Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 8:22
And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.
Before Aaron and his sons; in their presence, and by their direction and appointment.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And after that went the Levites in,…. Into the court of the tabernacle, being at the door of it when the above rites and ceremonies of their consecration were performed:
to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation, before Aaron and his sons; in their presence, and by their order, as they should direct them:
as the Lord had commanded Moses, so did they unto them; Aaron and his sons did to the then present Levites according to the command of God by Moses; they exactly observed every punctilio of it, and complied with it; and this the sons of Aaron did continually to the sons of the Levites, as Aben Ezra remarks, in all succeeding ages; when the Levites were consecrated to their service, the same things were done unto them that are here ordered.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
22. And after that went the Levites in to do their service In these words Moses signifies that, in the type, nothing was omitted relative to the ancient priesthood which pertains to the legitimate service of God, the main point in which is obedience, and thence the purity which flows from it. The Levites are said to have done their service before Aaron, because they humbly submitted themselves to the yoke, and allowed themselves to be controlled by the will of the priest, since God had so enjoined. But the progress of the history will presently shew how prone man’s nature is to rebellion. Hence it arises that the end does not always correspond with the beginning, but that sad and unhappy conclusions sometimes follow successful commencements.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Yahweh’s Original Command Obeyed ( Num 8:22 ).
Num 8:22
‘And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron, and before his sons, as Yahweh had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they to them.’
Once this was accomplished the Levites went in to do their service in the Dwellingplace. This would include ‘policing’ the courtyard of the Dwellingplace, assisting some who brought offerings with the slaughter of their sacrifices, generally ministering around inside the courtyard and out, general maintenance of its fabric and appurtenances, preventing those from approaching the Dwellingplace who should not, and being responsible for the Dwellingplace in all its movements.
And all this was done as Yahweh had commanded Moses (see Num 8:5-6).
A number of lessons arise for us out of these verses. Firstly the need to be as concerned about minor ministries among God’s people as well as the more prominent ones. Secondly a recognition that God is equally concerned about them. Thirdly the need for unity among God’s people in making such appointments within the will of God. Fourthly that all, whatever their ministry, regularly need purifying by the blood of Jesus in their ministry and especially at its commencement. It is also a reminder of the need for substitutionary atonement, as the Levites took the place of the firstborn. But how we should rejoice that our substitute before the throne is not the Levites, but our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Making us sufficient to approach God without fear.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
This self-dedication as following the LORD’S appointment, is among the evidences of our being the LORD’S. Paul hath a sweet observation upon this: 2Co 8:4-5 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
after that: Num 8:15, 2Ch 30:15-17, 2Ch 30:27, 2Ch 31:2, 2Ch 35:8-15
as the Lord: Num 8:5-26
Reciprocal: Num 3:6 – General Num 18:2 – minister Ezr 8:17 – ministers
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
8:22 And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation {i} before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.
(i) In their presence to serve them.