And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... Though Aaron is not mentioned here, he was concerned in taking the sum of the Gershonites, as well as of the Kohathites, as appears from Numbers 4:41 , saying ; as follows. read more
Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon ,.... As well as of the sons of Kohath; for though Gershon was Levi's eldest son, yet his posterity were not excused from the service of the tabernacle, and bearing things of it in journeying: throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families ; all in their several houses, and in the several families in those houses, that were of the age next mentioned, were to be numbered. read more
From thirty years old and upward, until fifty years old , shalt thou number them ,.... Take an account how many there are of that age, and so fit for service F1 לצבא צבא "ad militandum militiam", Montanus, Drusius. ; See Gill on Numbers 4:3 , to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation ; as the rest of the Levites; see Numbers 4:3 ; read more
This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens. The former of these phrases Aben Ezra interprets of setting up the tabernacle, making the bread (the shewbread), slaying (the sacrifices), and keeping, that is, watching and guarding, the tabernacle; and the latter of what they did when journeying, bearing and carrying the things assigned to them, afterwards mentioned. read more
And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle ,.... The ten curtains of fine linen, Exodus 26:1 , and the tabernacle of the congregation ; the curtains of goats' hair made for a tent over it, as Jarchi, see Exodus 26:7 , his covering the covering of rams skins dyed red , Exodus 26:14 , and the covering of the badgers' skins that is above upon it ; over all the rest: and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation ; the eastern vail, as Jarchi... read more
And the hangings of the court ,.... Which made the great court that surrounded the tabernacle, Exodus 27:9 , and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court ; the eastern gate that led into the court, an hanging of twenty cubits, Exodus 27:16 , which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about ; that is, which hangings that formed the court, and were round about the tabernacle, and the altar of burnt offering; See Gill on Exodus 26:36 , and their cords ;... read more
At the appointment of Aaron and his sons ,.... As they shall order and direct: shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites ; everyone of them was to take their share, as Aaron and his sons should appoint them: in all their burdens, and in all their service ; what each of them should carry, and in what they should perform duty: and ye shall appoint to them in charge all their burdens ; charge them carefully to keep all that were committed to them to bear, that none be... read more
This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon ,.... Which they should execute when the camp and tabernacle were in motion: in the tabernacle of the congregation in the court ; where they should take up their burdens, or which lie in things respecting the tabernacle; this was the part they were to be employed in, namely, in taking care of the hangings of the tabernacle, &c.; and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest ; the... read more
Verse 24 24.This is the service of the families of the Gershonites. The tasks which He enjoins upon the sons of Gershon, as well as the sons of Merari, are apparently mean and laborious, for it was a hard and also a servile work to carry the curtains and the tabernacle, together with its coverings, the boards, too, and the bars, and the pillars. But hence we learn that in God’s service nothing is to be despised, but that each and every part of our duty should be cheerfully performed, inasmuch... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 4:21-33
We have here the charge of the other two families of the Levites, which, though not so honourable as the first, yet was necessary, and was to be done regularly. 1. The Gershonites were charged with all the drapery of the tabernacle, the curtains, and hangings, and the coverings of badgers? skins, Num. 4:22-26. These they were to take down when the cloud removed, and the ark and the rest of the holy things were carried away, to pack up and bring with them, and then to set up again, where the... read more