Numbers 4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 4

In the former chapter an account was taken of the whole tribe of Levi, in this we have an account of those of that tribe who were in the prime of their time for service, betwixt thirty and fifty years old. I. The serviceable men of the Kohathites are ordered to be numbered, and their charges are given them, Num. 4:2-20. II. Of the Gershonites, Num. 4:24-28. III. Of the Merarites, Num. 4:29-33. IV. The numbers of each, and the sum total at last, are recorded, Num. 4:34-49 read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 4:1-20

We have here a second muster of the tribe of Levi. As that tribe was taken out of all Israel to be God's peculiar, so the middle-aged men of that tribe were taken from among the rest to be actually employed in the service of the tabernacle. Now observe, I. Who were to be taken into this number. All the males from thirty years old to fifty. Of the other tribes, those that were numbered to go forth to war were from twenty years old and upward, but of the Levites only from thirty to fifty; for... read more

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 4:34-49

We have here a particular account of the numbers of the three families of the Levites respectively, that is, of the effective men, between thirty years old and fifty. Observe, 1. The Kohathites were, in all, 8600 from a month old and upwards; but of these there were but 2750 serviceable men, not a third part. The Gershonites, in all, 7500, and of them but 2630 serviceable men, little more than a third part. Note, Of the many that add to the numbers of the church, there are comparatively but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 4

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 4 This chapter relates an order to number the Levites fit for business, and gives an account of the time and age when they should enter into service, and how long they should continue therein, Numbers 4:1 ; what their particular service should be; and first of the Kohathites, Numbers 4:4 ; next of the Gershonites, Numbers 4:21 ; and then of the Merarites, Numbers 4:29 ; after which Moses and Aaron, with the chief of the congregation, numbered each of them,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 4:1

And the Lord spake unto Moses, and unto Aaron ,.... After they had taken the number of the Levites, and made an exchange of the firstborn of Israel for them; and now they are ordered to number them a second time, and take out from them such as were fit for service: saying ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 4:2

Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi ,.... They were to begin with them first, and number them: after their families, by the house of their fathers ; as many as were of the age after mentioned; and the reason why they began with Kohath, and not Gershon, the eldest son, as in the former numbering, was; not as Aben Ezra suggests, because of Moses and Aaron, who sprung from him, for that, if it had any strength in it, would have held good before; but rather, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 4:3

From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old ,.... This is the full time of the Levites service, and the prime season of man's life for business; at thirty years of age he is at his full strength, and when fifty it begins to decline: it is said in the Misnah F24 Pirke Abot, c. 5. sect. 21. ,"a son of thirty years for strength,'upon which one of the commentators F25 Bartenora in Pirke Abot, c. 5. sect. 21. makes this remark, that the Levites set up the tabernacle... read more

John Gill

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

This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath, in the tabernacle of the congregation ,.... What follows, Numbers 4:4 , about the most holy things ; which Aben Ezra interprets only of the ark, which was indeed a most holy thing, and stood in the most holy place; but there were other holy things, in the care of which the service of the Kohathites lay; as the shewbread table, the candlestick, and the altars of incense and burnt offering, and the vail, and the ministering: vessels,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 4:5

And when the camp setteth forward ,.... Upon the cloud's removing and the trumpets blowing: Aaron shall come, and his sons ; into the holy place: and they shall take down the covering vail : the vail that divided between the holy and the most holy place, which covered all in the holy of holies out of sight: and cover the ark of testimony with it ; together with the mercy seat and cherubim on it, that they might not be seen nor touched by the Levites when they carried them. Now... read more

Group of Brands