Shoot out in branches, or renew the birth;
An orphan now, cut from the mother earth
By the keen axe, dishonor'd of its hair,
And cased in brass, for Latian kings to bear.
And thus in public view the peace was tied
With solemn vows, and sworn on either side.
Dryden.
When the circumstance of the rod or scepter being used anciently in this way, and the absolute impossibility of its reviviscence so strongly appealed to, is considered, it appears to have been a very proper instrument for the present occasion, for the change that passed on it must be acknowledged as an immediate and incontestable miracle.
Verse 12
Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish - גוענו gavaenu signifies not so much to die simply, as to feel an extreme difficulty of breathing, which, producing suffocation, ends at last in death. See the folly and extravagance of this sinful people. At first, every person might come near to God, for all, they thought, were sufficiently holy, and every way qualified to minister in holy things. Now, no one, in their apprehension, can come near to the tabernacle without being consumed, [Num 17:13]. In both cases they were wrong; some there were who might approach, others there were who might not. God had put the difference. His decision should have been final with them; but sinners are ever running into extremes.
Introduction
The priests are to bear the iniquity of the sanctuary, [Num 18:1]. The Levites to minister to the priests, and have charge of the tabernacle, [Num 18:2-4]. The priests alone to have the charge of the sanctuary, etc., no stranger to come nigh on pain of death, [Num 18:5-7] The portion allowed for their maintenance, [Num 18:8]. They shall have every meat-offering; and they shall eat them in the holy place, [Num 18:9], [Num 18:10]. The wave-offerings, [Num 18:11]. The first-fruits of the oil, wine, and wheat, and whatever is first ripe, and every devoted thing, [Num 18:12-14]; also, all the first-born of men and beasts, [Num 18:15-18]; and heave-offerings, [Num 18:19]. The priests shall have no inheritance, [Num 18:20]. The Levites shall have no inheritance, but shall have the tenth of the produce in Israel, [Num 18:21-24], of which they are to give a tenth to the priests, taken from the best parts, [Num 18:25-30].
Verse 1
Thou and thy sons - shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary, etc. - That is, They must be answerable for its legal pollutions, and must make the necessary atonements and expiations. By this they must feel that though they had got a high and important office confirmed to them by a miraculous interference, yet it was a place of the highest responsibility; and that they must not be high-minded, but fear.
Verse 2
Thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi - may be joined unto thee - There is a fine paronomasia, or play upon words, in the original. לוי Levi comes from the root לוה lavah, to join to, couple, associate: hence Moses says, the Levites, ילוו yillavu, shall be joined, or associated with the priests; they shall conjointly perform the whole of the sacred office, but the priests shall be principal, the Levites only their associates or assistants.
Verse 15
The first-born of man - and the firstling of unclean beasts - Thus vain man is ranked with the beasts that perish; and with the worst kinds of them too, those deemed unclean.
Verse 16
Shalt thou redeem - for the money of five shekels - Redemption of the first-born is one of the rites which is still practiced among the Jews. According to Leo of Modena, it is performed in the following manner: -
When the child is thirty days old, the father sends for one of the descendants of Aaron: several persons being assembled on the occasion, the father brings a cup containing several pieces of gold and silver coin. The priest then takes the child into his arms, and addressing himself to the mother, says: Is this thy son?
Mother. Yes.
Priest. Hast thou never had another child, male or female, a miscarriage or untimely birth?
Mother. No.
Priest. This being the case, this child, as first-born, belongs to me.
Then, turning to the father, he says: If it be thy desire to have this child, thou must redeem it.
Father. I present thee with this gold and silver for this purpose.
Priest. Thou dost wish, therefore, to redeem the child?
Father. I do wish so to do.
The priest then, turning himself to the assembly, says: Very well; this child, as first-born, is mine, as it is written in Bemidbar, ([Num 18:16]), Thou shalt redeem the first-born of a month old for five shekels, but I shall content myself with this in exchange. He then takes two gold crowns, or thereabouts, and returns the child to his parents.
Verse 19
It is a covenant of salt - That is, an incorruptible, everlasting covenant. As salt was added to different kinds of viands, not only to give them a relish, but to preserve them from putrefaction and decay, it became the emblem of incorruptibility and permanence. Hence, a covenant of salt signified an everlasting covenant. We have already seen that, among the Asiatics, eating together was deemed a bond of perpetual friendship; and as salt was a common article in all their repasts, it may be in reference to this circumstance that a perpetual covenant is termed a covenant of salt; because the parties ate together of the sacrifice offered on the occasion, and the whole transaction was considered as a league of endless friendship. See the note on [Lev 2:13].
Verse 20
I am thy part and thine inheritance - The principal part of what was offered to God was the portion of the priests, therefore they had no inheritance of land in Israel; independently of that they had a very ample provision for their support. The rabbins say twenty-four gifts were given to the priests, and they are all expressed in the law. Eight of those gifts the priests ate nowhere but in the sanctuary: these eight are the following: -
1. The flesh of the Sin-Offering, whether of beasts or fowls, [Lev 6:25], [Lev 6:26].
2. The flesh of the Trespass-Offering, [Lev 7:1], [Lev 7:6].
3. The Peace-Offerings of the congregation, [Lev 23:19], [Lev 23:20].
4. The remainder of the Omer or Sheaf, [Lev 23:10], etc.
5. The remnants of the Meat-Offerings of the Israelites, [Lev 6:16].
6. The two Loaves, [Lev 23:17].
7. The Shew-Bread, [Lev 24:9].
8. The Log of oil offered by the leper, [Lev 14:10], etc.
Five of those gifts they ate only in Jerusalem: -
1. The breast and shoulder of the Peace-Offerings, [Lev 7:31], [Lev 7:34].
2. The Heave-Offering of the sacrifice of confession, [Lev 7:12-14].