Verse 19
19. To make an atonement This looks toward priestly functions to be discharged by the Levites. Though it is not probable that they alone ever sprinkled the blood of the sacrifices, which is a purely sacerdotal act, yet they assisted the priests who sprinkled the blood “which they received of the hand of the Levites,” (2 Chronicles 30:16,) and were drawn more and more clearly to the priests by being released from menial service through the substitution of the Nethinim. Hence they soon became teachers, interpreters, chanters of Hebrew psalmody, and special guardians of the sanctity of the sabbath. Nehemiah 13:22. The last prophet of the Old Testament predicts that in the latter days the Lord “shall purify the sons of Levi.”
That there be no plague The inner sanctuaries of the tabernacle, the apartment of the priests, and the holy of holies were inaccessible to strangers, that is, non-Levites. Hence the appointment of the Levites to be guardians of the tabernacle and safeguards of the people lest they be smitten by the stroke of Jehovah’s wrath. See Numbers 1:51; Numbers 1:53, notes.
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