ordinance for to strengthen the faith of Israel walking in his feare so the word them is to be understood both of people and Priests as it is said He will blesse the house of Israel he will blesse the house of Aaron he will blesse them that feare Iehovah the small with the great Psalm 115. 12 13. and his blessing it maketh rich and hee addeth no sorrow with it Prov. 10. 22. And whereas the Priests were sometime simple and sometime wicked men as the sonnes of Eli were sonnes of Belial 1 Sam. 2. 12. lest any should despise the ordinance of God for their unworthinesse this promise is here added And in the Hebrew Canons they have this rule Doe not marvell and say what avayleth the blessing of this simple priest For the receiving of the blessing dependeth not on the Priests but on the holy blessed God as it is written They shall put my name upon the sonnes of Israel and I will blesse them Numb 6. 27. The Priests doe the commandement which is commanded them and the holy blessed God in his mercy blesseth Israel according to his pleasure Maim treat of prayer chap. 15. sect 7. CHAP. VII 1 When the Tabernacle was set up anointed and sanctified the Princes of the tribes give six wagons and twelve Oxen for the service of the Sanctuarie which were given to the Levites of Gershon and Merari 10. The twelue Princes offer every one in his day vessels of silver and gold and cattell for sacrifices of all sorts at the dedication of the Altar 84. The summe and weight of all the vessels and number of all the sacrifices which the Princes did offer 89. God speaketh unto Moses from the Mercie-seat in the Tabernacle ANd it was in the day when Moses had finished the rearing up of the tabernacle had anointed it sanctified it all the instruments thereof the altar and all the instruments thereof and had anointed them and sanctified them Then offered the Princes of Israel heads of the house of their fathers they were the Princes of the Tribes they were those that stood over them that were mustered And they brought their oblation before Iehovah six covered wagons and twelve oxen a wagon for two of the Princes and an oxe for one and they brought them neere before the Tabernacle And Iehovah said unto Moses saying Take it of them that they may be to serve the service of the Tent of the Congregation and thou shalt give them unto the Levites to every man according to his service And Moses tooke the wagons and the oxen and gave them unto the Levites Two wagons and foure oxen he gave unto the sonnes of Gershon according to their service And foure wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sonnes of Merari according to their service under the hand of Ithamar the sonne of Aaron the Priest But unto the sonnes of Kohath he gave none because the service of the Sanctuarie was upon them they should beare with shoulder And the Princes offered for the dedication of the altar in the day that it was anointed and the Princes offered their oblation before the altar And Iehovah said unto Moses One Prince for a day one Prince for a day shall they offer their oblation for the dedication of the altar And he that offered his oblation in the first day was Naasson the sonne of Amminadab of the tribe of Iudah And his oblation was one silver dish an hundred and thirtie shekels was the weight thereof one silver bason of seventie shekels by the shekel of the Sanctuarie both of them full of fine flowre mingled with oile for a meat-offering One cup of ten shekels of gold full of incense One bullocke a yongling of the herd one ramme one lambe of his first yeere for a Burnt-offering One goat-bucke of the goats for a sin offering And for a sacrifice of Peace-offerings two oxen five rammes five hee-goats five lambes of the first yeare this Was the oblation of Naasson the sonne of Amminadab In the second day offered Nethaneel the sonne of Zuar the Prince of Issachar He offered his oblation one silver dish an hundred and thirtie shekels was the weight thereof one silver bason of seventie shekels by the shekel of the Sanctuarie both of them full of fine flowre mingled with oile for a Meat-offring One cup of ten shekels of gold full of incense One bullocke a yongling of the herd One ramme one lambe of his first yeare for a burnt offering One goat-bucke oâ— the goats for a sin offering And for a sacrifice of Peace-offerings two oxen five rammes five hee-goats five lambs of the first yeare this was the oblation of Nethaneel the sonne of Zuar In the third day the Prince of the sonnes of Zabulon Eliab the sonne of Helon His oblation was one silver dish an hundred and thirtie shekels was the weight thereof one silver bason of seventie shekels by the shekel of the Sanctuarie both of them full of fine flowre mingled with oyle for a Meat-offering One cup of ten shekels of gold full of incense One bullocke a yongling of the herd one ramme one lambe of his first yeare for a burnt offering One goat-bucke of the goats for a sin offering And for a sacrifice of Peace-offerings two oxen five rammes five hee-goats five lambes of the first yeere this was the oblation of Eliab the sonne of Helon In the fourth day the Prince of the sonnes of Reuben Elizur the sonne of Shedeur His oblation was one silver dish an hundred and thirtie shekels was the weight thereof one silver bason of seventie shekels by the shekel of the Sanctuarie both of them full of fine flowre mingled with oyle for a Meat-offering One cup of ten shekels of gold full of incense One bullocke a yongling of the herd one ramme one lambe of his first yeare for a burnt-offering One goat-bucke of the goats for a sin offering And for a sacrifice of Peace-offerings two oxen five rammes five hee-goats five lams of the first yeare this was the oblation of Elizur the sonne of Shedeur In the fift day the Prince of the sonnes of Simeon Shelumiel the sonne of Zurishaddai His oblation was one silver dish an hundred and thirty shekels was the weight thereof one silver bason of seventy shekels by the shekel of the Sanctuarie both of them full of fine flowre mingled with oyle for a Meat-offering One cup of ten shekels of gold full of incense One bullocke a yongling of the â—erd one ramme one lamb of his first yeere for a Burnt-offering One goat-bucke of the goats for a sin offering And for a sacrifice of Peace-offerings two oxen five rammes five hee-goats five lambs of the first yeare this was the oblation of Shelumiel the sonne of Zurishaddai In the sixt day the Prince of the sonnes of Gad Eliasaph the sonne of Deguel His oblation was one silver dish an hundred and thirtie shekels was the weight thereof one silver bason of seventie shekels by
hee fell on his necke and wept on his necke still And Israel said unto Ioseph now let mee dye since I have seene thy face because thou art yet alive And Ioseph said unto his brethren and unto his fathers house I will goe-up and shew Pharaoh and wil say unto him my brethren and my fathers house which were in the land of Canaan are come unto me And the men are sheep-herds for they are men that feed cattell and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have And it shall be when Pharaoh shall call you and shall say what are your workes Then yee shall say thy servants have beene men that fed cattell from our youth even untill now both we and also our fathers that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen because every sheep-herd is an abhomination to the Egyptians Annotations BEersheba in Greeke The well of the eath see Gen. 21. 14. 31. and 26. 33. this was the way from Chebron in Canaan towards Egypt and a place where he and his fathers had received mercies from God Gen. 21. 31. 33. and 26. 33. sacrificed that is killed beasts for sacrifice so both giving thankes for the tidings of Ioseph and consulting with God about his going into Egypt whither in former time Isaak his father was forbidden to goe in time of famine Gen. 26. 1. 2. 3. and whereof he now made some doubt v. 3. For he knew the oracle that his seed should bee afflicted in Egypt Gen 15. 13. 14. and now hee and his fathers had beene pilgrimes 215. yeeres from the time that God had promised the inheritance of Canaan unto Abraham Gen. 12. and hee saw little hope of the fulfilling of that promise being now to goe but with 70. soules into an other barbarous country Onely as by faith they had sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country Heb. 11. 9. so now also by faith hee would goe to sojourne in Egypt if God should so command him Among the Gentiles they used also to offer sacrifice when they tooke a journey in hand Festus lib. 14. Vers. 2. visions in Greeke a vision or Sight See Gen. 15. 1. Vers. 3. God Hebr. Ael that is the mighty see Gen. 14. 18. make of thee Hebr. put thee there unto a great nation So Gen. 21. 13. This God had promised him in times before Gen. 28. 14. and 35. 11. Vers. 4. bringing bring-up that is surely bring thee up Gr. will bring thee up unto the end This promise was like that which God gave him when he went to Mesopotamia Gen. 28. 15. And Iakob himselfe was brought againe into Canaan dead Gen. 50. 5. 13. his posterity were brought alive a mighty army Ios. 3. c. And from hence the Hebrew Doctors gather a generall rule that whersoever Israel are in captiuity or affliction the presence of God is with them R Menachem on Gen. 46. upon thine eyes that is shall close up thine eye when thou dyest and so burie thee An ancient and honourable custome used of them and all nations The custome afterwards in Israel about the dead and their buriall was this they closed up the eyes of the dead and if his mouth were open they tyed up his jawes and stopped the holes of his body after that they had washed him and anointed him with ointment made of divers sorts of spices and shaved off his haire and wrapped him in white linnen clothes that were not of deare price and they used to cover the face of the dead with a napkin of a zuz that is a quarter of a shekel price that the poore might bee able also to buy it c. And it was unlawfull to bury them in shrowds of silke or cloth of gold or broiderie though hee were a Prince in Israel for this was grosse pride of spirit and the corrupt worke of infidels And they caried the dead upon their shoulders unto the grave Maimony in Misn. tom 4. treat of Mourning ch 4. S. 1. 2. Vers. 6. into Egypt to sojourne there in the land of Cham. Psal. 105. 23. This journey of his is sundry times mentioned Ios. 24. 4. Esa. 52. 4. Act. 7. 15. Num. 20. 15. Deut. 10. 22. This was in the 130. yeere of Iakobs life Gen. 47. 9. after the promise made to Abraham 215. yeeres Gen. 12. 4. in the yeere of the world 2298. seed that is children or posterity See Gen. 3. 15. and 13. 55. So the Chaldee translateth it sonnes Vers. 7. daughters one daughter Dinah verse 15. so in vers 23. sonne for one sonne Vers. 9. Carmi in Greeke Charmee These foure were heads of their fathers house and of them are named the families of the tribe of Reuben Exod. 6. 14 Num. 26. 5. 6. 1 Chron. 5. 3. So of the rest that follow Vers. 10. Iemuel called also Nemuel in Numb 26. 12. 1 Chro. 4. 14 Ohad in Greeke Aod This man is not mentioned in the families of Simeon Num. 26. 12. 1 Chro. 4. 24. it seemeth hee and his were then perished Iachin called also Iarib 1 Chron. 4. 24. of him was a familie called Iachinites Numb 26. 12. Zohar in Greeke Saar by transposition of letters hee is also called Zerah and his familie Zarhites Num. 26. 13. 1 Chro. 4. 24. Canaanitesse or Canaanitish woman the cursed stocke with which Israels sonnes ordinarily might not marry Gen. 28. 1. Vers. 11. Gershon called also Gershom 1 Chron. 6. 16. Kohath or Kehath in Greeke Kath. This man was grand-father to Aaron and Moses and Marie Exod. 6. 18 20. Of this familie came the Priests of Israel 1 Chro. 6. 3. 4. c. and the Kohathites had the principall place in the service of the sanctuarie Num. 3. 31. and they are reckoned before the Gersonites Num. 4. 34. c. Vers. 12. dyed by untimely death at Gods hand for their sinne Gen. 38. 7 10. Hezron in Greeke Asron but the Apostle writeth him in Greeke Esrom Mat. 1. 3. by interpretation the middest of exultation V. 13. Issachar why his familie is set before other his elder brethren is shewed on Gen. 35. 23. Thola he had a rare blessing in multitude of children for of this Tholah were 22600. valiant men of warre in Davids dayes 1 Chron. 7. 2. There was also a Iudge of this name and tribe Iudg. 10. 1. Phuvah called also Phuah 1 Chron. 7. 1. and so the Greeke here writes him Phoua Iob called also Iashub Num. 26. 24. 1 Chron. 7. 1. and so the Greeke writeth him here Iasoub Simron or Shimron in Greeke Zambran Vers. 14. Elon in Greeke Allon Iahleel in Greeke Aiel Vers. 15. Padan or Mesopotamia see Gen. 25. â—0 There Leahs sonnes were borne but the families of her sonnes here reckoned were borne after they came thence into Canaan all the soules that is persons Gen. 12. 5. Heb. soul which the Greeke translateth soules so after and three counting Iakob himselfe for one as verse 8. and excluding Er and Onan
17. 1. name Iehovah which name denoteth both Gods being in himselfe and his giving of being unto that is the performance of his word and promises as is observed on Gen. 2. 4. in which latter respect he here saith he was not knowne to their fathers by this name or as the Greeke and Chaldee translate he manifested not nor make knowne this name They being sustained by faith in Gods almighty power without receiving the thing promised Act. 7. 5. Heb. 11. 9. 10. But now their children should receive the promise and so have full knowledge and experience of Gods power and goodnes and of the efficacie of that his name Iehovah which therefore they sung to his praise upon their full deliverance from the Egyptians Exod. 15. 3. So upon performance of further promises or judgements he saith they shall know him to be Iehovah Esay 49. 23. and 52. 6. and 60. 16. Ezek. 28. 22. 23. 24. 26. and 30. 19. 25. 26. And Christ in whom all Gods promises are yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. having fulfilled all things for our redemption manifesteth himselfe by this name in the interpretation thereof as that he is Alpha and Omega thâ— beginning and the ending the Lord who Is and who was and who Is to come even the Almighty Revel 1. 8. 17. 18. Otherwise neither Abraham nor Isaak nor Iacob was without the knowledge of this name Iehovah altogether for by it also in part God revealed himselfe to them as Gen. 15. 7. 8. and 26. 24. 25. and 28. 13. But as the glorious ministration of the Law is said to have no glory in respect of the excellent glory of the Gospel 2 Cor. 3. 10. so this is spoken by comparison here The Iewes of a long time have not used this name but for it they reade Adonai that is Lord. One of themselves hath written thus Why doe the Israelites pray in this world and are not heard Because they know not the plaine name of God which is Iehovah in the world to come the world of the Messias God will make it knowne unto them and then they shall be heard Ialkut in Psal. 91. This restimony is true upon them not for the sound of the letters but for the want of faith in Christ who is called Iehovah our Iustice Ierem. 23. 6. when they shall be converted unto him God will heare them Ioh. 16. 23. Vers. 4. established or erected frame and sure see Gen. 6. 18. this was done to Abraham with expresse limitation of the time of Israels release out of Egypt Gen. 15. 13. 18. sojournings or peregrinations pilgrimage see Gen. 17. 8. and 26. 3. and 35. 27. Vers. 6. the burdens the Greeke saith from the power the Chaldee from amidst the tribulation of the servitude of the Egyptians so in verse 7. This mercie is remembred in Psal. 81. 7. firetched our that is lifted up on high as both the Gr. and Chaldee doe explaine it and it signifieth Gods might and open manifestation with continuancie of the same against Egypt till the redemption of Israel were fully performed Deut. 4. 34 2 King 17. 36. Esay 9. 12. 17. 11. Vers. 7. a God or for a God this was the covenant with Abraham see Gen. 17. 7. Vers. 8. life up my hand that is sweare as the Chaldee explaineth it I sweare by my word to give it Of this signe see Gen. 14. 22. Hereof is that speech Iehovah hath sworne with his right hand c. Esay 62. 8. will give it under which figure eternall life in heaven was implied also to the faithfull as is noted on Gen. 12. 5. which Paul confirmeth in Heb. 11. 10. 16. and the Hebrew Doctors say of this that it signified the Ierusalem that is above R. Menachem on Exod. 6. Vers. 9. anguish Hebrew shortnesse that is anger griefe and discouragement of spirit that they could not patiently endure their troubles the Greeke translateth it pusillâ—â—imity or feeblenesse of minde So the short of spirit is opposed to the man slow to wrath Prov. 14. 29. and shortnesse of spirit in Iob was trouble and discouragement Iob 21. 4. A like phrase is of shortnesse of soule whereof see Numb 21. 4. And this griefe and discouragement of Israel was so great that they wished rather to bee let alone that they might serve the Egyptians than to have any further proceeding in this businesse Exod. 14. 12. servitude or bondage which was upon them as the Chaldee addeth the Greeke translateth for hard works And this was the outward cause added to their inward discouragement and little faith Vers. 12. of uncircumcised lips Hebrew superfluous or uncircumcised of lips that is as the Gr. translateth not eloquent as the Chaldee saith of an heavy speech the same which Moses complained before in Exod. 4. 10. but figuratively spoken as having uncircumcised lips that is many superfluous words or unsanctified and so unfit to speake to the King So Esaias complained of polluted lips Esay 6. 5. Of this word superfluous See Gen. 17. 11. Vers. 13. unto that is as the Greeke addeth to goe unto to bring forth that is that they might bring forth so ver 27. see the notes on Gen. 6. 19. Thus Gods worke and faithfulnesse was not hindred by mens unfaithfulnesse neither was Israel saved for their owne righteousnesse who from the first to the last shewed themselves rebellious as Moses after telleth them Deut. 9. 4. 5. 6. 7. 24. Ver. 14. heads that is as the Greeke translateth chiefe governors or captaines This genealogie following is to shew the natural stocke of Moses and Aaron Levites verse 26. 27. and the time of Israels deliverance according to Gods promise verse 16. 18. 20. Enoch Hebrew Chanoch in Greeke Enoch see Gen. 46 9. c. Ver. 16. 137. yeeres This mans age with his sons ver 18. and Nephewes verse 20. serve for the opening of that speech concerning Israels peregrination Ex. 12. 40. see the notes there Vers. 20. his aunt that is his fathers sister as saith the Chaldee paraphrase in the Masorites Bible but the Chaldee set out by Arias Mont. hath the daughter of his fathers sister and the Greeke saith the daughter of his fathers brother neither of them well for she was the daughter of Levi Exod. 2. 1. and so sister to Amrams father Vers. 21. Korah he proved a rebell against Moses Numb 16. 1. c. Vers. 22. Vzziel of him and his two sonnes mention is made in Levit. 10. 4. where he is called Aarons uncle Vers. 23. Elisabet so the Greeke writeth this name and the new Testament Luk. 1. 5. and so we in English the Hebrew soundeth it Elishebangh She was of the tribe of Iudah being the Prince Naassons sister Numb 2. 3. 1 Chron. 2. 3. 10. Nadab and Abihu these dyed before the Lord by a fire Levit. 10. 1. 2. Eleazar hee succeeded his father Aaron in the high priesthood Numb 20. 25. 26. c. Of the priests that were of him and his brother
hundred Of the sonnes of Aser by their generations according to their families according to the house of their fathers by the number of the names from twentie yeeres old and upward every one that went forth with the armie Those that were mustered of them of the tribe of Aser were one and fortie thousand and five hundred The sonnes of Naphtali by their generations according to their families according to the house of their fathers by the number of the names from twentie yeeres old and upward every one that went forth with the armie Those that were mustered of them of the tribe of Naphtali were three and fiftie thousand and foure hundred These are those that were mustered which Moses mustered and Aaron and the Princes of Israel twelve men each one was for the house of his fathers And they were all those that were mustered of the sonnes of Israel according to the house of their fathers from twentie yeeres old and upward everyone that went forth with the armie in Israel Even all that were mustered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fiftie But the Levites according to the tribe of their fathers were not mustered among them For Iehovah had spoken unto Moses saying Onely the tribe of Levi thou shalt not muster neither take the summe of them among the sonnes of Israel But thou appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle of the Testimonie and over all the vessels thereof and over all things that belong to it they shall beare the Tabernacle and all the vessels thereof and they sha 〈…〉 minister unto it and shall encampe round about the Tabernacle And when the Tabernacle setteth forward the Levites shall take it downe and when the Tabernacle is to be pitched the Levites shall set it up and the stranger that commeth nigh shall be put to death And the sonnes of Israel shall encampe every man by his owne campe and every man by his owne standard throughout their armies But the Levites shall encampe round about the Tabernacle of the Testimonie that there be no fervent wrath upon the congregation of the sonnes of Israel and the Levites shall keepe the charge of the Tabernacle of the Testimonie And the sonnes of Israel did so according to all that Iehovah commanded Moses so did they Annotations NVmbers This name is given unto this booke according to the Greeke title because the first chiefe thing here handled is the numbring of the tribes of Israel The Hebrewes give it no other name then of the first words Vajedabber that is And the LORD spake or Bemidbar that is In the wildernesse see the first annotations on Genesis and Exodus And here beginneth the 34. section or lecture of the Law whereof see Gen. 6. 9. Verse 1. Sinai the mount whereon the Law had beene given Exod. 19. by which mountaine Israel yet abode untill the twentieth day of this moneth Numb 10. 11. 12. the Tent or Tabernacle of meeting whither the people were to assemble at the times appointed and where God met with them as he promised Exod. 25. 22. It is called also the Tabernacle of Testimonie v. 43. and so the Greeke translateth it here the first Hebr. the one understanding day as in Mat. 26. 17. compared with Marke 14. 12. see the notes on Gen. 8. 13. And one is often put for first as is noted on Gen. 1. 5. And every first day of the moneth was a feast Numb 28. 11. c. second moneth which we now call Aprill so in Thargum Ionathan it is said the first of the moneth Ijar that is Aprill which is the second moneth In the Scripture it is named Ziv 1. King 6. 1. of the brightnesse and beautie of the flowers which then doe spring But God had spoken before unto them in the first moneth which is related after in Numb 9. 1. c. after their comming forth or of their departing seethe annotations on Exod. 16. 1. God having given them lawes for his service in Exodus and Leviticus doth now settle their church and commonwealth in order Vers. 2. the summe Hebr. the head which some vnderstand for heads that is the Rulers but the Chaldee expoundeth it the summe or count see the notes on Exod. 30. 12. This people was numbred by Moses three times in the first yeere after they came out of Egypt when every man gave a ransome for his soule whereby their redemption by Christ was figured Exod. 30. 11 12. c. 38. 25 26. In the second yeere when now they were to be set in order for their encamping about the Sanctuarie and journeying with it towards Canaan whereof the 4. first chapters of this booke doe treat The third and last muster was in the fortieth yeere the last of their travell when all this generation being dead their sonnes were numbred for to receive inheritance in the land of promise a Figure of the Kingdome of Heaven the sonnes of Israel the twelue tribes Gen. 49. 1. 2. 28. So all strangers are excluded from this numbring The Levites also were numbred apart vers 49. c. families or kindreds which next descended of those twelve tribes of which families see Numb 26. 5. c. house that is as the Greeke translateth houses and these were the next descent of the families aforesaid See Ios. 7. 14. Aben Esra here noteth that it is said the house of their fathers because the familie of the mother is not called a familie everymale whereby the females are excluded as also all children vers 3. their polles or their skulles that is as the Greeke translateth their heads meaning the particular persons so in Exod. 38. 26. V. 3. old Hebr. sonne of twentie yeeres that is going in his twentieth yeere of which phrase see the annotations on Gen. 5. 32. So all children and youths under 20. yeeres were not in this account upward some of the Hebrewes limit the time unto sixtie yeeres old R. Menachem on Numb 1. but the law setteth no such limitation that goeth forth to wit usually or is able to goe forth So all that were unable for the warre through old age sicknesse or other infirmities are not mustered here with Israel shall muster or shall number which in the Hebrew and Greeke hath the name of visiting This numbring of Israel signified Gods providence and care over them which extendeth not onely to their persons but to the very haires of their heads which are all numbred Luk. 12. 7. And in that they are numbred or mustred by their armies it shewed whereunto God had called them even to fight the good sight of faith 1 Tim. 6. 12. By the word of truth by the power of God by the armour of righteousnesse on the right hand and on the lest 2 Cor. 6. 7. Therefore they were to follow the Lord and his Tabernacle going before them to fight against the Canaanites as in our spirituall warfare we are to follow Christ Reu. 12. 7. 19. 11. 14. And onely males
their service Num. 4. 3. And also because there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inheritance given them among the sonnes of Israel Num. 26. 62. but the Lord was their inheritance Deut. 10. 8 9. Now to be numbred apart and not with others signified some speciall favour towards such and care over them as Num. 23. 9. Aaron Aaron the elder brother of Moses and 〈◊〉 Levites therefore their names are mentioned here V. 3. he filled that is consecrated or perfected 〈◊〉 the Greeke translateth See the annotations on Exâ—â— 29. 9. and Levit. 8. V. 4. dyed by a fire from the Lord Levit. 10. 1 2. This is mentioned againe in Num. 26. 61. 1 Chron. 24. 1 2. had no sonnes the Hebrewes as Chazkuni upon this place say if they had had sonnes those sonnes had beene before Eleazar and Ithamar for whosoever is fore-most in inheritance is foremost for honour or dignitie in the sight of Aaron or before the face that is whiles Aaron lived as before the face of Tharah Gen. 11. 38. is while Tharah lived before the Moone and Sunne Psal. 72. 5. 17. is whiles they continue to give light The Greeke translateth With Aaron Elsewhere it is said by the hand of Aaron 1 Chron. 24. 19. Of these two there were so many Priests in Davids dayes that he distributed them into 24. courses sixteene of Eleazar and eight of Ithamar 1 Chron. 24. 3. 4. The Hebrew Doctors say Moses divided the Priests into eight wards or courses foure of Eleazar and foure of Ithamar and so they were untill the Prophet Samuels dayes Then Samuel and David the King parted them into 24. courses And over every course or ward there was one chiefe Provost And they went up to Ierusalem to serve by course every weeke And every sabbath day they changed one course went out and the next after them came in c. Maimony tom 3. treat of the Instruments of the Sanctuarie chapt 4. sect 3. Compare 1 Chron. 9. 22. 25. 2 King 11. 5. 7. V. 6. present it or cause it to stand speaking of the tribe In Greeke present them V. 7. his charge Hebr. his custody or obseruation that is that which he commandeth them to obserue See this phrase in Lev. 18. 30. 〈…〉 of all the congregation the Greeke explaineth it of the sonnes of Israel as in v. 8. So 〈◊〉 2 Chron. 35. 3. serve the Lord your God and his people Israel It meaneth also such things as they were charged to keepe but the Levites now were taken in their stead 〈…〉 to serve the service in Greeke to worke or doe the workes of the Tabernacle which in Num. 8. 11. is said to serve the service of the Lord. After in the 8. verse the Greeke translateth according to all the workes of the Tabernacle The Hebrewes write thus The sâ—ed of Levi are all of them separated for the service of the Sanctuarie And it is commanded that the Levites be prepared and readie for the service of the Sanctuarie whether they be willing or not willing as in Num. 18. 23. And the Levite he shall serve the service of the Tent of the congregation And the sonne of Levi which will take upon him all the Levites commandements saving one thing they receive him not in till he take all upon him Maimony treat of the Instruments of the Sanct. chap. 3. sect 1. V. 9. are given are given that is as the Greeke here and Moses himselfe in Num. 18. 6. explaineth it are a gift given oâ— they are wholly given So the Ministers of the Gospell are called gifts Ephes. 4. 8. 11. 〈…〉 unto him for his helpe in the charge and worke of the Sanctuarie they ministring unto him and he and his sonnes ministring before the Tabernacle Num. 18. 2. 6. V. 11. shalt appoint or constitute set in office as Bishops or Overseers The Greeke explaineth it thou shalt constitute over the Tabernacle of Testimonie their Priests office for every thing of the Altar and within the veile Num. 18. 7. the stranger that is whosoeuer is not of Aarons seed as is explained in Num. 16. 40. for no man taketh the honour unto himselfe but he that is called of God as was Aaron Hebr. 5. 4. So Chazkuni here expoundeth stranger to be Israelite or Levite that commeth neere to minister And Maimony in Biath hamikdash chap. 9. sect 1. saith Who is the stranger Whosoever is not of the seed of Aaron the males And after God himselfe forbiddeth the Levites to come night he vessels of the Sanctuarie and the Altar on paine of death Numb 18. 3. put to death by the magistrate or by the hand of God as was Korah for presuming to doe the Priests office Numb 16. V. 12. every first-borne which before the Levites were taken in their stead did minister to the Lord as is noted on Exod. 24. 5. And upon what occasion God tooke the Levites instead of the first-borne is to be seene in Exod. 32. 26. 29. Deut. 33. 9. shall be mine to minister before me as the Chaldee expoundeth it V. 13. I smote in Chaldee I killed see Exod. 12. 29 30. The Lord having slaine all the first-borne of Egypt and spared the Israelites did therefore challenge for his owne and sanctifie to him-selfe all Israels first-borne Exod. 13. 2. but tooke the Levites and their cattle in stead of Israels first-borne men and cattle Num. 3. 45. and gave them as a gift to Aaron to minister unto him Who being in his Priesthood a type of Christ all these rites are in him fulfilled For unto Christ God gave children Hebr. 2. 13. and they are a congregation of first-borne written in heaven Hebr. 12. 23. being of Gods owne will begotten by the word of truth that they should be a kinde of first-fruits of his creatures Iam. 1. 18. to whom he also giveth the first-fruits of his Spirit Rom. 8. 23. These wait on and follow the Lambe Christ being bought from among men and first-fruits unto God and to the Lambe Rev. 14. 4. These were brought for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations and of them the Lord hath taken for Priests and for Levites Esai 66. 20 21. and Christ hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father that we may serve him day and night in his Temple Rev. 1. 6. and 7. 15. V. 15. Muster or Number Hebr. Visit. This was done by Moses and Aaron v. 39. and by the Princes of the congregation Num. 4. 34. though here the commandement is directed unto Moses onely house in Greeke houses old Heb. sonne of a moneth Tho cause why the Levites were numbred from this age was for that they came in place of the first-borne of Israel whose redemption is appointed from a moneth old Num. 18. 15 16. And they were counted after the houses of their fathers not of their mothers for if a woman of Levi were maried to a man of Iudah or any other tribe her sonne was not a Levite The Hebrew canons say
them foure wagons according unto their service for to ease the cariage Num. 7. 5. 8. Vers. 38. foremost or as the Greeke translateth it Eastward see Num. 2. 3. Moses and Aaron The Hebrewes as Baal hatturim vpon this place doe observe that here is a pause or distinction betweene Moses and Aaron to teach that Moses pitched in one place by himselfe and Aaron and his sonnes in another place by themselves Thus Moses a Levite of Kohath was King in Ieshurun Deut. 33. 5. and Aaron his brother Priest as for Moses two sonnes Gershon and Eliezer Exod. 18. 3 4. here is no mention of them neither in Num. 26. neither had they any prerogative but were among the other Kohathites and named of the tribe of Levi that is common Levites 1 Chron. 24. 14. the charge or the custodie the watch of the Sanctuarie the Levites being assistants under them Num. 18. 2 3. Of the watch which was wont to be kept in the Sanctuary see the annotations on Num. 15. 8. the stranger that is any saving Aaron and his sonnes see verse 10. Vers. 39. and Aaron in the Hebrew there are many extraordinary pricks over the name of Aaron for speciall cause R. Sol. Iarchi saith they were to signifie that Aaron himselfe was not among the number of the Levites none of the 22000. here mentioned Observe Aarons dignitie Hee was the elder brother unto Moses the King Exod. 7. 7. Hee was by mariage brother to Naasson Prince of Iudah for hee had to wife Elisabeth his sister Exod. 6. 23. Hee was joyned with Moses in the government of Israel Psal. 77. 20. He had the prerogative to sacrifice for the whole Church 1 Chron. 23. 13. But Christ our King and Priest after the order of Melchisedek farre excelleth him Hâ—b 7. and 8. chap. two and twentie thousand This summe accordeth not with the former particulars for there were of Gershon 7500. of Kohath 8600. of Merari 6200. which make in all 22. thousand and three hundred But Aaron and the Priests as also the first-borne of the Levites were the Lords after a peculiar manner Exod. 13. 2. and therefore deducted from the rest which were all taken in stead of the first-borne of Israel So there were so many thousand Levites as there are Hebrew letters because they were aboue others to apply the studie of Gods Law Deut. 33. 10. which because they did not according to their dutie God so disposed that Iehozadak the Priest in the 22. generation after Aaron was caried captive with the people into Babylon 1 Chron. 6. 3. 15. And here againe Gods providence appeareth that the Levites increase should be by just thousands and the Priests and first-borne of Levi by hundreds without any broken number such as was among the first-borne of Israel vers 43. See the notes on Num. 1. 25. Againe whereas the least of all the other tribes of Israel from twenty yeeres old and upward had 32000. and 200. Num. 1. v. 34 35. and the greatest 54000. and 600. v. 27. here the Levites which were counted from a moneth old and upward were but 22000. so the Lords portion was the least Yea of these 22. thousand there were found but eight thousand five hundred and fourescore that were fit for to doe service in the Sanctuary Num. 4. 47 48. so small was the number of those that served God in his ministerie in comparison with the campes of Israel Vers. 40. Muster or Number moneth old Hebr. sonne of a moneth Vers. 41. for me or unto me as the Chaldee expounds it thou shalt bring neere the Levites before me every first-borne or all the first-borne which being appointed unto the Lords service the Lord taketh the Levites to serve him in their stead This was for the first-borne males of man and beast which the Israelites now had all the first-borne that came after this were to be redeemed or given to the Priest Num. 18. 15. See the notes on verse 12. and 13. Vers. 43. and seventie and three God 's speciall providence appeareth againe in this number of the first-borne that it should be so neere unto the number of the Levites taken in their stead whom God destinated from the womb unto his service and made the summes of them so neere A like worke of God is observed by Moses in Deut. 32. 8. how he had appointed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sonnes of Israel And whereas six hundred thousand men and moe Num. 1. 46. had but 22. thousand and 273. first-borne males in all their families it appeareth that the farre greater number of Israels first-borne were females who by reason of their sex were not fit to serve God in his sanctuary Which figured the small number of Gods elect among the many that are called Mat. 22. 14. Rom. 9. 6 7 8. For the elect are such as doe serve God day and night in his Temple Revel 7. 15. and are Priests unto God Rev. 5. 10. Vers. 45. shall be mine which the Chaldee explaineth shall minister before me Vers. 46. those that are to be redeemed Hebr. And the redeemed or as the Greeke translateth it And the redemptions or ransomes So after in vers 48 49 51. Here the overplus of the first-borne of man is reckoned and the summe of their ransome vers 50. but the overplus of cattle is not reckoned Vers. 47. five shekels a peece Heb. five five shekels which the Greeke translateth five shekels by the head These five shekels the price set here and in Num. 18. 16. was the value set in Lev. 27. 6. from a moneth old to five yeeres old and it was the least of all the valuations so that God burdened the Israelites with the ransomes as little as might be twentie geraâ—s or twentie pence the gerah was a peece of silver that weighed sixteene barley graines so the shekel weighed 320. graines see the notes on Exod. 30. 13. Vers. 48. the money Hebr. the silver so in vers 49 50 51. of the redeemed understand the money of those that are redeemed or as the Greeke translateth the redemptions of those that are moe Vers. 50. Of the first-borne in Hebrew Bâ—chor the First-borne is singular as spoken of one but translated in Greeke plurally as implying all And this seemeth to be taken not of particular persons as of them that were last numbred or any other for so the burden should have lien vnequally upon a few but of the church in generall Or to cut off contention it was done by lot as R. Solomon Iarchi saith he brought 22000. scrolles or papers according to the number of the Levites vers 39. and on every of them was written A son of Levi and 273. papers according to the number of the First-borne Israelites moe than the Levites vers 46. and on every of them was written Five shekels they mingled them and put them in a basket then said he unto them come draw your papers according to your lot Vers. 51.
of them that were redeemed the Greeke translateth the silver the ransomes of them that were overplus this was given to Aaron because the Levites were given to him vers 9. and when Levites failed this money was in their stead not the first-borne themselves but their ransomes for which the other Levites supplied their place and service This redeeming of men by silver fore-shadowed a better redemption by Christ as it is written Yee know that yee were not redeemed 〈◊〉 corruptible things as silver and gold c. but with the pretious bloud of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. according to the moâ—th that is the word as the Chaldee translateth and the Greeke by the voice of the Lord. CHAP. IV. 1. The age and time of the Levites service 4. The cariage of the Kohathites when the Priests have taken downe the Tabernacle 16. The charge of Eleazar 17. The office of the Priests 21. The cariage of the Gershonites 29. The cariage of the Merarites 34. The number of the Kohathites that served 38. of the Gershonites 42. and of the Merarites ANd Iehovah spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying Take the summe of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi according to their families according to the house of their fathers From thirty yeeres old and upward even untill fifty yeeres old every one that entreth into the armie to doe the worke in the tent of the congregation This shall be the service of the sonnes of Kohath in the tent of the congregation the holinesse of holinesses And Aaron shall come and his sonnes when the campe setteth forward and they shall take downe the Veile of the covering and cover with it the Arke of the Testimonie And they shal put thereon a covering of Tachash skin and shall spreade a cloth wholly of blew above and shall put in the barres thereof And upon the Table of Shew-bread they shall spreade a cloth of blew and put thereon the dishes and the cups and the bowles and the covers to cover withall and the continuall bread shall be thereon And they shall spreade upon them a cloth of scarlet and cover it with a covering of Tachash skin and shall put in the barres thereof And they shall take a cloth of blew and cover the Candlesticke of the light and the lamps thereof and the tongs thereof and the snuffe-dishes thereof and all the oile vessels thereof wherewith they minister unto it And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of Tachash skin and shall put it upon a staffe And upon the Altar of gold they shall spreade a cloth of blew and cover it with a covering of Tachash skin and shall put in the barres thereof And they shall take all the instruments of ministerie wherewith they minister in the Sanctuarie and put them in a cloth of blew and cover them with a covering of Tachash 〈◊〉 and shall put them on a staffe And they shall take away the ashes from the altar and spreade upon it a cloth of purple And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof wherewith they minister about it the fire-pans the flesh-hookes and the shovels and the basons all the vessels of the Altar and they shall spreade upon it a covering of Tachash skin and put in the barres of it And Aaron and his sonnes shall make an end of covering the Sanctuarie and all the vessels of the Sanctuarie when the campe is to set forward and after that the sonnes of Kohath shall come to beare it and they shall not touch the holinesse lest they die these things shall be the burden of the sonnes of Kohath in the Tent of the congregation And to the oversight of Eleazar the sonne of Aaron the Priest pertaineth the oile of the Light and the incense of sweet spices and the continuall meat-offering and the anointing oile the oversight of all the Tabernacle and of all that therein is in the Sanctuarie and in the vessels thereof And Iehovah spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites But this doe unto them that they may live and not die when they approach unto the holinesse of holinesses Aaron and his sonnes shall goe in and appoint them every man unto his service and to his burden But they shall not goe in to see when the Sanctuarie is covered lest they die 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And Iehovah spake unto Moses saying Take the summe of the sonnes of Gershon of them also according to the house of their fathers according to their families From thirty yeeres old and upward unto fifty yeeres old shalt thou muster them every one that entereth to warre the warfare to serve the service in the Tent of the congregation This shall be the service of the families of the Gershonites to serve and for the burden And they shall beare the curtaines of the Tabernacle and the Tent of the congregation the covering thereof and the covering of Tachash skin that is upon it above and the hanging veile for the doore of the Tent of the congregation And the tapestry hangings of the Court and the hanging veile for the doore of the gate of the Court which is by the Tabernacle and by the Altar round about and their cords and all the instruments of their service and all that is made for them and they shall serve At the mouth of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sonnes of the Gershonites in all their butden and in all their service and yee shall appoint unto them in charge all their burden This is the service of the families of the sonnes of the Gershonites in the Tent of the congregation and their charge shall be under Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest The sonnes of Merari according to their families according to the house of their fathers shalt thou muster them From thirtie yeeres old and upward even unto fifty yeeres old shalt thou muster them every one that entreth into the armie to serve the service of the Tent of the congregation And this shall be the charge of their burden according to all their service in the Tent of the congregation the boords of the Tabernacle and the barres thereof and the pillars thereof and the sockets thereof And the pillars of the Court round about and their sockets and their pinnes and their coards with all their instruments and with all their service and by names shall ye reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari according to all their service in the Tent of the congregation under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest And Moses and Aaron and the Princes of the congregation mustered the sonnes of the Kohathites according to their families and according to the house of their fathers From thirtie yeeres old and upward even unto fifty yeeres old every
one that entred into the Armie for the service in the Tent of the Congregation And those that were mustered of them according to their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty These were they that were mustered of the families of the Kohathites every one that served in the Tent of the congregation which Moses and Aaron did muster according to the mouth of Iehovah by the hand of Moses And those that were mustered of the sonnes of Gershon according to their families and according to the house of their fathers Form thirtie yeeres old and upward even unto fifty yeeres old every one that entred into the armie for the service in the Tent of the congregation Even those that were mustered of them according to their families according to the house of their fathers were two thousand and six hundred and thirtie These were they that were mustered of the families of the sonnes of Gershon every one that served in the Tent of the congregation whom Moses and Aaron did muster according to the mouth of Iehovah And those that were mustered of the families of the sonnes of Merari according to their families according to the house of their fathers From thirtie yeeres old and upward even unto fifty yeeres old every one that entred into the armie for the service in the Tent of the congregation Even those that were mustered of them according to their families were three thousand and two hundred These were they that were mustered of the families of the sonnes of Merari whom Moses and Aaron mustered according to the mouth of Iehovah by the hand of Moses All those that were mustered whom Moses and Aaron and the Princes of Israel mustered of the Levites according to their families and according to the house of their fathers From thirtie yeeres old and upward even unto fifty yeeres old every one that entred to serve the service of service and the service of burden in the Tent of the congregation Even those that were mustered of them were eight thousand and five hundred and eightie According to the mouth of Iehovah mustered he them by the hand of Moses every man according to his service and according to his burden and they were mustered of him as Iehovah commanded Moses Annotations TAke the summe Hebr. To take of which phrase see the notes on Exod. 13. 3. the head and that in number is the summe as the Greeke translateth it and the Chaldee saith the Count or reckoning of the sonnes of Kohath whose families are here first reckoned because they were to carry the holiest things Of Kohaths preheminence see the notes on Num. 3. 28. Of him Chazkuni here observeth Though Gershon was the first-borne yet Kohath is first reckoned because â—ee carried the Arke house in Greeke houses so after sundry times in this chapter Vers. 3. thirtie yeeres old Hebr. a sonne of thirtie yeeres of which phrase see the notes on Gen. 5. 32. Here the beginning of their service is at thirtie yeeres of age in Num. 8. 24. it is said to be at five and twentie yeeres according to which the Greeke here and in vers 23. 30. translateth it five and twentie and in Davids 〈◊〉 began at twentie 1 Chron. 23. 24. and so in Ezeki 〈◊〉 dayes 2 Chron. 31. 17. and after in Ezraes 〈◊〉 the Levites were appointed from twentie years old and upward Ezra 3. 8. The places in Moses may thus be accorded that here he speaketh of catring upon their full ministration which being laborious to cary the Sanctuary c. required full strength of body and discretion of minde and began therefore at 30. But in Num. 8. 24. he appointeth 25. for the beginning of their learning to doe the workes So Maimony saith A son of L 〈…〉 mmeth not into the Court unto his service untill they have first learned him five yeeres as it is said in Num. 8. 24. FROM FIVE AND TWENTIE YEERES OLD and another scripture saith in Num. 4. 3. FROM THIRTIE YEERES OLD loe five are for him to learne And he entreth not upon his service till he be growne great and be a man as it is said in Num. 4. 49. EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS SERVICE Misn. tom 3. treat of the instruments of the Sanct. c. 3. s. 7. Chazkuni on Num. 8. reconcileth it thus at 25. yeeres old they entred all of them to doe the lighter workes as to watch that no stranger came into the Sanctuarie c. and at 30. yeeres of age they were in their strength and did beare the Sanctuâ—ie c. Now this age of 30. yeeres for the numbring of the Levites continued also in Davids time 1 Chron. 23. 3. But then the Levites were no more to cary the Tabernacle nor any vessels of it vers 26. so by the last words of David the Levites were numbred from twentie yeeres old and about vers 27. which David did by direction from the Lord 1 Chron. 28. 13. 19. that beginning to learne sooner they might be the fitter at thirtie to serve the Lord and his people And it is probable that the multitude of people and so of sacrifices increasing the Levites if they had not ministred till 30. yeeres old would not have sufficed for the service of the Temple therefore God then by David altered the time of their entrance This age of 30. yeeres was by Gods providence in Ioseph when he began to governe Egypt Gen. 41. 4â— in David when he began to reigne 2 Sam. 5. 4. Iohn the Baptist a Levite began also his ministerie at that age and Christ fulfilling all figures at the same age began the preaching of the Gospel Luke 1. 35 36. and 3. 2. 3. 23 c. It 〈◊〉 them also that the ministers of the Lord should be no Novices or young schollers as 〈…〉 6. untill 50. yeeres old Hebr. and 〈…〉 sonne of 50. â—eenes at what time naturall 〈◊〉 usually beginneth to decay therefore God would haue them then leave off the harder 〈◊〉 but still they ministred with their brethren in the Tabernacle to keepe the charge c. 〈◊〉 8. 26. into the armieâ— or to the man 〈◊〉 is further explained in vers 23. to warre 〈…〉 are which the Greecke translateth to 〈◊〉 〈…〉 upon the Apostle calleth the worke of the 〈…〉 ry to warre a good warfare 1 Tim. 1. â—8 and 〈…〉 tioneth the weapons of their warfare 2 Cor. 10. 4. and calleth Timothee a good souldier of Iesus Christ 2 Tim. 2. 3 4. because by the sword of the spirit and other weapons of right cousnesse they were to cast downe imaginations and lusts that war in mens members Eph. 6. 17. 2 Cor. 6. 7. and 10. 5. Iam. 4. 1. Compare Exod. 38. 8. to doe the worke in Greeke all the workes in Chaldee to serve the service this explaineth the former warfare to bee holy and spirituall So the Bishops office is called a good worke 1 Tim. 3. 1. for it is to labour in the word and doctrine 1 Tim. 5. 17. Vers.
of him Aaron and of him Eleazar 1 Chron. 6. 1 2 3. Vers. 18. one Prince one Prince of a tribe that is of every tribe one Prince See the like phrase in Numb 13. 2. and 17. 6. Ios. 3. 12. and 4. 2. 4. to divide the land by inheritance or to inherit the land as the Hebrew properly and usually signifieth and this latter some of the Hebrewes as larchi and Kimchi do retaine expounding it of the Princes who in stead of the people and as their tutors and governours first tooke the possession in the name of their tribes and after distributed it unto them by their families But the Chaldee here and againe in Ios. 19. 49. where the like phrase is also used both the Chaldee and Greeke doe there translate it cause to inherit or divide by inheritance and so Moses explaineth it in vers 29. Vers. 19. Caleb he was one of the Spies sent to view the land of whom see Num. 13. 7 31. and 14. 24. Ios. 14. 6. c. Vers. 20. Samuel or Shemuel the notation of which name see in 1 Sam. 1. 20. The Greeke calleth him Salamiel by a mistaking from Num. 1. 6. Ammihud in Greeke Semioud so in Numb 1. 10. Vers. 21. Elidad in Greeke Eldas the sonne of Chaslon Vers. 22. Bukki in Greeke Bokkâ—r sonne of Iekli Vers. 23. Hanniel in Greeke Aniel sonne of Sâ—â—phid Vers. 24. Kemuel in Greeke Kamouel sonne of Saphtan Vers. 25. Parnach or Pharnach in Greeke Charnach Vers. 26. Paltiel or Phaltiel in Greeke Phantiel sonne of Oza Vers. 27. Ahihud or Achihud in Greeke Achiod sonne of Selemi Vers. 28. Pedahel in Greeke Phadiel Observe here the order of the tribes as they were named with their Princes 1. Iudah 2. Si 〈…〉 3. Benjamin 4. Dan 5. Manasses 6. Ephraim 7. Zabulon 8. Issachar 9. Aser 10. Naphtali This order agreeth not with that in Numb 1. nor with that in Numb 7. nor in Numb 26. nor any before set downe but is thus disposed by Gods wisdome and providence before hand as they did after inherit the land Iudah is first having the first lot and he dwelt in the South part of the land Ios. 15. 1 c. Simeon is next him because his inheritance was within the inheritance of the sons of Iudah Ios. 19. 1. The next was Benjamin who had his lot by Iudah betweene the sons of Iudah and the sons of Ioseph Ios. 18. 11. The fourth was Dan for his lot â—ell by Benjamins westward in the Philistines country as is to be seene by his cities in Ios. 19. 40 41 c. Then Manasses and by him Ephraim his brother whose inheritances were behind Bejamins as before is noted Ios. 16. and 17. Next them dwelt Zabulon and Issachar of whose lots see Ios. 19. 10. 17. Last of all dwelt Aser and Naphtali in the North parts of Canaan of whose lots see Ios. 19. 24. 32 c. And as when they encamped about Gods Tabernacle they were ordered according to their brotherhoods as is noted on Numb 2. so in the dividing and inheriting of the land we may see the like For Iudah and Simeon both sonnes of Leah dwelt abrest one by another Benjamin of Rachel and Dan of Rachels maid dwelt next abrest Manasses and Ephraim both sons of Ioseph by his mother Rachel had the next place one by another Zabulon and Issachar who dwelt next together were both sonnes of Leah So the last paire were Aser of Leahs maid and Naphtali of Rachels maid Thus God in nominating the Princes that should divide the land foresignified the manner of their possession and that they should be seated to dwell as bre 〈…〉 together in unity for the mutuall helpe and comfort one of another as is noted of the first two Iudah and Simeon who joyned together in warre against the Canaanites Iudg. 1. 1 2 3. Vers. 29. to divide the inheritance unto or to give the sonnes of Israel inheritance According to this commandement so was it fulfilled by Eleazar the Priest and Iosua the sonne of Nun and the beads of the fathers of the tribes of the sons of Israel who divided the inheritance unto the people by lot in Shiloh before the LORD at the doore of the Tabernacle of the Congregation Ios. 19. 51. CHAP. XXXV 1 The Lord commandeth Israel to give eight and fortie cities for the Levites with their suburbs and measure thereof 6 Six of them are to be cities of refâ—gâ— 9 The lawes of murder when the man-slayer might have the benefit of the cities of refuge and when he must be put to death 31 No ransome might be taken for the murderer that was worthy of death ANd Iehovah spake unto Moses in the plaines of Moab by Iordan neere Iericho saying Command the sons of Israel that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in and suburbs to the cities round about them shall yee give unto the Levites And the cities shall be for them to dwell in and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattell and for their goods and for all their beasts And the suburbs of the cities which yee shall give unto the Levites shall be from the wall of the citie and outward a thousand cubits round about And ye shall measure from without the citie on the East-side two thousand cubits and on the South-side two thousand cubits and on the Sea-side two thousand cubits and on the North-side two thousand cubits and the citie shall be in the midst this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities And the cities which yee shall give unto the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge which ye shall give for the man-slayer to flee thither and above them yee shall give fortie and two cities All the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites shall be forty and eight cities them and their suburbs And the cities which ye shall give for the possession of the sons of Israel from them that have many ye shall give many and from them that have few ye shall give few every man according to his inheritance which they inherit hee shall give of his cities unto the Levites And Iehovah spake unto Moses saying Speake unto the sonnes of Israel and say unto them When ye be come over Iordan into the land of Canaan Then ye shall appoint for you cities cities of refuge shal they be for you that the man-slayer may flee thither which smiteth a soule by errour And the cities shall be unto you for refuge from the avenger that the man-slayer die not untill he stand before the Congregation for judgement And the cities which ye shall give the six cities of refuge shall be for you Three cities ye shall give on this side Iordan and three cities shall yee give in the land of Canaan cities of refuge shall they be For the sonnes of Israel and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them shall these six cities be for a refuge
Simeon with Reuben in the former blessing thus Let Reuben live and not die and let Simeon be many in number the voice when he praieth as the Chaldee translateth Receive O Lord the praier of Iudah when hee goeth forth to warre This blessing is to bee compared with Iakobs who likeneth Iudah to a Lions whelpe gone up from the prey c. Gen. 49. 9. and it had accomplishment in David who was of Iudah and a fighter of the Lords battels in which hee often praied as his Psalmes testifie Likewise in Abijah and the Iewes against Israel 2 Chron. 13. 14 18. in Asa warring against the Ethiopians 2 Chron. 14. 11 12 13. in Iehosaphat fighting against the Ammonites 2 Chron. 20. 5 6 18. in Ezekias against the Assyrians 2 Chron. 32. 20 21 22. and others But chiefly in Christ the Lion of the tribe of Iudah Revel 5. 5. him God did heare alwaies Ioh. 11. 42. bring thou him the Chaldee addeth in peace and Thargum Ionathan addeth from the battell in peace This had accomplishment as otherwise so in Davids returne to his people and kingdome 2 Sam. 19. 11 15. and Christs returne unto Israel whereof see Rom. 11. 26 31. be enough for him when he fighteth as God taught Davids hands to warre and his fingers to fight Psalme 144. 1. and girded him with strength to battell 2 Sam. 22. 35 40. The Greek translateth judge for him the Chald. execute vengeance for him on them that hate him So in Gen. 49. 8. thine hand Iudah shall bee in the necke of thine enemies be thou for by his owne strength no man shall prevaile 1 Sam. 2. 9. Therefore David often acknowledged God to be his helper Psal. 28. 7. and 40. 17. and 54. 4. and 63. 7. and 118. 7. c. Vers. 8. of Levi or unto Levi that is the tribe or posterity of Levi as in Thargum Ionathan it is said And Moses the Prophet blessed the tribe of Levi and said thy Thummim and thy Vrim by interpretation thy perfections and thy Lights these were mysteries put into the high Priests brest-plate whereof see the Annotations on Exod. 28. 30. so they signifie here the graces and office of the Priesthood which was committed to Aaron and his seed till Christ came who had the Priest-hood for ever after a more excellent order Heb. 6. 20. And the speech here may bee directed unto God who gave these mysteries to the Priest and so the Chald. explaineth it Thummim Vrim thou didst put upon the man that was found holy before thee and Sol. Iarchi saith Hee speaketh as to the Majestie of God Or it may be spoken to the tribe of Levi who had the Vrim and Thummim among them but appropriate to one maÌ„ only who was the high Priest a figure of Christ. with the man understand be with the man or to the man that is they belong to him with him they are and so let them remaine thy gracious saint thy mercifull pious or holy one or of thy holy one which title is given to God himselfe Ier. 3. 12. to Christ Psal. 16. 10. with Act. 13. 35 36 37. and to all godly men Psal. 149. 5. And here referring it to Aaron or to Christ the man thy holy one may meane one thing thy holy man as a man a Prince in Exod. 2. 14. or if wee read it the man of thine holy one it is meant the man of God and in Psal. 106. 16. Aaron is called the Saint of the LORD temptedst or triedst This word is sometime spoken of God as hee tempted Abraham Gen. 22. 1. and the Israelites in the wildernesse Deut. 8. 2 15 16. Sometime of men who are said to have tempted God and Christ Exod. 17. 2. 1 Cor. 10. 9. in Massah or in the temptation a place so called because there Israel tempted God Exod. 17. 7. or with temptation and so it is no propet name contendedst or striveâ—st pleadedst this also is sometime spoken of God whose contending with men is the blaming and punishing of them Esay 49. 25. Iob 10. 2. Ier. 2. 9. sometime of mens contending as Israel did with the Lord at the waters of Meribah or of Contention Numb 20. 13. By reason of this diversuse of these words the understanding of this blessing is also divers thus Thy Thummim and thy Vrim O God be with the man thy gracious Saint Aaron and his seed whom thou temptedst with tentation contendedst with him for his sinne at the waters of Meribah Num. 20. 12 13. Or thy Thummim and thy Vrim O Levi bee with Aaron and his seed the man of thy gracious God whom thou with the other Israelites temptedst in Massah c. Exod. 17. 2. Numb 20. Or thus Thy Thummim and thy Vrim O Levi is with or â—e longs unto the man thy gracious Saint Christ Iesus whom thou temptedst in Massah c. 1 Cor. 10. 9. In this last sense the weaknesse of the Leviticall Priesthood is implied which kept not Vrim and Thummim but lost them at the captivity of Babylon Ezra 2. 63. and it is not knowne that they ever had them more untill by Christ our High Priest after the order of Melchisedek they were restored by the Light and Truth of the Gospell The Chaldee interpreteth it in Aarons or Levies praise Thummim and Vrim thou didst put upon the man or cloathedst with them the man that was found holy before thee whom thou tem ptedst with tentation and hee was perfect thou provedst him at the waters of contention and hee was found faithfull This may seeme not well to accord with the history in Num. 20. touching Aarons person yet the Hebrews as Sol. Iarchi on this place say of the Levites that they murmured not with the other murmurers And of Levi God saith by his Prophet My covenant was with him life and peace and I gave them to him for the feare where with he feared mee c. Mal. 2. 5. And againe They kept his testimonies and the ordinance that hee gave them Psal. 99. 7. The Greeke translateth And of Levi hee said Give yee Levi his Manifest-ones and his Truth that is his Vrim and his Thummim to the holy man whom they tempted in tentation they reviled him at the water of Contradiction This interpretation may well bee applied unto Christ also as before is shewed Vers. 9. who saith or who said of his or unto his father c. I respect him not I see not or looke not upon him The Greeke translateth That saith to his father and to his mother I have not seene or I respect not thee This is meant either of the Priests continuall duty who by the Law if his father mother brother or child did die hee might not mourne for them but carry himselfe as if hee did not respect know or care for them as is said of the High Priest that was anointed and cloathed with the ornaments and had Vrim and Thummim upon his heart for his father or for
Iah God meaning it of the captives Or that thou O Iah God maist dwell to wit in mens hearts by faith Ephes. 3. 17. or in the Church which by those thy gifts the Ministers is builded as a spirituall house for God to dwell in 1 Cor. 3. 9 10 16. 1 Pet. 2 5. So God dwelt among the Israelites Num. 5. 3. and 35. 34. Vers. 20. day by day or daily see Psal. 61. 9. â—odeth us to wit with his blessings or gifts verse 19. or with afflictions wherewith the Saints are burdened and yet blesse him for his comforts in them 2 Cor. 5. 4. and 1. 3 4 8. and 6. 4 6. The Chaldee understandeth it of such lâ—ding as is by adding precepts upon precepts Vers. 21. Our God c. or God to us is a God for salvations that is all manner health helpe and deliverance that fully saveth Iehovih so the name of God is written usually when Adonai Lord next followeth it as here and Psal. 109. 21. or goeth before it as Gen. 15. 2. having the vowels of Aelohim God and so is by the Iewes pronounced as other times having the vowels of Adonai it is so pronounced Lord. So for Adonai Iehovaih 2 Sam. 7. 18. is written Iehovah Aelohim 1 Chron. 17. 16. See Psal. 83. 19. issues or passages that is waies and meanes of death or to death meaning that he hath many waies to bring his enemies to death and to deliver his people out of it For he hath the keyes of death Rev. 1. 18. â—e killeth and giveth life woundeth and healeth and none can deliver out of his hand Deut. 32. 39. So issues of life Prov. 4 23. Vers. 22. hairie scalpe Hebr. the crowne or scalpe of haire meaning open and inevitable judgement on the chiefest and most fierce enemies guiltinesses guilty sinnes impieties So Psal. 69. 6. Vers. 23. I will bring againe or will returne reduce to wit thee my people as I brought thee from the perill of Ogh in Bashan Numb 21. 23 35. and of Pharaoh at the red sea Exod. 14. 22 23 28 29. Former deliverances are often by the Prophets applied to the times and workes of Christ See Isa. 11. 1 11 15 16. and 51. 10 11. gulfs or deeps bottoms See Psal. 69. 3. Vers. 24. That thy foot may embrew that is â—e embrewed or That thou maist embrew thy foot It is the same word which before in verse 22. is Englished wound and signifieth to make gorâ— bloudy and is here by consequence put for embrewing or dipping in gorâ— bloud as the Greeke turneth it That thy foot may bee dipped And this noteth a great slaughter of the enemies as the dipping of the foot in oile Deut. 33. 24. meaneth abundance thereof in bloud of thine enemies or which floweth from thine enemies from him that is from each of them or from the greatest of them Antichrist or of the same bloud Compare herewith the slaughter of Christs enemies Rev. 19. 17 18 21. Vers. 25. They have seene that is Men have seene not naming any speciall persons thy goings or waies and administration The Chaldee saith The house of Israel have seene the going of thy Majestie upon the Sea O God in the that is which art in the Sanctuarie or into the Sanctuarie referring it to Davids carrying of the Aâ—ke into the holy Tent 1 Chron 13. 6. 8. and 15. 28. Vers. 26. beating on timbrels or on Tabers to wit with the hand so in the triumph at the red sea Mary the sister of Aaron and all the women after her with timbrels and pipâ—s sung praise to God Exod. 15. 20 21. unto that the Chaldee here referreth it So at the slaughter of the Philistims 1 Sam. 18. 6 7. and at the slaughter of the Ammonites Iudg. 11. 34. A timbrel or taber is in Hebrew named Toph of the like sound that it maketh when it is stricken Vers. 27. In the Churches or congregations see Psal. 26. 12. ye of the fountaine that come out of Israel as out of a well or fountaine a phrase taken from Deut. 33. 28. Esaias hath also one much like it Isa. 48. 1. It seemeth to be meant of the people though it may also be referred to Christ blesse the Lord who is of the fountaine of Israel For of the Israelites concerning the flesh Christ came who is God over all blessed for ever Amen Rom. 9. 5. Vers. 28. There in the Churches be little Benjamin the tribe or posteritie of Benjamin who was himselfe little that is youngest of all Israels children and his tribe little that is few in number being almost all destroied for the sinne of Gibea Iudg. 20. 1 c. their ruler the Prince of that Tribe The Greeke version saith in a trance taking the Hebrew Rodem to be of radam though it be not found elsewhere in this forme yet rare words but once used are sundry times found in this and other Psalmes These things applied to Christs times and after are very mysticall Benjamin the least is here put first so in the heavenly Ierusalem the first foundation is a Iasper Rev. 21. 19. which was the last precious stone in Aarons Brest plate on which Benjamins name was graven Exod 28. 20. 10. 21. In this Tribe Paul excelled as a Prince of God though one of the last Apostles 1 Cor. 15. 8 9 10. who was converted in a trance or extasie Act. 9. 3 4 c. and in exâ—asies he and other Apostles saw the mysteries of Christs Kingdome Act. 10. 10 11 c. 2 Cor. 12. 1 2 3 4. their assembly in Greeke their governours the Hebrew word Regamah but once used causeth this ambiguitie for comming of Ragam to throw an heape of stones Lev. 24. 14. may either be taken for an heape or assembly or for a stone that is a ruler as elsewhere a stone signifieth Gen. 49. 24. Of this Tribe of Iudah were the Apostle Iames and other our Lords brethren Gal. 1. 19. Act. 1. 14. Zebuluâ— Naphtalâ— these Tribes were situate in the â—arthest parts of Canaan as Iuda and Benjamin were in the first and chiefest parts meaning by these few all other Tribes gathered to praise God In these coasts Christ called to Apostleship Simon Peter Andâ—ew c. fishers of Galilee Vers. 29. commanded thy strength that is powerfully appointed it speaking to the Church See the like phrase Psal. 133. 3. and 44. 5. By strength also Kingdome is often meant strengthen the Chaldee paraphraseth dwell in this house of the Sanctuarie which thou hast made for us Vers. 30. For thy Palace or temple which was after Davids daies to be builâ—â— in the heavenly Ierusalem the Lord and the Lambe are the Temple of it Rev. 21. 22. bring a present or lead along a gift that is gifts or presents So Psal. 76. 12. which presâ—nts are sometimes of the persons of men See Isa. 18. 7. 66. 20. Rom. 〈◊〉 16. 12. 1. Vers. 31. Rebuke that is Destroy See Psal. 9. 6. â—ompany of speare-men