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The Pulpit Commentary
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 17:5
Whom I shall choose. For the special duty and service of the priesthood (cf. Numbers 16:5). I will make to cease. הַשִׁכֹּתִי מֵעָלַי. I will cause to sink so that they shall not rise again.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 17:6
And the rod of Aaron was among the rods. As there was no prince from whom this rod could have come, and as there were twelve rods without it, this must mean that Moses did not keep Aaron's rod separate (which might have…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 17:7
Before the Lord, i.e; in front of the ark. In the tabernacle of witness. "In the tent of the testimony." בּאֹהֶל הָעֵדֻת.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 17:8
THE BUDDING OF AARON'S ROD The budding, blossoming, and fruit-bearing of the dry staff of office laid by Aaron in the tabernacle, significant— I. As A MIRACLE. It was an unmistakable sign of God's interposition (such a…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 17:8
Was budded: or "sprouted." פָּרַח. And yielded almonds. Rather, "matured almonds." This particular rod had been cut from an almond tree, and it would seem probable that it had on it shoots and flowers and fruit at once,…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 17:9
And took every man his rod. So that they saw for themselves that their rods remained dry and barren as they were by nature, while Aaron's had been made to live.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 17:10
THE TWO BRETHREN AND THEIR RODS I. The rod of Moses, a shepherd's staff, a commonplace instrument, changed by God's power into "the rod of God" (Exodus 4:17), "the rod of his strength." II. The rod of Aaron, a tribal sc…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 17:10
Before the testimony. By comparison with Numbers 17:7 this should mean before the ark in which the "testimony" lay. In Hebrews 9:4, however, the rod is said to have been in the ark, although before Solo-men's time it ha…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 17:12
And the children of Israel spake unto Moses. It is a mistake to unite these verses specially with the following chapter, for they clearly belong to the story of Korah's rebellion, although not particularly connected wit…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 17:13
Shall we be consumed with dying? It was a natural question, considering all that had happened; and indeed it could only be answered in the affirmative, for their sentence was, "In this wilderness they shall be consumed"…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:1-7
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF AUTHORITY Recent assaults on the priesthood give occasion for a reaffirmation of its prerogatives. Lest this should tend unduly to elate the family of Aaron, the same Divine oracle which confirms t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:1-32
EXPOSITION STATUS AND REVENUES OF PRIESTS AND LEVITES (Numbers 18:1-32).
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:1
The Lord spake unto Aaron. This clear and comprehensive instruction as to the position and support of the sons of Aaron on the one hand, and of the Levites on the other, may very naturally have been given in connection…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:1
THE INIQUITY OF THE SANCTUARY AND PRIESTHOOD It is full of significance that this provision for the iniquity of the sanctuary and priesthood stands first among the regulations of this chapter. Though God had separated A…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:1-32
RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRIVILEGES OF GOD'S SERVANTS We have in this chapter, spiritually, the status of those who are ἱερεῖς τῷ θεῷ and δοῦλαι ἰησοῦ χριστοῦ, as being the inheritance of the Lord, and (in this wo…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:2
Thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi. The Levites generally, as distinguished from the Kohathites in particular (see on Numbers 3:1-51). That they may be joined unto thee. וְילָּווּ, a play upon the name Levi (see on…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:2-7
AARON AND HIS HELPERS I. AARON HAD MANY HELPERS. No less than a whole tribe of Israel, 22,000 in number (Numbers 3:39). And if it be said, "What work could be found about the tabernacle for so many?" the answer is given…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:3
They shall keep thy charge, &c. See on Numbers 3:7, Numbers 3:8. That neither they, nor ye also, die. This warning does not seem to refer to the danger of the Kohathites seeing the sacred things (Numbers 4:15), but of t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:4
A stranger. וֶר, i.e; one not a Levite, as in Numbers 1:51.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:5
That there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. As there had been ill the case of Korah and his company, and of the many thousands who had fallen in consequence.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:6
I have taken your brethren the Levites. See on Numbers 3:9; Numbers 8:19.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:7
Shall keep your priests' office for everything of the altar, and within the vail. That the Levites were made over to Aaron and his sons to relieve them of a great part of the mere routine and drudgery of their service w…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:8
And the Lord spake unto Aaron. The charge and responsibility of the priests having been declared, the provision for their maintenance is now to be set forth. The charge, מִשְׁמֶרֶת, as in Numbers 18:5, &c.; but here it…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 18:8-20
THE PROVISION FOR THE PRIESTS Already, upon different occasions, something has been said as to parts of certain offerings being reserved for Aaron and his sons (Exodus 29:28, Exodus 29:31-33; Le Exodus 2:3, Exodus 2:10;…