MPV Commentary

The Levites' Service.

These are the generations of Aaron and Moses, along with their families (Nu 3:1). Although Moses' family is not detailed like his brother's, they are included under the general designation of the Amramites (Nu 3:27), a term that encompasses all the descendants of their common father Amram. The reason for this distinction is that Moses' family was in the private ranks of the Levites, while the dignity of the priesthood was conferred exclusively on the posterity of Aaron.

This chapter contains an account of their families and the service they were to perform (Nu 3:1). The reason why Aaron's family is mentioned before Moses' is because at the date of this record, the family of Aaron was unbroken (Nu 3:1).

The sons of Aaron, four in number, were consecrated to minister in the priest's office (Nu 3:2-4). The two oldest enjoyed a brief term of office (Lev 10:1-2; Nu 3:4; 26:61), but Eleazar and Ithamar, the other two, performed the sacred service during their father's lifetime as his assistants.

The tribe of Levi was brought near to serve in the sanctuary (Nu 3:5-10). The Hebrew word "bring near" is a sacrificial term, denoting the presentation of an offering to God. This signifies that they were devoted as an offering to the sanctuary and no longer employed in common offices. They were subordinate to the priests but discharged many duties related to the sanctuary.

The Levites were wholly given unto Aaron out of the children of Israel (Nu 3:9). The priests held the place of God, and the Levites served them in obedience. This arrangement was a wise decision, as it ensured the regular performance of the rites of religion.

The consecration of this tribe did not originate with Moses but was a special appointment of God (Nu 3:11-13). God chose the Levites as substitutes for the first-born, who were originally consecrated to him in memory of the last solemn judgment on Egypt (Exodus 13:12; 22:29). However, when the privilege of redemption was allowed the first-born, the administration of sacred things was transferred from them to the Levites.

The designation of a special class for the sacred offices of religion was a wise arrangement. The people would be occupied in Canaan and might not have time to attend to the service of the sanctuary (Nu 3:11-13). But with an entire tribe dedicated to this work, the regular performance of the rites of religion was ensured.

The Levites were numbered from a month old and upward (Nu 3:14-31), as they were appointed to their duties at a young age. They were divided into three subdivisions: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, sons of Levi. The Kohathites had the principal place about the tabernacle and charge of the most precious things.

Eleazar presided over these divisions (Nu 3:32). He was called "the second priest" because he performed the duties in the absence of the high priest. The Levites were assigned to various tasks, including assisting with the conveyance of the tabernacle and forming its guard while stationary.

The number of Levites was twenty-two thousand three hundred (Nu 3:39). This census proved that Levi was by far the smallest tribe in Israel. However, they were given in exchange for an equal number of first-born from the other tribes, leaving an excess of two hundred seventy-three.

These first-born were redeemed at the rate of five shekels each (Nu 18:15-16). The ransom-money was appropriated to the use of the sanctuary. The cattle of the Levites were also taken as an equivalent for all the firstlings of the cattle that the Israelites possessed (Nu 3:41).

The principle on which the enumeration of the Levites had been made was now applied to the other tribes (Nu 3:40-51). A comparison was instituted with that of the Levites, and the excess of two hundred seventy-three first-born was redeemed at the rate of five shekels each.