Numbers 8

Nu 8:1-4.

HOW THE

LAMPS

ARE TO

BE

LIGHTED.

1. the Lord spake unto Moses--The order of this chapter suggests the

idea that the following instructions were given to Moses while he was

within the tabernacle of the congregation, after the princes had

completed their offering. But from the tenor of the instructions, it is

more likely that they were given immediately after the Levites had been

given to the priests

(see on

Nu 3:1-4:49),

and that the record of these instructions had been postponed till the

narrative of other transactions in the camp had been made [PATRICK].

2. Speak unto Aaron, &c.--The candlestick, which was made of one

solid, massive piece of pure gold, with six lamps supported on as many

branches, a seventh in the center surmounting the shaft itself

(Ex 25:31; 37:17),

and completed according to the pattern shown in the mount, was now to

be lighted, when the other things in the sanctuary began to be applied

to religious service. It was Aaron's personal duty, as the servant of

God, to light His house, which, being without windows, required the aid

of lights

(2Pe 1:19).

And the course he was ordered to follow was first to light the middle

lamp from the altar-fire, and then the other lamps from each other--a

course symbolical of all the light of heavenly truth being derived from

Christ, and diffused by His ministers throughout the world

(Re 4:5).

the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick--The

candlestick stood close to the boards of the sanctuary, on the south

side, in full view of the table of showbread on the north

(Ex 26:35),

having one set of its lamps turned towards the east, and another

towards the west; so that all parts of the tabernacle were thus lighted

up.

Nu 8:5-22.

THE

CONSECRATION OF THE

LEVITES.

6, 7. Take the Levites . . . and cleanse them--This passage describes

the consecration of the Levites. Although the tribe was to be devoted

to the divine service, their hereditary descent alone was not a

sufficient qualification for entering on the duties of the sacred

office. They were to be set apart by a special ceremony, which,

however, was much simpler than that appointed for the priests; neither

washing nor anointing, nor investiture with official robes, was

necessary. Their purification consisted, along with the offering of the

requisite sacrifices

(Le 1:4; 3:2; 4:4),

in being sprinkled by water mixed with the ashes of a red heifer

(Nu 19:9),

and shaved all over, and their clothes washed--a combination of

symbolical acts which was intended to remind them of the mortification

of carnal and worldly desires, and the maintenance of that purity in

heart and life which became the servants of God.

9, 10. thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel

together, &c.--As it was plainly impossible that the whole multitude

of the Israelites could do this, a select portion of them must be

meant. This party, who laid their hands upon the Levites, are supposed

peculiar privilege of acting as God's ministers to the Levitical tribe;

and by others, to have been the princes, who thus blessed them. It

appears, from this passage, that the imposition of hands was a ceremony

used in consecrating persons to holy offices in the ancient, as, from

the example of our Lord and His apostles, it has been perpetuated in

the Christian Church.

11-13. And Aaron shall offer the Levites--Hebrew, "as a wave

offering"; and it has been thought probable that the high priest, in

bringing the Levites one by one to the altar, directed them to make

some simple movements of their persons, analogous to what was done at

the presentation of the wave offerings before the Lord. Thus were they

first devoted as an offering to God, and by Him surrendered to the

priests to be employed in His service. The consecration ceremonial was

repeated in the case of every Levite who was taken (as was done at a

later period) to assist the priests in the tabernacle and temple.

(See on

2Ch 29:34).

14. and the Levites shall be mine--that is, exempt from all military

duty or secular work--free from all pecuniary imposition and wholly

devoted to the custody and service of the sanctuary.

15. after that, shall the Levites go in to do the service of the

tabernacle of the congregation--into the court, to assist the priests;

and at removal into the tabernacle--that is, into the door of it--to

receive the covered furniture.

19. to make an atonement for the children of Israel, &c.--to aid the

priests in that expiatory work; or, as the words may be rendered, "to

make redemption for" the Levites being exchanged or substituted for the

first-born for this important end, that there might be a sanctified

body of men appointed to guard the sanctuary, and the people not

allowed to approach or presumptuously meddle with holy things, which

would expose them to the angry judgments of Heaven.

24. from twenty and five years old, &c.--(Compare

Nu 4:3).

They entered on their work in their twenty-fifth year, as pupils and

probationers, under the superintendence and direction of their senior

brethren; and at thirty they were admitted to the full discharge of

their official functions.

25. from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the

service thereof, &c.--that is, on the laborious and exhausting parts

of their work.

26. But shall minister with their brethren--in the performance of

easier and higher duties, instructing and directing the young, or

superintending important trusts. "They also serve who only wait"

[MILTON].