and they brought their offering before Yahweh, six covered wagons and twelve oxen; a wagon for every two of the princes, and for each one an ox. They presented them before the tabernacle. Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Accept these from them, that they may be used in doing the service of the Tent of Meeting; and you shall give them to the Levites, to every man according to his service.”
Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites. He gave two wagons and four oxen to the sons of Gershon, according to their service. He gave four wagons and eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv3, 5, 7 Like horse litters, to keep the things that were…
Like horse litters, to keep the things that were carried in them from weather.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On v8 Num 7:8 And four wagons and eight oxen he…
Num 7:8 And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
Ver. 8. And four waggons and eight oxen.] Double the number of what the Gershonites had, because their carriage was heavier; God proportions the burden to the back: none of his shall be oppressed, though "pressed out of measure above strength," {2Co 1:8} as Joseph was, whom the archers hated, and shot at: "But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob," ever reserved for a dead lift. {Gen 49:23-24 Mat 8:17} {See Trapp on "Gen 49:23"} {See Trapp on "Gen 49:24"} {See Trapp on "Mat 8:17"}
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 vv3, 5, 8 Covered wagons, for the more convenient and safe carriage…
Covered wagons, for the more convenient and safe carriage of such things as were most cumbersome.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv3–8 And they brought their offering before the Lord,.... Before…
And they brought their offering before the Lord,.... Before the tabernacle, as it is afterwards explained, where he had now taken up his habitation:
six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; according to the number of the twelve tribes, of which they were princes, two oxen for each wagon, which were to carry the tabernacle, and its vessels, from place to place; and which wagons were covered, not only to hide the things to be put into them from the sight of the people, being sacred, but to preserve them from the rain and dust, and the like; and no doubt, but as they were made of the best materials, So they were covered with rich coverings for the honour of the vessels put into them, being the presents of princes, and in which they joined, and could not be ordinary carriages. The word is rendered "litters" in Isa 66:20; and by some, "coaches"; the Targum of Jonathan is,"six wagons yoked,''or drawn with a yoke of oxen; and Aben Ezra says, it signifies a kind of oxen which drew wagons; but the Targum of Jonathan, Jarchi, and Ben Gersom interpret it "covered", as we do:
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a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox; two princes joined in the present of one wagon, which shows it could not be a common wagon, but rich carriage, and ornamented, as the Targum of Jonathan adds; and each prince presented an ox, so that there was a yoke of them for each wagon:
and they brought them before the tabernacle; the Targum of Jonathan says, Moses would not receive them, and therefore they brought them before the tabernacle; and so, says Jarchi, Moses received them not at their hands, until it was declared to him by the mouth of the Lord what he should do, as follows.
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 vv3, 5 Waggons - For the more convenient and safe carriage…
Waggons - For the more convenient and safe carriage of such things as were most cumbersome.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv3, 5, 7, 8 Verse 3. Six covered wagons] שש עגלת צב shesh…
Verse 3. Six covered wagons] שש עגלת צב shesh egloth tsab, six tilted wagons, the Septuagint translate ἑξ ἁμαξας λαμπηνικας, with which the Coptic agrees; but what lampenic chariots were, no person pretends to know. Covered or tilted is probably the meaning of the original. The wagons were given for the more convenient exporting of the heavier parts of the tabernacle, which could not be conveniently carried on men's shoulders.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v5 Num 7:5-8. According to his service — More or…
Num 7:5-8. According to his service — More or fewer, as the nature of their service, and of the things to be carried required. And as the Gershonites had the less burdensome things to carry, (Num 4:25,) they had the fewer carriages allowed them. Four wagons to the sons of Merari — Proportionable to their great burden, Num 4:28; Num 4:33.
Under the hand (or inspection) of Ithamar — For he had the care both of the Gershonites and Merarites, Num 4:28; Num 4:33.
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 vv3, 7 Covered wagons - Some prefer to render “litter Isa…
Covered wagons - Some prefer to render “litter Isa 66:20 wagons:” i. e. litters which were not on wheels, but borne by two oxen, one in front and one behind. Such conveyances would probably be more convenient than wheeled wagons in the rough country to be traversed.
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 vv3, 8 Covered. Destined to carry some parts of the tabernacle.…
Covered. Destined to carry some parts of the tabernacle. (Calmet) --- The Septuagint use a term which, according to Hesychius, denotes the chariots in which people of quality travelled, Lampenes. (Menochius)
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 vv4, 6 The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take it of…
The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take it of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation--They exhibited a beautiful example to all who are great in dignity and in wealth, to be foremost in contributing to the support and in promoting the interests of religion. The strictness of the injunctions Moses had received to adhere with scrupulous fidelity to the divine model of the tabernacle probably led him to doubt whether he was at liberty to act in this matter without orders. God, however, relieved him by declaring His acceptance of the freewill offerings, as well as by giving instructions as to the mode of their distribution among the Levites. It is probable that in doing so, He merely sanctioned the object for which they were offered, and that the practical wisdom of the offerers had previously determined that they should be distributed "unto the Levites, to every man according to his service"--that is, more or fewer were assigned to each of the Levitical divisions, as their department of duty seemed to require. This divine sanction it is of great importance to notice, as establishing the principle, that while in the great matters of divine worship and church government we are to adhere faithfully to the revealed rule of faith and duty, minor arrangements respecting them may be lawfully made, according to the means and convenience of God's people in different places. "There is a great deal left to human regulation--appendages of undoubted convenience, and which it were as absurd to resist on the ground that an express warrant cannot be produced for them, as to protest against the convening of the people to divine service, because there is no Scripture for the erection and ringing of a church bell" [CHALMERS].
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 vv3, 5, 7, 8 THE GIFT OF WAGONS AND OXEN, Num_7:3-9.
THE GIFT OF WAGONS AND OXEN, Num_7:3-9.
3. Six covered wagons — We cannot defend “litters” as the vehicles here intended, as argued by Gesenius and De Wette. The word עגלהetymologically signifies a rolling thing. This meaning is confirmed by its mention in connexion with yokes of oxen. Six times it is translated wagons, fifteen times cart, and once chariot. These covered wagons were probably constructed on Egyptian models. Herodotus mentions a four-wheeled Egyptian vehicle used for sacred purposes. Every two princes gave a wagon and each gave an ox. There is no record of any invitation given by Moses for the presentation of these, as there was in the case of the materials for the tabernacle. We have only a part of his sayings. See closing note on Leviticus 25.
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 v7 7–9. The transport duties of each of the Levitical…
7–9. The transport duties of each of the Levitical families are laid down in ch. 4.
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.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 5, 8 They brought their offering before the Lord, i.e., probably…
They brought their offering before the Lord, i.e., probably to the entrance of the tabernacle. Six covered wagons. bx tlog. The meaning of the qualifying word bx is extremely doubtful. The Targums render it as the A.V On the other hand, Gesenius and. De Wette render it "litters," as the similar word in Isa_66:20 (where the Septuagint has en lamphnaiv hmionwn ). The reading of the Septuagint, amaxav lamphnikav , is equally doubtful. Lamphnh , itself probably a foreign word, is explained by the Scholiasts as amaxa basilikh , or as arma skepaston ; and Aquila has here amaxai skepastai , and the Vulgate plaustra tecta. But Euseb. Emis. understands it as meaning "two-wheeled vehicles." It is a matter of little importance, but the nature of the country itself and the small number of oxen to each carriage point to the probability that they had no wheels, and were carried by the oxen, one in front, and one behind, by means of shafts, as is still the case in parts of India.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v5 Give them unto the Levites, to every man according…
Num_7:5-9
Give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.
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Divine bestowment varied and proportionate
I. That Gods gifts are varied.
1. Men differ widely in many things--parentage, birthplace, physical vigour, mental capacity, education, spiritual gifts, &c.
2. For many of these differences they are themselves largely accountable. Some are crippled by their own indolence, extravagance, neglect, intemperance; others advance by their thrift, sobriety, perseverance, economy, and indomitable industry, to large influence and wealth.
3. But though the way in which men bear themselves may account for many of the differences between them, there are a thousand discrepancies which cannot be thus explained. No child is born in Alyssinia, or on the banks of the Ganges, or in crowded London because it wills it. Men are sick without being to blame for it, and women poor through no fault of their own. We must refer these problems to the Divine sovereignty. There is no other solution for many of lifes mysteries. Even so Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight. If Gershon and Kohath complain that Merari has more than they, Moses sufficient answer will be, God ordained it so.
4. This truth, apprehended and believed, would destroy a thousand seeds of discontent, envy, and socialistic heresy. It is God who bestows wealth (Deu_8:18), honours (Psa_75:6-7), power (Rom_13:1). We receive gracefully the assignment of an earthly superior; why not as gracefully what God appoints?
II. Gods gifts are proportionate. In each case He proportions the means of transportation to the burden assigned.
1. That which is well proportioned is not excessive. This is true of a book, speech, building; eminently true of Gods work. God is bountiful, but never wasteful. We possess no talents or opportunities to be counted superfluous. Christs sufferings are proportioned to the sinners guilt.
2. Not defective.
(1) Let those who are called to trust in Christ remember that His sacrifice, if indispensable, is also fully sufficient.
(2) Let Christian workers remember that with the call will come the qualifications. (W. T. Sabine.)
Endowments and requirements:
I. As Moses appointed to the sons of Levi certain facilities, so the creator has endowed man with certain capabilities for work in his service.
1. Understanding.
2. Invention.
3. Will-power.
4. Judgment.
5. Affections.
6. Physical organs.
II. As Moses required the sons of levi to use their facilities, so God demands the exercise of our capabilities.
1. Yet how much indifference on the part of man in exercising and developing his faculties in useful and honourable employment! Many, instead of gaining their livelihood in the intended way, by the sweat of their face, study all manner of trickery and sin to satisfy their wants.
2. And how many professing Christians become so absorbed in worldly affairs as to neglect the business of the soul. God has claims superior to all claims of the world.
III. Gods requirements are no greater than our endowments. If we cannot give thousands, we can at least devote our two mites. A beautifully tinted leaf in the wood cannot be seen at a distance, yet it contributes its part to the glorious autumnal picture.
IV. Man must use his capabilities according to divine appointment. It is a solemn thing to trifle with the plans of God. Every man has a special power or gift, and he who lives by other laws than those that wrapt his genius at his birth, defeats, in a measure, the object of his creation. (W. G. Thrall.)
An ancient offering, and its modern lessons
I. They who hold the most honourable positions should be most liberal in contributions to worthy objects.
II. They who are not entirely engaged in religious ministries should seek to help those who are so engaged.
III. God is graciously pleased to accept of mans offerings.
IV. Gifts for religious purposes should be used in accordance with the will of God.
V. In the divine arrangements help is granted unto men according to their respective needs. (W. Jones.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v3 they brought
they brought
It is beautiful to observe that, though the offerings of the princes were identical, each is separately recorded by the pen of inspiration. (Cf) Mar 12:41-44.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv4, 6 to each one as his work needs them
to each one as his work needs them
"to each man as he needs them for his work"
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translationWords
works
tent of meeting
Levi
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.