and the heifer herself was sacrificed, and her blood sprinkled seven times before the tabernacle, Numbers 19:3-6 ; she may be considered as a proper sacrifice for sin, and consequently the water thus prepared be termed the water of the sin-offering. As the ashes were kept ready at hand for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 8:10

Shall put their hands upon the Levites - It has been argued from this that the congregation had a part in the appointment of their own ministers, and that this was done by the imposition of hands. However that may be, it appears that what was done on this occasion meant no more than that the people gave up this whole tribe to God in place of their firstborn; and that by this act they bound themselves to provide for them who, because of their sacred service, could follow no secular work. And... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 8:17

For all the first-born - are mine - See the manner of redeeming the first-born, Numbers 18:6 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 8:21

And Aaron made an atonement for them - Though the Levites had been most solemnly consecrated to the Lord's service, and though all legal washings and purifications were duly performed on the occasion, yet they could not approach God till an atonement had been made for them. How strange is it, after all these significations, of the will and purpose of God relative to man, that any priest or any people will attempt to draw nigh to God without an atonement! As sure as God hath spoken it, there... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 8:24

From twenty and five years old - See the note on Numbers 4:3 , where the two terms of twenty-five and thirty years are reconciled. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 8:26

To keep the charge, and shall do no service - They shall no longer be obliged to perform any laborious service, but act as general directors and counsellors; therefore they were to be near the camp, sing praises to God, and see that no stranger or unclean person was permitted to enter. So the Jews and many other persons have understood this place. If it required so much legal purity to fit the Levites for their work in the tabernacle, can we suppose that it requires less spiritual purity... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 8:2

Verse 2 2When thou lightest the lamps. This precept, like many others, is not inserted in its proper place. Moses again declares what was the use of the candlestick, and how the lamps should be arranged, so that their light might be spread through the sanctuary, and that the brightness of the gold might shine over against them; for this was the reason why God would have the lamps lighted against the face of, or opposite to, the candlestick, that the very stand of the light might retain its... read more

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