Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Leviticus 8:3
And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Gather … – Rather, gather all the assembly together toward the entrance of the tent of meeting. See Lev 4:13. The whole body of the people were summoned on this occasion, and the elders probably occupied the first places. The elders are especially called together in an unequivocal manner to receive directions to provide the first sacrifices for the nation to be offered by the newly consecrated priests Lev 9:1, and the body of the people afterward assemble as they do here Lev 9:5. The spot designated was the portion of the court in front of the tabernacle (see Lev 1:3 note). Toward this space the people were commanded to assemble to witness the great national ceremony of the consecration of the priesthood, the solemn setting apart of one of their families, the members of which were henceforth to stand as mediators between them and Yahweh in carrying out the precepts of the ceremonial law. Those who could do so, may have come into the court, and a great number of others may have occupied the heights which overlooked the enclosure of the court. As the series of ceremonies was repeated every day during a week Lev 8:33, it is natural to suppose that some of the people attended on one day and some on another.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
The elders which represented all, and as many of the people as would and could get thither, that all might be witnesses both of Aarons commission from God, and of his work and business.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3-5. gather thou all thecongregation together, c.It was manifestly expedient for theIsraelitish people to be satisfied that Aaron’s appointment to thehigh dignity of the priesthood was not a personal intrusion, nor afamily arrangement between him and Moses and nothing, therefore,could be a more prudent or necessary measure, for impressing aprofound conviction of the divine origin and authority of thepriestly institution, than to summon a general assembly of thepeople, and in their presence perform the solemn ceremonies ofinauguration, which had been prescribed by divine authority.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And gather thou all the congregation together,…. That is, the heads of the tribes and the elders of the people, as Aben Ezra interprets it; for the whole body of the people, and every individual of them, could not be got together:
unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation; taking this for the whole court itself, as it sometimes is; though no doubt on this occasion as great a number was convened as well could be admitted into the court, or about it, to be spectators and witnesses of the solemn investiture of Aaron and his sons with the priestly office.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(3) And gather thou all the congregation togetherBetter, and gather all the assembly together. The same word is rightly rendered assembly in the Authorised Version in Lev. 8:4. (See Lev. 4:13.) That is, call together the assembly of the elders, the heads of the tribes, and the principal men who represented the people. This is confirmed by Lev. 9:1, where it is distinctly said that Moses called Aaron and his sous, and the elders of Israel, and where these elders are called in the following verse the children of Israel, by virtue of their representing the children of Israel.
Unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.Better, to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that is, the courtyard of the same.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. Gather all the congregation The elders representing the people gathered in front of the tabernacle; behind them stood the congregation occupying all the heights around. No ordination of a minister should be in the presence of ministers only, but before the laity, who are deeply interested in the character and qualifications of those who stand before them as God’s representatives.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The gathering the congregation together as witnesses of this consecration is very striking. In the gospel church it is ever to be wished that the setting apart to the ministry, should always be in a public manner; both to afford opportunity for the people to join in prayer, for the ordination and anointing by GOD the HOLY GHOST, and to impress on the mind of those ordained a greater earnestness in the discharge of their sacred employment, undertaken in the sight of so many witnesses. In such moments all eyes are upon the candidates for holy orders, and all seem to speak to them in the solemn language of Paul, Act 20:28 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Lev 8:3 And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Ver. 3. And gather thou all the congregation. ] Ministers are to be ordained in the public assembly, Act 14:22 that the people may show their approbation, profess their purpose of obedience, and pray for God’s Spirit to be poured upon them.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
door = entrance.
tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. ‘ohel. App-40.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Num 20:8, Num 21:16, 1Ch 13:5, 1Ch 15:3, 2Ch 5:2, 2Ch 5:6, 2Ch 30:2, 2Ch 30:13, 2Ch 30:25, Neh 8:1, Psa 22:25, Act 2:1
Reciprocal: Exo 29:4 – unto the door Lev 14:11 – General Lev 24:9 – they shall Num 8:9 – shalt gather the whole
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Lev 8:3. All the congregation The elders, who represented all, and as many of the people as would and could get thither, that all might be witnesses both of Aarons commission from God, and of his work and business.