Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 18:23
But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: [it shall be] a statute forever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.
Bear their iniquity – The words probably refer to the iniquity of the people; who would, had they approached the tabernacle have fallen, from their proneness to transgress, into overt acts of offence. Against such a result they were, through the ministrations of the Levites, mercifully protected. Compare Num 18:1.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Their iniquity, i.e. the punishment due not only for their own, but also for the peoples miscarriage, if it be committed through their connivance or negligence. And this was the reason why the priests withstood king Uzziah, when he would have burnt incense to the Lord, 2Ch 26:17,18.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23. But the Levites shall do theservice of the tabernacle of the congregation: they shall bear theiriniquityThey were to be responsible for the right discharge ofthose duties that were assigned to them, and consequently to bear thepenalty that was due to negligence or carelessness in theguardianship of the holy things.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation,…. In guarding the tabernacle, that no unclean persons enter into it, or any others take anything out of it, and in assisting the priests in their service, and carrying the vessels of the sanctuary when required:
and they shall bear their iniquity: that is, when they fail in the duty of their office, are not careful in their service and work, and business appointed them; if either they did not do their business themselves, or suffered others to do it, or such to come to the tabernacle who should not, they would be blameworthy and suffer for it:
[it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations, that the children of Israel they have no inheritance; having such a plentiful provision made for them, by a statute as durable as this.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
23. Do the service of the tabernacle The Levites were the bearers and custodians of the tabernacle. They assisted the priests, but never sprinkled blood nor burned incense.
They shall bear their iniquity Here is the idea of a vicarious atonement plainly expressed. The people had attempted to bear their own sins into the presence of God, and to make atonement, and the yawning earth, the fire, and the plague had swept away thousands. This was to teach them that holy persons were needful to purify the unholy by expiation. The people must be taught, at whatever cost, the difference between holy and unholy. Hence the presumptuous are consumed in the act of holding up their sins before Jehovah, a work for which Aaron and his sons had been specially consecrated. They could draw near the tabernacle as the representatives of Israel, taking upon themselves and bearing the iniquity of the congregation. Thus the need of a holy Mediator is prefigured, even Jesus Christ, “who appears in heaven for us.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
do the service: Num 3:7
among: Num 18:20
Reciprocal: Exo 27:21 – a statute for ever Lev 23:21 – a statute Num 14:34 – shall ye bear Num 31:30 – keep the Deu 12:12 – General Jos 18:7 – the Levites Joh 1:29 – taketh Heb 9:28 – to bear
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 18:23. Their iniquity The punishment due not only for their own, but also for the peoples miscarriage, if it be committed through their connivance or negligence. And this was the reason why the priests withstood King Uzziah, when he would have burnt incense to the Lord.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
18:23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear {n} their iniquity: [it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.
(n) If they fail in their office, they will be punished.