Albert Barnes Commentary Numbers 3
Albert Barnes Commentary
Numbers 3
Albert Barnes Commentary
Numbers 3
"Now these are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that Jehovah spake with Moses in mount Sinai." — Numbers 3:1 (ASV)
The “generations” now given, though entitled those of Aaron and Moses (Aaron standing first as the older brother), are those of Aaron only. The personal dignity of Moses, though it gave him rank as head of his tribe, was not hereditary. He had no successor in his office, and desired to have none (Numbers 14:12; Exodus 32:10), except the distant prophet like unto himself (Deuteronomy 18:18). Aaron was the ancestor of a regular succession of priests.
"These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests that were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest`s office." — Numbers 3:3 (ASV)
whom he consecrated — that is, whom Moses consecrated, or literally as in the margin, whose “hand he filled,” by conferring their office upon them (Leviticus 8:1 and following).
"And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle." — Numbers 3:7 (ASV)
keep his charge - that is, so assist him that the obligations incumbent on him and on the congregation may be fulfilled.
"for all the first-born are mine; on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast; mine they shall be: I am Jehovah." — Numbers 3:13 (ASV)
The concluding words are better expressed thus: Mine shall they be, Mine, the Lord’s. On the subject of the firstborn, see the notes at (Numbers 3:43–51).
"and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof." — Numbers 3:26 (ASV)
the cords ... the service thereof - that is, of the tabernacle, not of the hangings of the court, for these, with their cords and other fittings, belonged to the charge of the Merarites (Numbers 3:36–37). The tabernacle was under the care of the Gershonites.
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