John Gill Commentary Numbers 8:11

"and Aaron shall offer the Levites before Jehovah for a wave-offering, on the behalf of the children of Israel, that it may be theirs to do the service of Jehovah." — Numbers 8:11 (ASV)

And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord Or "wave" ^F18 them, as a wave offering, which was moved to and fro, backwards and forwards; not that they were actually so waved and moved to and fro by Aaron, which could not be done by him; though it is possible he might make such a motion himself, and they might do the like after him, thereby signifying that they belonged unto the Lord of the whole earth; and some think this testified their readiness to serve the Lord; to which may be added their constant employment in his service, being always in motion, doing one piece of service or another continually; as the people of God, and especially the ministers of the word, should be always abounding: in the work of the Lord.

Ainsworth supposes that the troubles and afflictions of the ministers of God are figured hereby:

[for] an offering of the children of Israel ; to the Lord, hereby devoting them to his service:

that they may execute the service of the Lord ; for them, in their room and stead, do what otherwise they must have done; see (Numbers 3:7Numbers 3:8) ; with this compare (Isaiah 66:20Isaiah 66:21) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F18: (Pynhw) "et motabit", Tigurine version; "et faciet elevare", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; "et agitabit", Drusius; "et agitato", Piscator.