Numbers 8:24-26 NIV

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 8:24

This is it that belongeth unto the Levites ,.... The fixed and settled time for their service, as is after related: from twenty and five years old and upward, they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation ; in Numbers 4:3 ; the time for the Levites entering on the work of the tabernacle is fixed to thirty years and upward, which Jarchi reconciles thus; at twenty five years old the Levite goes in to learn the rites of service, and he learns five... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:25

And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof ,.... The heavy service of it: and shall serve no more ; by bearing and carrying the vessels of the sanctuary upon their shoulders, as Jarchi interprets it; this, according to the Jewish writers, was only in force while the tabernacle was in the wilderness, and was moved from place to place: but when it had a fixed habitation, and that laborious service of bearing and carrying the vessels of it ceased,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:26

But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation ,.... By giving advice, instructing younger Levites, and doing lighter service. Jarchi says, they shall return to shutting of doors, singing and loading wagons; but the last especially seems too burdensome: the ministry of such is explained by the next clause: to keep the charge ; of the tabernacle, to watch and observe that no stranger or unclean person enter into it; and this they were capable of when at the... 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 8:24

Verse 24 24.This is it, that belongeth to the Levites. The age is here prescribed when the Levites should begin and end the execution of their office. God commands them to commence in their 25th year and grants them their dismissal in their 50th; and for both these provisions there is very good reason. For, if they had been admitted in early youth, their levity might have greatly detracted from the reverence due to sacred things: not only because those, whose manhood is not yet mature, are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 8:5-26

I. THAT BEFORE THEY COULD SERVE THEY MUST BE CLEANSED . Even so all that would do God service, or be useful to others in religions concerns, must first themselves be cleansed; because all that is human is unclean ( Job 15:14 ), and nothing that is unclean can do God service, for he requireth holiness in his servants ( Proverbs 20:9 ; Psalms 5:5 ; Isaiah 52:11 ; Habakkuk 1:13 ; Matthew 5:48 ; Matthew 22:12 ). II. THAT THIS CLEANSING WAS TWOFOLD , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 8:5-26

I. Let us begin by taking A GENERAL VIEW OF THIS ORDINATION SERVICE . The outstanding features were these. It took place at the door of the tabernacle and in presence of the whole congregation. The Levites being marched in, the congregation put their hands on them, q.d.: "We are thine, O Lord. Thou hast redeemed us and brought us out for thyself, to be to thee a kingdom and priests. With respect to the charge of this thy sanctuary, thou hast made choice of these our brethren to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 8:5-26

1 . All God's chosen servants, "a kind of first-fruits of his creatures." (Illustrate from 1 John 1:7-10 ; 1 John 2:1 , 1 John 2:2 , and from John 13:10 .) 2 . All God's selected ministers (pastors, missionaries, etc.). Illustrate from Tertullian's request to his brethren: "Ye have sought, and ye have found; ye have knocked, and it is opened to you. Thus much I ask, that when you seek again, you remember me, Tertullian, a sinner;" or from W. Carey the missionary's selected... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:26

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

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 8:24

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 8:5-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 8:5-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 8:5-26

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