Bible Commentary

Numbers 3:1-51

The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:1-51

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

THE NUMBERS AND DUTIES OF THE LEVITES; THEIR SUBSTITUTION FOR THE FIRSTBORN ().

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Numbers 3:1-13There was much work belonging to the priests' office, and there were now only Aaron and his two sons to do it; God appoints the Levites to attend them. Those whom God finds work for, he will find help for. The Levites w…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Separation of the Levites. (b. c. 1490.)THE SEPARATION OF THE LEVITES. (B. C. 1490.) Here, I. The family of Aaron is confirmed in the priests' office, Numbers 3:10. They had been called to it before, and consecrated; here they are appointed to wait on their p…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:1-51THE FAMILIES OF LEVI GET THEIR SEVERAL COMMISSIONS The third and fourth chapters of Numbers form a section by themselves, and of this section the opening verse is the descriptive title: THE GENERATIONS OF AARON AND MOSE…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:1These … are the generations of Aaron and Moses. The word "generations" (toledoth) is used here in a peculiar and, so to speak, technical sense, with reference to what follows, as in Genesis 2:4; Genesis 6:9. It marks a…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:3Whom he consecrated. The "he" is impersonal; the Septuagint has, "whose hands they filled."Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:4A MORTAL SIN "And Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord," &c. I. WHO THEY WERE THAT COMMITTED THIS SIN. Sons of Aaron; elder sons: in whom, therefore, a greater sense of thoughtfulness and responsibility might have been…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:4They had no children. If they had left sons, these would have succeeded to their office, and to the headship of the priestly line. In the sight of Aaron. In his lifetime (cf. Genesis 11:28). Septuagint, "with Aaron." In…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:4STRANGE FIRE There are various kinds of fire used in the service of God which, if not as hateful in his sight as that offered by Nadab and Abihu, are "strange." There is a fire which is appropriate and acceptable, becau…Joseph S. Exell and contributors