Vers. 23. towarre the warfare] which the Greeke [unspec 23] explaineth, to minister: see the notes on vers. 3. to serve the service] in Greeke, to doe the workes: this is an explanation of the former warfare.
Vers. 24. the service] in Greeke, the ministerie. [unspec 24] and for the burden] in Greeke, to serve and so boare. By the service. understand their ministerie in the Tabernacle when it stood, wherein they assisted the Priests; as also the taking downe and setting up of it, Num. 10. 21. and by the burden, their ca∣rying of the Sanctuary, when it removed.
Vers. 27. At the mouth] or, according to the [unspec 27] mouth; in Chaldee, At the word. So after in vers. 37. and 41. and 45. and 49. in all their bur∣den] in Greeke, according to all their ministrations, and according to all their works. yee shall appoint] in Greeke, thou shalt appoint (or number) them. in charge] or, in custodie; in Greeke, by names, as in vers. 32. all their burden] in Greeke, all their workes.
Vers. 28. their charge] or, their custodie, their [unspec 28] observation. under the hand, or, in the hand, that is, under the government and direction of Itha∣mar: so in vers. 33. The Priests being the chiefe in the Sanctuarie, and figures of Christ, were to ap∣point and oversee all the workes of the inferiour ministers; and so Christ and his Apostles did un∣to the ministers of the christian Churches, Mat. 28. 20. 1 Cor. 12. 4, 5, 6. Tit. 1. 5. &c. 1. Tim. 1. 3. and 3. 1.—15.
Vers. 30. thirty yeeres] in Greeke, twenty five [unspec 30] yeeres: the reason of this difference is noted on ver. 3. So after, in v. 35. into the armie] or, warfare; that is, service in the Tabernacle; as the Greeke translateth it, to minister: see vers. 3.
Vers. 31. the charge] or, custodie; in Greeke, ob∣servations. [unspec 31] the sockets] which were an hundred, made of an hundred talents of silver, Exod. 38. 27. of the boards, & bars, see Exod. 26. 18.—27. By reason of the weight of these things, the Merarites had foure wagons allowed them, for the cariage, Num. 7. 8.
Vers. 32. their sockets] which were of brasse, [unspec 32] Exod. 27. 10—17. by names] in Chaldee, by their names: the Greeke said the like of the Gersho∣nites charge, in vers. 27. Whereas the sockets, pil∣lars, pinnes, cords, and other instruments were many, and seemed of lesse importance than the o∣ther holy things within the Sanctuary; the Lord appointeth to have them delivered by names, lest any should be neglected, or left, or to seeke when the Tabernacle should be set vp againe. Signifying hereby the care that he hath of his Church, and of every member, even the least; and so of all his ordinances. Thus the good Shepheard is said to call his owne sheepe by name, Ioh. 10. 3. And David gave unto Solomon, both the pattern of all things to be made in the Temple, and gave gold and sil∣ver by weight, for every table, candlestick, lampe, flesh-hook, bowle, cup, bason, &c. 1 Chron. 28. 11.—17.
Vers. 35. into the armie] or, to the warfare; in [unspec 35] Greeke, to minister: see vers. 3. So after, in vers. 39. and 43.
Vers. 36. two thousand, seven hundred, and fifty] [unspec 36] there were of the Kohathites in all, eight thousand and six hundred, Num. 3. 28. of which, not a third part were able men for the Lords service, as here wee see.
Vers. 40. two thousand and six hundred and thir∣tie] [unspec 40] In all there were seven thousand and five hun∣dred Gershonites, Numb. 3. 22. of which, little more than the third part were fit to serve in the Tabernacle.
Vers. 44. three thousand and two hundred] So [unspec 44] of six thousand and two hundred Merarites (Num. 3. 34) there were moe than halfe fit to serve the Lord in his Sanctuary. The numbers of them all, and of such as were able to serve the Lord, and con∣trary, may be viewed thus;
Kohathires, | In all, | 8600. |
Able men, | 2750. |
Vnable, | 5850. |
Gershonites, | In all, | 7500. |
Able men, | 2630. |
Vnable, | 4870. |
Merarites, | In all, | 6200. |
Able men, | 3200. |
Vnable. | 3000. |
The wisdome and providence of God appeareth in these numbers. The Kohathites, that were most in the whose summe, are fewest for the service of God: the Merarites, that were fewest in number, yeeld most for his service. And whereas the grea∣test burden was for the Merarires, as the boards of the Sanctuary, overlaid with gold, the pillars, the sockets, some of silver, and some of brasse; lest they should murmur at their charge, God furnish∣eth them with moe able men than any of the other families, besides wagons given to ease them. And whereas commonly in families, the yonger and the aged sort are many moe than men of middle years; it is here otherwise, that the greater halfe of the Merarites are strong men, betweene thirty and fifty yeares of age. By this diversitie of number among the Levites families, God sheweth his wis∣dome in fitting men for the worke wherto he hath appointed them, whether it requireth multitude, or gifts: for, To one is given by the Spirit, the word of wisdome; to another the word of knowledge, by the same Spirit; to another, faith, by the same Spirit; to another, the gifts of healing, by the same Spirit, &c. dividing to every man severally as he will. 1 Cor. 12. 8.—12. David being employed in warres, had many valiant Worthies, and strong men for that purpose, rehearsed in 1. Chron. 11. & 12. ch. So had Iudah, and the other tribes, as wee see in Num. 2. Moses was furnished with wisdome and knowledge, but wanted speech and utterance; therefore Aaron was given to bee his mouth and spokes-man, Act. 7. 22. Exod. 4. 10. 14. 16. ye•• Moses by his writings, speaketh now eloquently in all Churches, and shall doe to the worlds end, when Aaron is silent. The like was in Paul, whose weaknesse in speech was his reproach among the