Numbers 8:14-19

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 8:14

Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel ,.... By sprinkling the water of purification upon them; by offering sacrifices for them; by presenting them before the Lord, with the hands of the people of Israel put upon them; by offering and waving them before the Lord, and by setting them before Aaron and his sons, as their ministers: and the Levites shall be mine : in a special and peculiar manner devoted to his service, and by him given to his priests for that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:15

And after that shall the Levites go in ,.... Not into the sanctuary, where only the priests entered, much less into the most holy place, where only the high priest went, and that but once a year, in neither of which places the Levites had anything to do, but into the court of the tabernacle: to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation : to watch there, and to assist the priests at the altar of burnt offering, to take down the tabernacle and bear the vessels of it, and set it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:16

For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel ,.... All of them, entirely, and most certainly; or, "given, given" F21 נתנים נתנים "dati, dati", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; so Drusius and Ainsworth. , which is repeated for the confirmation of it; or because of their being twice given, first to the Lord by the children of Israel, and then by the Lord to Aaron and his sons, as Chaskuni; though Jarchi interprets it of the different parts of their service they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:17

For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine , both men and beasts ,.... Not only in common with other of his creatures, but in a special respect on account of his signal deliverance of them; they were his, as Jarchi expresses it, by the line of judgment, or rule of justice and equity, because he protected them among the firstborn of the Egyptians, saved them when he slew theirs, as follows: in the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt ; both of men... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:18

And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel. Gave up his right in the firstborn, and instead of them took the Levites for his use and service: see Numbers 3:12 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:19

And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons, from among the children of Israel ,.... Or I have given the Levites that were given; that is, the Lord gave to Aaron and his sons the Levites, that were first given to him; as they were, when brought before him, and the children of Israel laid hands on them, and they were offered before the Lord, Numbers 8:10 , to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation ; to do what otherwise they... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 8:16

Verse 16 16.For they are wholly given. Lest the other tribes should complain that the number of the people was diminished, God declares that the Levites were alienated from the race of Abraham, since He had acquired them to Himself when He smote all the first-born of Egypt; for it is certain that the first-born of the people, as well as those of their animals, were miraculously rescued from the common destruction. Since, then, God delivered them by special privilege, He thus bound them to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 8:19

Verse 19 19.And I have given the Levites. He declares on what terms He desires to have them as His own, viz., that they may be directed by Aaron, and obey his commands; for by “a gift” is not to be understood such an act as that whereby a person resigns and cedes his own right to another; but, when He devotes them to the ministry of the sanctuary, He desires that they should have a leader and master. At the end of the verse, Moses teaches that this is done for the advantage and profit of the... read more

Group of Brands