3<\/strong>. The period of active service for the Levites is here laid down as between 30 50 years of age. But in Num 8:23-26<\/span> it is between 25 50, though certain duties might be performed after that age. And in 1Ch 23:24<\/span>; 1Ch 23:27<\/span>, 2Ch 31:17<\/span>, Ezr 3:8<\/span> it begins at 20, and there is no upward limit of age. The statements appear to represent the customs that were current at three different periods.<\/p>\n the service<\/em> ] This unusual meaning of the word which generally denotes ‘warfare’ or ‘host’ (R.V. marg.) is found again five times in this chapter ( Num 4:23<\/em><\/span> ; Num 4:30<\/em><\/span><\/em> ; Num 4:35<\/em><\/span><\/em> ; Num 4:39<\/em><\/span><\/em> ; Num 4:43<\/em><\/span><\/em>), and elsewhere only in Num 8:24<\/span> f., and of women in two very late passages, Exo 38:8<\/span>, 1Sa 2:22<\/span>. It perhaps implies that the Levites formed an organized body appointed for God’s work under the command of superior officials, as were the rest of Israel who were numbered for war.<\/p>\n Verse 3<\/span>. From thirty years old<\/B><\/I>] In Nu 8:24<\/span>, the Levites are ordered to enter on the service of the tabernacle at the age of twenty-five<\/I> years; and in 1Ch 23:24<\/span>, they were ordered to commence that work at twenty<\/I> years of age. How can these different times be reconciled?<\/P> 1. At the time of which Moses speaks here, the Levitical service was exceedingly severe<\/I>, and consequently required men full grown, strong<\/I>, and stout<\/I>, to perform it; the age therefore of thirty<\/I> years was appointed as the period for commencing this service, the weightier<\/I> part of which is probably here intended.<\/P> 2. In Nu 8:24<\/span>, Moses seems to speak of the service in a general<\/I> way; the severe<\/I>, which was to be performed by the full-grown Levites, and the less laborious work which younger men might assist in: hence the age of twenty-five<\/I> is fixed.<\/P> 3. In David’s time and afterwards, in the fixed<\/I> tabernacle and temple, the laboriousness<\/I> of the service no longer existed, and hence twenty<\/I> years was the age fixed on for all Levites to enter into the work of the sanctuary. The rabbins say that the Levites began to learn to do the service at twenty-five<\/I>, and that having been instructed five<\/I> years, they began the public service at thirty<\/I>, and thus they reconcile the two periods referred to above. We may well suppose that the sons<\/I> of the prophets<\/I> continued a considerable time under instructions before they were called fully to exercise themselves in the prophetic office.<\/P> <\/P> Until fifty years old<\/B><\/I>] This was allowing twenty<\/I> years for public severe service; a very considerate and merciful ordinance. A preacher who devotes his whole time and strength to the service of the Church of God from twenty to fifty or sixty years of age, should be then excused from his severer labour<\/I>, and maintained at the charge of the sanctuary. This would not only be a great comfort to a worn-out servant of God, but also of great use to the work of the ministry, which, to be faithfully and effectually performed, requires all the powers of the body and mind of man. Old faithful ministers<\/I> are to be highly respected for their work’s sake, and to be supplied with all the necessaries and comforts of life; but how little can they do in the public ministry of the word, however willing to work, when their eye waxes dim and their bodily strength fails! See “<\/I>Nu 8:25<\/I><\/span>“<\/I>. Both for their own sakes, and for the good of the Church, they should be excused from a labour to which they must be almost every way inadequate. But notwithstanding this comparative inactivity, their counsels, advice, and experience will always be considered as a treasure to the Church of Christ.<\/P> <\/p>\n From thirty years old:<\/B> this age was prescribed, as the age of full strength of body, and therefore most proper for their present laborious work of carrying the parts and vessels of the tabernacle; and of maturity of judgment, which is necessary for the right management of holy services; whence even John and Christ entered not upon their ministry till that age. And it may still seem to be the fittest season for mens undertaking the ministry of the gospel, except in case of extraordinary abilities, or the churchs pressing necessity. <\/P> Object.<\/B> They might enter upon this work at their twenty-fifth year, Num 8:24<\/span>, and in Davids time and afterward at their twentieth year. <\/P> Answ.<\/B> 1. Their first entrance upon their work was at their twenty-fifth year, when they began as learners, and acted only under the inspection and direction of their brethren; but in their thirtieth year they were completely admitted to a full discharge of their whole office. <\/P> 2. David, being a prophet, and particularly directed by God in the affairs of the temple, might and did make a change in this matter, which he might the better do, both because it was but a change in a circumstance, and because the magnificence of the temple, and the great multitude of sacred utensils and sacrifices, required a greater number of attendants than formerly was necessary. <\/P> Until fifty years old, <\/B>when they were exempted from the toilsome work of carrying burdens, but not discharged from the honourable and easy work done within the tabernacle, Num 8:26<\/span>. <\/P> All that enter, <\/B>i.e. that do and may enter, having no defect, Lev 21:17<\/span>, nor other impediment. The society of sacred ministers he calls a host, because of that excellent order which was among them, as to persons, place, time, the matter and manner of their services. <\/P> <\/p>\n From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old<\/strong>,…. This is the full time of the Levites service, and the prime season of man’s life for business; at thirty years of age he is at his full strength, and when fifty it begins to decline: it is said in the Misnah x,<\/p>\n “a son of thirty years for strength,”<\/p>\n upon which one of the commentators y makes this remark, that the Levites set up the tabernacle and took it down, and loaded the wagons, and carried on their shoulders from thirty years and upwards: thus both John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, and Christ himself, entered into their ministry at this age:<\/p>\n all that enter into the host<\/strong>; army or warfare; for though the Levites were exempted from going forth to war, yet their service was a sort of warfare; they were a camp of themselves about the tabernacle, and part of their work was to watch and guard it, that it was neither defiled nor robbed; in allusion to this, the ministry of the word is called a warfare, and ministers of the Gospel good soldiers of Christ, and their doctrines weapons of warfare, 1Ti 1:18<\/span>; some interpret this of the troop, company, or congregation of the Levites, which a man of thirty years of age was admitted into for business:<\/p>\n to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation<\/strong>; not in the sanctuary, either in the holy place or in the most holy place, where they were never allowed to enter, or do any business in, such as sacrificing, burning incense, &c. but in that part of it which was called “the tabernacle of the congregation”, or where the people assembled on occasion, and that was the court, which was so called, as Jarchi observes on Ex 29:32<\/span>.<\/p>\n x Pirke Abot, c. 5. sect. 21. y Bartenora in Pirke Abot, c. 5. sect. 21.<\/p>\n (3) From thirty years old and upward even<\/strong> until fifty years old.<\/strong>The previous census of the Levites was from a month old. The present census was with a view to the discharge of duties requiring a considerable amount of physical strength, and hence the prescribed age for entering upon these duties was fixed at this time at thirty, and limited to fifty. It has been supposed by some that five years were spent in preparation for the service, and that it is in this way that the apparent discrepancy between this verse and Num. 8:24<\/span>, where the age for entering upon the service is fixed at twenty-five, is to be reconciled. (See Note on Num. 8:24<\/span>.) In Eastern countries the strength fails at an earlier period than in colder and more temperate climates. Thirty was the age at which John the Baptist and our Lord entered upon their public ministry.<\/p>\n All that enter into the host.<\/strong>Or, every one who enters upon the service. <\/em>The word zaba, <\/em>commonly rendered host, <\/em>and used elsewhere to denote military service, is here used to denote the service of the sanctuary.<\/p>\n 3<\/strong>. <\/strong> From thirty years old <\/strong> The minimum limit is fixed at ten years above the military age. This is not surprising when we consider that the sacred service required not only physical strength, but especially intellectual maturity and sound judgment. These are rarely found at twenty, but at thirty the character becomes fixed, and the mind assumes the oaken toughness of manhood. John the Baptist began to preach when thirty. Jesus Christ, though not under the limitations of the Levite, did not enter upon his public mission till thirty years of age. Although the world was in sad need of the Gospel when he was twenty, he waited until he could present to the wondering world a perfect manhood enshrining the Supreme Godhead. Hence the celebrated Hebraist and theologian, Prof. Moses Stuart, has very ably argued, that as a general rule none should be ordained to the responsible office of the ministry of the Gospel till thirty years of age. For a discussion of the discrepancy between the thirty years required here and the twenty-five years in Num 8:24-25<\/span>, see general remarks at the close of this chapter. <\/p>\n Until fifty years <\/strong> This is a few years above the usual maximum military age. In ancient Rome this was at forty-six; in the United States a man at forty-five is exempt. The reason for the continuance of the Levite beyond the military age-limit of many nations is, that the intellect and judgment at that age have suffered no deterioration. <\/p>\n All that enter into the host <\/strong> Hebrew, Every one that enters the army. <\/em> The service of God is a spiritual warfare; the body of believers constitutes the militant <\/em> Church. Hence the frequency of martial metaphors in St. Paul’s epistles.<\/p>\n Num 4:3<\/span><\/em><\/strong>. <\/strong>From thirty years old and upward<\/em><\/strong><\/strong> In chap. Num 8:24<\/span> the age of twenty-five years <\/em>is appointed for the admission of the Levites to the service of the tabernacle; agreeably to which the LXX. read twenty-five years <\/em>here, which reconciles the passages. Some, however, suppose, that though the Levites in general were admitted to wait upon the tabernacle, and to administer to the priests at five and twenty, yet they were not put upon the laborious work of carrying the ark and other sacred things upon their shoulders, for which the selection is made in this place, (see Num 4:15<\/span>.) till they were thirty years of age. Hence, in David’s time, when the ark was settled, and consequently the work of the Levites less laborious, they were appointed to enter upon their office at twenty years. See 1Ch 23:27<\/span> and 2Ch 31:17<\/span>. <\/p>\n Num 4:3 From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.<\/p>\n Ver. 3. To do the work.<\/strong> ] The work of the ministry is not an idle man’s occupation, but a labouring even to lassitude; compared therefore to harvest work, and to that of cleaving wood, digging in mine pits, rowing with oars, &c. All the comfort is, that God that helped the Levites to bear the ark of the covenant, 1Ch 15:26 will not be wanting to his weak, but willing servants, “that labour in the word and doctrine.” 1Ti 5:17 <\/p>\n thirty. This thirty pertains to their numbering, The age twenty-five pertains to their service. So that there was a probationary live years. Changed (by Divine direction given to David) in 1Ch 23:23, 1Ch 23:24, 1Ch 23:27 to twenty. Compare 2Ch 31:17. <\/p>\n all that enter into the host. This expression occurs five times in this chapter, verses: Num 4:3, Num 4:30, Num 4:35, Num 3:39, Num 3:43. <\/p>\n tabernacle of the congregation = “tent of meeting”. Hebrew. ‘ohel. See App-40. <\/p>\n thirty years: Num 8:24-26, Gen 41:46, 1Ch 23:3, 1Ch 23:24-27, 1Ch 28:12, 1Ch 28:13, Luk 3:23, 1Ti 3:6 <\/p>\n enter: 2Ki 11:4-12, 2Ch 23:1-11, 2Co 10:3, 2Co 10:4, Eph 6:10-18, 1Ti 1:18 <\/p>\n to do: Num 3:7, Num 3:8, Num 16:9, 1Ch 6:48, 1Ch 23:4, 1Ch 23:5, 1Ch 23:28-32, 1Ti 3:1 <\/p>\n Reciprocal: Num 4:23 – thirty years Num 4:30 – service Num 4:35 – General Num 4:47 – From thirty Num 8:15 – go in 2Ch 31:17 – twenty Ezr 3:8 – twenty years old Eze 1:1 – in the thirtieth<\/p>\n Num 4:3. From thirty This age was prescribed, as the age of full strength of body, and therefore most proper for their laborious work of carrying the parts and vessels of the tabernacle, and of maturity of judgment, which is necessary for the right management of holy services. Whence even John and Christ entered not upon their ministry till that age. Indeed, their first entrance upon their work was at their twenty-fifth year, when they began as learners, and acted under the inspection and direction of their brethren; but in their thirtieth year they were completely admitted to a full discharge of their whole office. But David, being a prophet, and particularly directed by God in the affairs of the temple, made a change in this matter, because the magnificence of the temple, and the great multitude of the sacred utensils and sacrifices, required a greater number of attendants than formerly was necessary. Until fifty When they were exempted from the toilsome work of carrying burdens, but not discharged from the honourable and easy work done within the tabernacle. Num 8:26. All that enter That is, that do and may enter, having no defect, nor other impediment.<\/p>\n 4:3 From {a} thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.<\/p>\n (a) The Levites were counted at three times, first at a month old when they were consecrated to the Lord, next at 25 years old when they were appointed to serve in the tabernacle, and 30 years old to bear the burdens of the tabernacle.<\/p>\n From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation. 3. The period of active service for the Levites is here laid down as between 30 50 years of age. But in Num 8:23-26 it is between 25 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 4:3”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3755"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3755\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3755"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3755"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"