Bible Commentaries
Go deeper in Scripture
Browse trusted public-domain commentary alongside DiscipleDeck Bible study. References inside each commentary open Bible previews in place.
27,299 commentary entries
The Pulpit Commentary
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:8
Instruments. Vessels and furniture. Septuagint, σκεύη. Vulgate, vasa.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:9
They are wholly given unto him. The word nethunim (wholly given) is emphatic here, and in Numbers 8:16. As the whole house of Israel at large, so especially (for a reason which will presently appear) the tribe of Levi b…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:10
The stranger that cometh nigh. This constantly recurring formula has not always quite the same meaning: in Numbers 1:51 it signified any one not of the tribe of Levi; here it includes even the Levite who was not also a…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:12
Instead of all the first-born. The Septuagint inserts here, "they shall be their ransom."
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:12
I have taken the Levites. The actual separation of Levi had been already anticipated (see Numbers 1:47, Numbers 1:53), but the meaning and purpose of that separation is now formally declared, into reason, however, is as…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:13
Mine shall they be: I am the Lord. Rather, "mine shall they be, mine, the Lord's."
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:13
Because all the first-born are mine (see Exodus 13:2, and below on verse 43). That the powers of heaven had a special claim upon the firstling of man or beast was probably one of the oldest religious ideas in the world,…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:15
From a month old. The first-born were to be redeemed "from a month old" (Numbers 18:16).
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:17
These were the sons of Levi. These genealogical notices are inserted here in order to give completeness to the account of the Levites in the day of their dedication.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:23
Shall pitch. These directions as to the position and duties of the Levitical families retain the form in which they were originally given. The way in which they are mixed up with direct narrative affords a striking proo…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:25
The charge of the sons of Gershon. See Numbers 4:24-26.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:28
Eight thousand and six hundred. The four families of the Kohathites, of which that of Amram was one, must have contained about 18,000 souls. Moses and Aaron were sons of Amram, and they seem to have had but two sons api…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:30
Elizaphan the son of Uzziel—of the youngest branch. This may have aroused the jealousy of Korah, who represented an elder branch.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:32
Eleazar. The priests were themselves Kohathites, and therefore their chief is here mentioned as having the oversight over the other overseers—ipsos custodes custodiens.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:38
Before the tabernacle toward the east,… Moses, and Aaron and his sons. The most central and honourable place in the camp, and the most convenient for constant and direct access to the sanctuary. Moses held a wholly pers…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:39
Twenty and two thousand. It is obvious that there is a discrepancy between this total and its three component numbers, which make 22,300. It is so obvious that it must have been innocent; no one deliberately falsifying…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:43
Twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen. These were the first-born of the twelve tribes; but who were included under the designation "first-born" is a matter of grave dispute. The smallness of th…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 3:47
Five shekels apiece. This amount had already been fixed that every one who has some special call is a partner partly in the work of Christ, partly in the duty of the Church; he helps to carry on the one or to discharge…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 5:1-4
THINGS THAT DEFILE The book up to this point is occupied with the counting and discipline of the people, both those for war and those for tabernacle service. Now the cleansing of the camp is to be attended to. I. THE CL…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 5:1-7
EXPOSITION THE UNCLEAN TO BE REMOVED (Numbers 5:1-4).
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 5:1-4
THE NECESSITY OF PUTTING AWAY SIN In this section we have, spiritually, the necessary sentence of banishment upon those defiled with sin, and the duty of separating them. Consider, therefore— I. THAT NO LEPER MIGHT STAY…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 5:1-4
THE EXPULSION AND RESTORATION OF THE UNCLEAN The host has now been marshaled. The several tribes have taken the places allotted to them in relation to the tabernacle and to one another. They are about to set forth on th…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 5:1-4
THE PUBLIC EXCLUSION OF THE UNCLEAN This law, like many others, in part a sanitary law; but also educational in spiritual truth, and typical of eternal realities. Two truths taught:— I. THE HOLINESS OF GOD. This lesson,…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 5:2
Every leper. The law of the leper had been given in great detail in Leviticus 13:1-59 and Leviticus 14:1-57, and it had been already ordered that he should be put out of the camp (Le Leviticus 13:46, and cf. Leviticus 1…