A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 37. Of those Sons of Levi that were Priests.

THe Greek adverb translated, a 1.1 verily, is oft used meerly in reference to the adversative conjunction translated, b 1.2 But: which is used, v. 6. whereunto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath reference. Sometimes it is a note of strong affirmation, so it is used Chap. •…•…. v. 5. §. 50. and Chap. 6. v. 16. §. 115. Other times it is used as a meer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Greek tongue, and is not translated in English, as Chap. 1. v. 7. and in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 2. and 8. verses of this Chapter. So here it may be taken as a meer ornament. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it be further taken as a note of asseveration, it implyeth, that the point, here spoken of, is the more thorowly to be weighted, as a matter most certainly true.

This phrase, (c) They that are of the sons of Levi, doth in generall imply the po∣sterity* 1.3 of Iacobs third son.

The notation of this name d 1.4 Levi is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 given, Gen. 29. 34. It appeareth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iacob had taken more delight in Rache•…•…s company then Leahs. B•…•…t by this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 son, Gods blessing being manifested in making Leah fruitfull, when her 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was barren, she was perswaded that her husband would now associate himself •…•…ore with her, and thereupon this son was named Levi. For e 1.5 the verb from •…•…hence this noun, Levi, hath his notation, in the passive, signifieth to be joyned to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Numb. 18. 2. Isa. 56. 6. In desire, or hope, or fore sight that her husband would be joyned to her, and keep her company, this name Levi is given to her son.

Among the sons of Iacob, God chose Levi, and his posterity to be his Ministers i•…•… publick, holy duties, and to attend the services of the Tabernacle in the room o•…•… all the rest of the children of Israel, Numb. 1. 50.

Of the sons of Levi, Aaron, and his seed were chosen to serve in the Priests 〈◊〉〈◊〉. They herefore that were of Aarons seed are here especially intended, as is evi∣dent by this clause, who receive the office of the Priest-hood. So much was hinted in the first clause of this verse. He saith not in the nominative case, They that are the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Levi: but in the genetive, and that with a preposition prefixed, They that are f 1.6 OF the sons of Levi. This phrase as it implieth such as descended from Levi, so a set and distinct number of them: some chosen out from among them. For all the children of Levi received not the Priesthood, (Numb. 16. 10.) but onely some of them: even Aaron and his posterity.

By g 1.7 Priest-hood is here meant that office which belonged unto Priests. It hath the same notation in Greek: whereof see Chap. 2. v. 17. §. 172. Of those generall points which belong to a Priest, see Chap. 5. v. 1. §. 2, &c. This function is here brought in for honour sake: for it implieth a dignity conferred upon those sons of Levi which are here meant. This function is expresly stiled an honour, see Chap. 5. v. 4. §. 18.

This verb, h 1.8 receive, is relative, and hath reference to giving. It implieth that* 1.9 they had not this office of themselves, but that it was given them, namely of God For they only have a right to be for men in things pertaining to God, (as Priests were) who are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereunto by God. From hence it followeth that all true Mini∣sters must have their call from God, see Chap. 3. v. 2. §. 34, 35. And Chap. 5. v▪ 4. §. 20.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 mu∣•…•…uo acce•…•… it ac∣commodavit. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• f 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• g 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. See v. 11. Sect. 61.
• h 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.9

  See Chap. 4. v. 16 Sect. 9•…•…▪