Behold, I myself have taken your brothers the Levites from among the children of Israel. They are a gift to you, dedicated to Yahweh, to do the service of the Tent of Meeting. You and your sons with you shall keep your priesthood for everything of the altar, and for that within the veil. You shall serve. I give you the service of the priesthood as a gift. The stranger who comes near shall be put to death.”
Yahweh spoke to Aaron, “Behold, I myself have given you the command of my wave offerings, even all the holy things of the children of Israel. I have given them to you by reason of the anointing, and to your sons, as a portion forever.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv7–8 Or, gift.
Or, gift.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On v7 Num 18:7 Therefore thou and thy sons with thee…
Num 18:7 Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest’s office [unto you] as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
Ver. 7. As a service of gift.] So our Saviour counts and calls his work a gift; "I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." {Joh 17:4} Any employment for, and about God, is a special favour, a high honour.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv6–8 For the Lord, i.e. for the service of the…
For the Lord, i.e. for the service of the Lord, to assist you therein, in the servile and troublesome parts of it.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v8 The priest's service is called a warfare; and who…
The priest's service is called a warfare; and who goes a warfare at his own charges? As they were well employed, so they were well provided for, and well paid. None shall serve God for nought. All believers are spiritual priests, and God has promised to take care of them; they shall dwell in the land, and verily they shall be fed, and shall not want any good thing. Godliness has the promise of the life that now is. And from this plentiful provision here made for the priests the apostle infers that it is the duty of Christian churches to maintain their ministers; those that served at the altar lived upon the altar. So those that preach the gospel should live upon the gospel, and live comfortably, Co1 9:13, Co1 9:14. Scandalous maintenance makes scandalous ministers. Now observe, 1. That much of the provision that was made for them arose out of the sacrifices which they themselves were employed to offer. They had the skins of almost all the sacrifices, which they might sell, and they had a considerable share out of the meat-offerings, sin-offerings, etc. Those that had the charge of the offerings had the benefit, Num 18:8. Note, God's work is its own wages, and his service carries its recompence along with it. Even in keeping God's commandments there is great reward. The present pleasures of religion are part of its pay. 2. That they had not only a good table kept for them, but money likewise in their pockets for the redemption of the first-born, and those firstlings of cattle which might not be offered in sacrifice. Thus their maintenance was such as left them altogether disentangled from the affairs of this life; they had no grounds to occupy, no land to till, no vineyards to dress, no cattle to tend, no visible estate to take care of, and yet had a more plentiful income than any other families whatsoever. Thus God ordered it that they might be the more entirely addicted to their ministry, and not diverted from it, nor disturbed in it, by any worldly care or business (the ministry requires a whole man); and that they might be examples of living by faith, not only in God's providence, but in his ordinance. They lived from hand to mouth, that they might learn to take no thought for the morrow; sufficient for the day would be the provision thereof: and they had no estates to leave their children, that they might by faith leave their children, that they might by faith leave them to the care of that God who had fed them all their lives long. 3. Of the provision that was made for their tables some is said to be most holy (Num 18:9, Num 18:10), which was to be eaten by the priests themselves, and in the court of the tabernacle only; but other perquisites were less holy, of which their families might eat, at their own houses, provided they were clean, Num 18:11-13. See Lev 21:10, etc. 4. It is commanded that the best of the oil, and the best of the wine and wheat, should be offered for the first-fruits unto the Lord, which the priest were to have, Num 18:12. Note, We must always serve and honour God with the best we have, for he is the best, and best deserves it; he is the first, and therefore must have the first ripe. Those that think to save charges by putting God off with the refuse do but deceive themselves, for God is not mocked. 5. All this is given to the priests by reason of the anointing, Num 18:8. It was not for the sake of their personal merits above other Israelites that they had these tributes paid to them, be it known unto them; but purely for the sake of the office to which they were anointed. Thus all the comforts that are given to the Lord's people are given them by reason of the anointing which they have received. It is said to be given them by an ordinance for ever (Num 18:8), and it is a covenant of salt for ever, Num 18:19. As long as the priesthood should continue this should continue to be the maintenance of it, that this lamp might not go out for want of oil to keep it burning. Thus provision is made that a gospel ministry should continue till Christ comes, by an ordinance for ever. Lo, I am with you (that is their maintenance and support) always, even to the end of the world. Thanks be to the Redeemer, it is the word which he has commanded to a thousand generations.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv6–8 And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the…
And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites, from among the children of Israel,.... See Gill on Num 3:12; where the same is said, only they, are here called the brethren of the priests for the reason given, Num 18:2,
to you they are given as a gift for the Lord, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; See Gill on Num 3:7, Num 3:8, and See Gill on Num 3:9.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv6–8 To you they are given as a gift -…
To you they are given as a gift - We are to value it as a great gift of the divine bounty, to have those joined to us, that will be helpful and serviceable to us, in the service of God.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv6, 8 Num 18:6-7. To you they are given as a…
Num 18:6-7. To you they are given as a gift — We are to value it as a great gift of the divine bounty, to have those joined to us that will be helpful and serviceable to us in the service of God. The altar — Of burnt-offering. Within the veil — This phrase here comprehends both the holy and the most holy place. As a gift — Which I have freely conferred upon you, and upon you alone; and therefore let no man henceforth dare either to charge you with arrogance in appropriating this to yourselves, or to invade your office.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv6, 8 The Lord instructs here the priests that the office…
The Lord instructs here the priests that the office which they fill, and the help which they enjoy, are gifts from Him, and are to be viewed as such.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv7–8 Priests. Hebrew, "you shall serve in the ministry of…
Priests. Hebrew, "you shall serve in the ministry of priests which I have given you." The office was not due to them on account of any superior merit. (Haydock)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On v8 THE PRIESTS' PORTION. (Num 18:8-20)
THE PRIESTS' PORTION. (Num 18:8-20)
the Lord spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of my heave offerings--A recapitulation is made in this passage of certain perquisites specially appropriated to the maintenance of the priests. They were parts of the votive and freewill offerings, including both meat and bread, wine and oil, and the first-fruits, which formed a large and valuable item.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv6–8 6. Given as a gift — See Num_3:9; Num_8:16,…
6. Given as a gift — See Num_3:9; Num_8:16, note. The duties of the priests were liturgical, those of the Levites were martial. At a later period the Levites were organized entirely in a military manner. It must be borne in mind that their functions, as described in the book of Numbers, refer only to the time of the people’s wandering, and not to their duties after their settlement in the Holy Land.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv6–8 6. a gift, given unto Jehovah] See on Num_3:9.
6. a gift, given unto Jehovah] See on Num_3:9.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv7–8 (7) And within the vail.—i.e., the vail which separated…
(7) And within the vail.—i.e., the vail which separated the holy place from the most holy. The word which is employed in this place (parocheth) is used only of the second vail. (See Lev_16:12.) When the outer vail or hanging is designed to be understood, the word used is masak. The reference appears to be to the whole of the priestly duties which were discharged by Aaron and his sons, from those connected with the altar of burnt offering to those which were performed in the most holy place.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv6–8 I have taken your brethren the Levites. See on…
I have taken your brethren the Levites. See on Num_3:9 Num_8:19.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v7
Numbers
SERVICE A GIFT
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Num 18:7.
All Christians are priests-to offer sacrifices, alms, especially prayers; to make God known to men.
I. Our priesthood is a gift of God’s love.
We are apt to think of our duties as burdensome. They are an honour and a mark of God’s grace.
1. They are His gift-
{a} The power to do. All capacities and possessions from Him.
{b} The wish to do. ‘Worketh in you to will.’
{c} The right to do, through Christ.
2. They are a blessing.
{a} Note the good effects on ourselves-the increase of fellowship with Him, the strengthening of all holy desires.
{b} The future benefits. Apply this to prayer and to effort on behalf of our fellow-men.
II. Our priesthood is to be done as a service-under a sense of obligation to a master, with diligence {an [Greek: ergon], not a [Greek: parergon]}.
III. Our priesthood is to be done as a gift to God-to be done joyfully, giving ourselves back to Him: ‘Yield yourselves unto God’-’your reasonable service.’
Then only do we really possess ourselves, and ‘all things are ours, for we are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.’
Alexander MacLaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture (1904–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v8 The Priests’ Share of the Sacrifices
The Priests’ Share of the Sacrifices
v. 8. And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave-offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel, whatever they set aside for the Lord, either by the Law or in the form of a free-will offering; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing and to thy sons by an ordinance forever. These were priestly revenues, Num 5:9.
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v. 9. This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat-offering of theirs, and every sin-offering of theirs, and every trespass-offering of theirs which they shall render unto Me shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons. Falling to the lot of the priests out of the sacrificial fire, they were to be regarded as being strictly set apart from profane and common use.
v. 10. In the most holy place, in the place reserved for that purpose in the court of the Tabernacle, Lev 6:9; Lev 6:19; Lev 7:6, shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it; it shall be holy unto thee. The burnt offering is not included in this list, since only the hide of such sacrifices became the portion of the priests.
v. 11. And this is thine: the heave-offering of their gift, all the offerings of the people that were made in this manner, with all the wave-offerings of the children of Israel; I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute forever; every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it. Lev 22:2-13.
v. 12. All the best of the oil and all the best of the wine and of the wheat, the first-fruits of them which they shall offer unto the Lord, them have I given thee. Cf Deu 26:2-10; Deu 8:8; Lev 19:23-24.
v. 13. And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the Lord, Num 15:19; Exo 22:29; Exo 23:19; Exo 34:26; Lev 2:14, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it.
v. 14. Everything devoted in Israel, consecrated to God by a vow, shall be thine, Lev 27:28.
v. 15. Everything that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the Lord, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine, Exo 13:2; Exo 22:29; Lev 27:26; nevertheless the first-born of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstlings of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem, Exo 13:13; Exo 34:20.
v. 16. And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the Sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs. Cf Num 3:47; Lev 27:2 ff.
v. 17. But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat thou shalt not redeem; they are holy. Being clean animals, they could be consecrated as sacrifices to the Lord. Thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savor unto the Lord, Lev 3:2-5.
v. 18. And the flesh of them shall be thine; as the wave-breast and as the right shoulder, the heave-shoulder, are thine.
v. 19. All the heave-offerings of the holy things which the children of Israel offer unto the Lord have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute forever; it is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord unto thee and to thy seed with thee, an indissoluble covenant, an inviolable agreement. Cf Lev 2:13. In this manner the priesthood of Aaron and his family was once more firmly established in Israel, to serve the people in upholding the fellowship between them and Jehovah.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv6, 8 Connecting Statement:
Connecting Statement:
Yahweh continues speaking to Aaron.
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They are a gift to you
Yahweh appointing the Levites to help Aaron is spoken of as if they were a gift that Yahweh were giving to Aaron. AT: "They are like a gift to you" (See: Metaphor)
given to me
Here "given" to God represents being set apart to serve God. This can be stated in active form. AT: "which I have set apart for myself" or "and I have set them apart for myself" (See: Metonymy and Active or Passive)
only you and your sons
Here "you" and "your" are singular and refer to Aaron. Other occurrences of "you" and "your" are plural and refer to Aaron and his sons. (See: Forms of You)
exercise the priesthood
"do the work of priests"
everything inside the curtain
Being inside the curtain represents being inside the room behind the curtain. AT: "everything in the room behind the curtain" (See: Metonymy)
Any foreigner who approaches must be put to death
This can be stated in active form. AT: "Any foreigner who approaches must die" or "You must put to death any foreigner who approaches" (See: Active or Passive)
who approaches
What they should not approach can be stated clearly. AT: "who approaches the sacred things" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
translationWords
descend
gift
curtain
fulfill
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv6–8 18:6-7 Levites . . . your special assistants: As…
18:6-7 Levites . . . your special assistants: As explained in Num 3–4; see also 3:9; 8:16, 19.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.