Numbers 8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 8

This chapter is concerning the lamps or lights of the sanctuary. I. The burning lamps in the candlestick, which the priests were charged to tend, Num. 8:1-4. II. The living lamps (if I may so call them), The Levites, who as ministers were burning and shining lights. The ordination of the priests we had an account of, Lev. 8:1-36. Here we have an account of the ordination of the Levites, the inferior clergy. 1. How they were purified, Num. 8:5-8. 2. How they were parted with by the people, Num.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 8:1-4

Directions were given long before this for the making of the golden candlestick (Exod. 25:31), and it was made according to the pattern shown to Moses in the mount, Exod. 38:17. But now it was that the lamps were first ordered to be lighted, when other things began to be used. Observe, 1. Who must light the lamps; Aaron himself, he lighted the lamps, Num. 8:3. As the people's representative to God, he thus did the office of a servant in God's house, lighting his Master's candle; as the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 8:5-26

We read before of the separating of the Levites from among the children of Israel when they were numbered, and the numbering of them by themselves (Num. 3:6; 15), that they might be employed in the service of the tabernacle. Now here we have directions given for their solemn ordination (Num. 8:6), and the performance of it, Num. 8:20. All Israel must know that they took not this honour to themselves, but were called of God to it; nor was it enough that they were distinguished from their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 8 In this chapter orders are given for the lighting the seven lamps of the candlestick, Numbers 8:1 ; and for the consecration of the Levites to their office, by a purification of them, Numbers 8:5 ; by a separation of them from the children of Israel, and the imposition of their hands on them, and of the hands of the Levites on the offerings offered for them, Numbers 8:9 ; and being thus given to the Lord, and claimed as his, instead of the firstborn of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:1

And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... Whether immediately after the offerings of the princes, or at another time, is not certain; Aben Ezra thinks it was in the night God spake unto him, because then the lamps were lighted and burning: saying ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:2

Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him ,.... It being his work to light the lamps, though, as Ben Gersom observes, it was not incumbent on an high priest alone to do this, for it also belonged to the sons of Aaron, who were common priests, Exodus 27:21 ; though it is probable that as this was the first time of lighting them, it might be done by Aaron himself, his sons attending and assisting him; in which he was an eminent type of Christ, the great High Priest, who lights the lamps in all his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:3

And Aaron did so, he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick ,.... As God had taken up his residence in the most holy place, as appears by the voice speaking from off the mercy seat, Numbers 7:89 ; and sacrifices were begun to be offered in the outward court on the altar of burnt offering, it was proper that the service of God in the holy place should also be set on foot; as placing of the shewbread on the shewbread table, and burning incense on the golden altar of incense;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:4

And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold ,.... As it is also said to be; See Gill on Exodus 25:31 ; and See Gill on Exodus 25:36 , unto the shalt thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work ; of which, see Exodus 25:31 , according unto the pattern which the Lord had showed Moses ; when on Mount Sinai with him: so he made the candlestick ; that is, ordered it to be made, and took care that it was made exactly to the pattern he had of it; otherwise... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:5

And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... the same time the order about lighting the lamps was given; and this section is joined to the former, Aben Ezra thinks, to show that Aaron employed himself in lighting the lamps, but in the rest of the services the Levites helped him, and stood before him to do what he commanded them: they were ordered to be taken and given to Aaron before; and they were numbered, and their services appointed to each division of them; and now they are ordered to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:6

Take the Levites from among the children of Israel ,.... Among whom they were mixed, as were all the tribes mixed together as Aben Ezra says, before they took their journey from Mount Sinai; however, from hence forward, they were distinguished from Israelites, as they are both in Scripture and in Jewish writings; see 1 Chronicles 9:2 ; though this seems to design no other but their appointment and separation to their work and service, as ministers to the priests of the Lord; and so as... read more

Group of Brands