AND. Numbers begins with "And", as all the books of the Pentateuch do. It is therefore one whole in five sections, rather than separate books. the LORD spake = Jehovah (the Covenant God) spake to His own People. He spake fifty-six "sundry times" (7 x 8) in Numbers, and in thirteen "divers manners" (twelve to Moses, once to Aaron), and four times indefinite:. (1) To Moses alone (Numbers 1:1, Numbers 1:48; Numbers 3:5, Numbers 3:11, Numbers 3:14, Numbers 3:44; Numbers 4:21; Numbers 7:4; Numbers 8:5, Numbers 8:23; Numbers 10:1; Numbers 11:25; Numbers 13:1; Numbers 16:44; Numbers 25:10, Numbers 25:16; Numbers 26:52; Numbers 27:6; Numbers 31:1, Numbers 31:25; Numbers 34:16. (2) To Moses, to speak to Aaron (Numbers 8:1). (3) To Moses, to speak to Aaron and his sons (Numbers 6:22). (4) To Moses, to speak to Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest (Numbers 16:36). (5) To Moses, to speak to the Levites (Numbers 18:25). (6) To Moses, to speak to the congregation (Numbers 16:23). (7) To Moses, to speak to the children of Israel (Numbers 5:1, Numbers 5:5, Numbers 5:11; Numbers 6:1; Numbers 9:1 (Compare Numbers 1:4), 9; Numbers 15:1, Numbers 15:17, Numbers 15:37; Numbers 17:1; Numbers 28:1 (Compare Numbers 1:2); Numbers 33:50; Numbers 34:1; Numbers 35:1, Numbers 35:9). (8) To Moses, to speak to the rock (Numbers 20:7). (9) To Moses and Aaron (Numbers 2:1; Numbers 4:1, Numbers 4:17; Numbers 14:26; Numbers 16:20; Numbers 20:12, Numbers 20:23). (10) To Moses and Aaron, to speak to the children of Israel (Numbers 19:1). (11) To Moses and Aaron and Miriam (Numbers 12:4). (12) To Moses and Eleazar (Numbers 26:1). (13) To Aaron (Numbers 18:8). (Numbers 1:20 should be "said".) (14) Jehovah spake (indefinite) (Numbers 1:19; Numbers 3:1; Numbers 14:35; Numbers 27:23). For "the LORD said", see note on Numbers 3:40 (sixteen times, making seventy-two in all). Sinai. To which they had come on the third month after the exodus (Exodus 19:1), and where they abode till the twentieth day of the second month of the second year (Numbers 10:11). The numbering (Numbers 1) began on the first day of that month (Numbers 1:18). tabernacle = tent (Hebrew. ’ohel). See App-40. come = gone. Take ye. Compare Exodus 30:11, Exodus 30:12; Exodus 38:25. In Exodus, moral law (prophet); Leviticus, ritual law (priest); Numbers, commonwealth law (king). sum. Three numberings. Exodus 30:11, Exodus 30:12 (Compare Numbers 38:25, Numbers 38:26); here; and 26. congregation. See note on Genesis 28:3. children = sons. Hebrew. banim, from banah, to build, because the family thus built up. Compare Genesis 30:3. Rth 4:11. So throughout, polls. Edition of 1611 = poll. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6, skull or head put for person. thou and Aaron. In second numbering it is Moses and Eleazar, Numbers 26:1. man. Hebrew. ’ish. See App-14. every tribe. Hence twelve, and, with Moses and Aaron, fourteen. So the twelve apostles, with Paul and Barnabas = fourteen. these are the names. The order here = five sons of Leah, three of Rachel, one of Bilhah, two of Zilpah, and one of Bilhah. See App-45for other orders of the names. men. Hebrew, plural of ’Ish, or ’enosh. See App-14. Nahshon. In the line of the promised seed, the father of Salmon (husband of Rahab of Jericho), progenitor of Boaz of Bethlehem (husband of Ruth). Compare Rth 4:18-22. Matthew 1:4, Matthew 1:5. Luke 3:32. As = according as. wilderness of Sinai (Numbers 1:1), to distinguish it from the second, which was in the plains of Moab. Reuben. Lost his dignity in Genesis 49:3, Genesis 49:4; not many in number here. eldest son. See App-45. Simeon was greatly diminished by sin in Numbers 26:4, and Moses does not mention him in Deuteronomy 33. Those that were numbered of them. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, and Syriac, omit this clause. Compare verses: Numbers 1:20, Numbers 1:24, Numbers 1:26, &c. Gad takes the place of Levi here. fifty. Gad is the only one who has "tens", all the others "hundreds". In the case of the firstborn (Numbers 3:43) we have not only tens but units. Judah. His number is greatest (Genesis 49:8). Joseph. "The fruitful vine" (Genesis 49:22) has two tribes (not merely "families"). Thus Joseph has "the double portion" (1 Chronicles 5:1, 1 Chronicles 5:2). Ephraim. Blessed first (Genesis 48:19, Genesis 48:20), is here named first, and is increased more than Manasseh (Deuteronomy 33:17). But in journeyings his numbers were diminished by 8,000. See Numbers 26:37, and compare 1 Chronicles 7:20-22. Manasseh. The lowest in number. See Genesis 48:19. Increased by 20,500 in journeying, Numbers 26:34, Numbers 26:37 (compare Job 12:23). Of the children. So in Authorized Version, and Revised Version, but not in Hebrew text, though it is so in some codices, Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate. Some Jewish commentators explain it as being only "the sons", because Naphtali had more daughters than sons, and in Genesis 49:51 is likened to a female (hind). Hence in Numbers 26:64 it is said, the "men" died (but the women multiplied). twelve men: one man for one tribe (Numbers 1:4). men. Hebrew ’Ish. App-14. all they. The number in Exodus 12:37 is not "exaggerated", as the number here had increased since then; moreover, the numbers here coincide with the numbers of the half-shekels, which had been contributed by them in Exodus 30:14 with Exodus 38:25, Exodus 38:26, before the tabernacle was set up. Compare Exodus 38:25 with Exodus 40:17. Levites not numbered here with the nation, but separately in Numbers 3:14-29. spoken. See note on Numbers 1:1. tabernacle = habitation. Hebrew. mishkan. See App-40. put to death. Probably by Jehovah. Compare 1 Chronicles 13:10. pitch = encamp. that there be no wrath: i.e. no judgment from God. "wrath" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for the judgment inflicted. App-6. Hebrew. kazaph. First occurrence. the LORD [Hebrew. Jehovah. spake. See note on Numbers 1:1. man. Hebrew. ’ish. See App-14. children = sons. See note on Numbers 1:2. pitch = encamp. standard. Hebrew. degel. ensign. Each standard is said to have had as its "sign" one of the twelve constellations (see note on Genesis 1:16, and App-12. Hebrew. ’oth) depicted on it. One standard, with its sign on it for each tribe. Hence called "ensign". See notes on the tribes below, from the Targum of Jonathan. far off = over against. Same as Psalms 38:12, yet so as to be in view. Compare 2 Kings 2:7. Deuteronomy 32:52. Genesis 21:16. tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. ’ohel. See App-40. east. The order proceeds according to the course of the sun: east, south, west, north. camp. Each camp composed of three tribes. Compare verses: Numbers 2:3, Numbers 2:10, Numbers 2:17, Numbers 3:18, Numbers 3:25, Numbers 3:32. Judah. The sign, a lion (Genesis 49:9. Ezekiel 1:10. Revelation 4:7). The standard, the colors of the three stones of the second row, Exodus 28:1-8, For the order, see App-45. Issachar, brother of Judah (same mother, Leah). Genesis 35:23. Sign on standard = Cancer. Then. This word, according to some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, should not be in italics. Compare verses: Numbers 2:14, Numbers 2:22, Numbers 2:29, Zebulun, brother of Judah (same mother, Leah). Genesis 35:23. Sign on standard = Virgo. south. See note on "east", Numbers 2:3. Reuben. The centre of the south side, with standard in the colors of stones of first row of Exo 28:17; and sign, a man (Genesis 30:14) = Aquarius in Zodiac. Simeon, the brother of Reuben (same mother, Leah). Genesis 35:23. Sign = Pisces. Gad, brother of Reuben (same mother, Leah). Genesis 35:23. Sign = Aries. Reuel. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel and Vulgate, have "Deuel", as in Ch. Numbers 1:14; Numbers 7:41; Numbers 10:20; the (Resh, R) being mistaken for (Daleth, D). Probably called, indifferently, by either name. tabernacle of the congregation. See note on Numbers 2:2. This was in centre. So is the tent of the chief of the tribe to this day. The manner of its being carried is shown in Ch. Numbers 10:17, &c. Levites. The order of the Levites’ camping is shown in Numbers 3, their marching in Numbers 10. Their sign was Libra, or more anciently the "altar". as = according as. west. See note on Numbers 2:3. Hebrew = sea, that being west. Ephraim. The centre on the west side. The colors of the stones in fourth row of Exo 28:20. The sign, an ox (Deuteronomy 33:17. Ezekiel 1:10. Revelation 4:7). In the Zodiac, Ephraim and Manasseh are the two horns of Taurus, the bull. Ephraim, the younger, bears the standard, according to the blessing in Genesis 48:14-20. Manasseh, brother of Ephraim by same mother (Genesis 41:51, Genesis 41:52). Sign, see Numbers 2:18. Benjamin, sons of Rachel, all on west side. Sign, Gemini. Dan. The centre on the north side. Colors of standard same as those of the third row of stones in Exodus 28:19. Sign, the eagle (substituted for the serpent of Gen 49:17). Compare Ezekiel 1:10. Revelation 4:7. Asher, the son of the other handmaid Zilpah, put with Dan and Naphtali, the sons of Bilhah. His sign was Sagittarius, the Archer. Naphtali. His sign was Capricornus, the goat. Compare Genesis 49:21. the camps. See note on Numbers 2:3, and App-45. They may be thus set forth: generations. The twelfth occurrence (eleven in Genesis (see p. 1), one here, one in Rth 4:18-22, one in Matthew 1:1, fourteen (2 x 7, see App-10) in all. the LORD = Jehovah, Israel’s Covenant God. See App-4. spake. See note on Numbers 1:1. These. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, and Syriac, read "And these". whom he consecrated. See note on Exodus 28:41. died before the LORD. This parenthetical statement is an undesigned coincidence referring to Leviticus 10:1-7. Compare Numbers 26:61, and 1 Chronicles 24:2. children = sons. present = cause it to stand. tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. ’ohel. See App-40. the tabernacle. Hebrew. miahkdn. App-40. instruments = vessels or furniture. Israel. The whole nation was responsible for this charge, but Levi was taken in substitution for the firstborn. Compare verses: Numbers 3:38, Numbers 3:41, and Compare Numbers 8:16. Exodus 13:11-16. wholly given. Hebrew "given, given". Figure of speech Epizeuxis (App-6), for emphasis. Hence called nethunim = given ones. behold. Figure of speech Asterismos (App-6), for emphasis. hallowed = separated. See note on "holy", Exodus 3:5. man. Hebrew. ’adam. See App-14. I am the LORD. This is the reason for this act of sovereignty. Compare Exodus 12:29, Exodus 12:30; Exodus 13:2. The interpretation of Heb 12:23 depends on this ordinance. Note the emphatic "I", Numbers 3:12, and the Figure of speech Asterismos there. word. Hebrew "mouth", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for words spoken by it. as = according as. names. Substituted by name here because redeemed by name. Exodus 1:1. the. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and the" door = entrance. candlestick = lampstand. chief over the chief. Hebrew = "chief of the chief". Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6), being a kind of Enallage (App-6). Merari. Figure of speech Epanadiplosis (App-6), the verse beginning and ending with the same word. charge of the children of Israel. The whole nation responsible. Compare Numbers 3:8 and Numbers 41:45. and Aaron. These two words are dotted in the Hebrew. See App-31. The command was given to Moses alone (verses: Numbers 3:14, Numbers 3:15), and was carried out by him alone (Numbers 3:16). As Aaron took part, according to Numbers 1:3, Numbers 1:4, and Numbers 4:41, Numbers 4:45, Numbers 4:46, his name was included here by some ancient copyist; and later scribes dotted the words rather than leave them out. commandment. Hebrew "mouth", put for what was spoken by it by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6. the LORD said = Jehovah said. Hebrew. ’amar (not davar, spake), ’amar is followed by the words spoken, davar is not. This expression, Jehovah said, occurs eighteen "sundry times" and in five "divers manners" in this book of Numbers. Compare note on Numbers 1:1 (1) To Moses (alone), Numbers 3:40; Numbers 7:11; Numbers 11:16, Numbers 11:23; Numbers 12:14; Numbers 14:11; Numbers 15:35; Numbers 17:10; Numbers 21:8, Numbers 21:34; Numbers 26:4; Numbers 27:12, Numbers 27:18. (2) To Aaron, Numbers 18:1. (3) To Balaam, Numbers 23:5, Numbers 23:16. (4) He said, Numbers 12:6. (6) I Jehovah have said, Numbers 14:35. With the fifty-six times "Jehovah spake" (See Numbers 1:1), these eighteen make seventy-four times, and sixteen manners. See note on Numbers 22:9, for "God said" (four times, making seventy-eight in all). as = according as instead. This substitution is the subject of this large member. redeemed = bought back. Hebrew. g’aal. See note on Exodus 6:8 more = over and above: 273 (= 13 x 21). App-10. The firstborn males were 22,273 The Levites were 22,000. This leaves a difference of 273. shekels. See App-51. gerahs. See App-51. of = from. a thousand, &c. = 1365 (= 13 x 105), being 5 x 273, i.e. five shekels apiece, Numbers 3:47. See App-10. the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4. spake. See note on Numbers 1:1. 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 1 Chronicles 23:23, 1 Chronicles 23:24, 1 Chronicles 23:27 to twenty. Compare 2 Chronicles 31:17. all that enter into the host. This expression occurs five times in this chapter, verses: Numbers 4:3, Numbers 4:30, Numbers 4:35, Numbers 3:39, Numbers 3:43. tabernacle of the congregation = "tent of meeting". Hebrew. ’ohel. See App-40. most holy = the holiest. Hebrew holiness of holinesses. See note on Exodus 3:5. And. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6), here and in following verses, to emphasize each particular in verses: Numbers 4:5-15. table of shewbread. See Exodus 25:30 and Leviticus 24:6. dishes. In chApp-4rendered "charger" throughout. spoons = dishes. bowls = pans. covers = bowls. to cover = to pour. continual. Compare Leviticus 24:8. candlestick = light-holder, as in Genesis 1:14. bar = pole. Compare Numbers 13:23. the. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and the". See note on Numbers 4:5 above. fleshhooks: or forks. and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6), emphasizing each separate item. basons: or sprinkling-bowls. holy. See note on Exodus 3:5. light = candlestick. See on Numbers 4:9 above. tabernacle = habitation. Hebrew. mishkan. App-40. every one = each to his own work. No confusion. to see. Compare Exodus 19:21. 1 Samuel 6:19. perform the service. Hebrew war the warfare. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6), for emphasis = do the important or solemn work. door = entrance. appointment. Hebrew "mouth", put for what is said or bidden by it. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause). App-6, do the work. Hebrew "serve the service". Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6), for emphasis = perform the solemn service. the instruments of. Instead of these words some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel and Septuagint, read "all", i.e. "all the charge". commandment. Hebrew "mouth". Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, put for words spoken by it. hand. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, "hand" put for ministry performed by Moses. do the service. Hebrew "serve the service". Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6), for emphasis = do the solemn or important service. commandment. Hebrew "mouth", put for what is said by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause). App-6. hand. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for ministry performed by it. every one. Hebrew. ’ish ’iah. See App-14. the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4. spake. See note on Numbers 1:1. children = sons. See note on Numbers 1:2. the dead = the soul. Hebrew. nephesh. See App-13. Compare Ch. Numbers 6:6. Leviticus 21:1. Leviticus 19:11. See note on Leviticus 19:28. Touching a dead man, rendered the one who touched unclean seven days (Numbers 19:11); touching other dead creatures, rendered unclean only till the evening (Leviticus 11:27, Leviticus 11:39, Leviticus 11:40). put out, without the camp. Compare Numbers 12:14, Numbers 12:15. as = according as. man. Hebrew. ’ish. See App-14. sin. Hebrew. chat’a. App-44. men. Hebrew. ’adam. See App-14. trespass. Hebrew. ma’al. App-44. person = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13. recompense = return back. trespass. Hebrew. ’asham. App-44. kinsman. Hebrew. goel, redeemer. See note on Exodus 6:6. atonement. See note on Exodus 29:33. offering = heave offering. Hebrew. terumah. See App-43, and note on Exodus 29:27. holy = separated. See note on Exodus 3:5. hallowed = separated. See note on "holy", Exodus 3:5. whatsoever. Some codices, with one printed edition, Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and whatsoever". his: i.e. the priest’s. the spirit of jealousy = a jealous motion or affection of the mind. Here, Hebrew. ruach (App-9) is put for the feelings, &c., as in Isaiah 11:2. Ephesians 1:17. Hosea 4:12. offering. Hebrew. korban, approach-offering. See App-43. ephah. See App-51. barley. No other grain, and no other measure. Compare Leviticus 2:1. offering: i.e. of jealousy. Hebrew. minchah (App-43.), meal offering. offering: i.e. of memorial, i.e. causing iniquity to be remembered. iniquity. Hebrew. ’avah. App-44. holy = separated: taken from the laver. See note on Exodus 3:5. tabernacle. Hebrew. mishkan. App-40. bitter water. Hebrew water of bitters, Genitive of cause: i.e., causing bitterness of spirit. Compare Psalms 109:18. Proverbs 5:4. Bitter = ham’arim. curse. Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6). Hebrew. ham’arim. charge, &c. This ordeal was provided for in the Laws of Khammurabi, 131, 132. See App-15. Amen. A Hebrew word, transferred to the Greek = verily, truly so. If one adjured another and he replied "Amen", it was thereby considered as confirmed by an oath. Compare 2 Corinthians 1:20. become bitter = turn to bitterness. offering. Hebrew. minchah, gift or meal offering. See App-43. wave. See note on Exodus 29:27. offer it = bring it. Hebrew. karab. App-43. memorial. The handful (Leviticus 2:2) so-called. burn. Hebrew. katar. See App-43. be. Hebrew she be. iniquity. Hebrew. ’avah. App-44. bear her iniquity = bear the punishment of it. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6. Compare Leviticus 20:17, Leviticus 20:19, Leviticus 20:20. Ezekiel 4:4, Ezekiel 4:5. See App-44. the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4. spake. See note on Numbers 1:1. children = sons. man. Hebrew. ’ish. See App-14. woman. Either could be a Nazarite. vow a vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6), for emphasis = make a special vow. Compare Acts 18:18; Acts 21:23. a Nazarite = one separate, from Hebrew. nazir, to separate. Compare Genesis 49:26. Judges 13:5, Judges 13:7. Lamentations 4:7. wine. Hebrew. yayin. See App-27. strong drink. Hebrew. shekar. See App-27. liquor of grapes = mashed grapes. moist = green or "fresh". separation = Nazariteship. vine tree = grape vine. come at = come near. no dead body = no dead soul. Hebrew. nephesh. See App-13, and note on Leviticus 19:28. consecration = separation, or Nazariteship. God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4. turtles = turtle-doves. door = entrance. tabernacle of the congregation = tent of assembly. See App-40. offer = prepare. See App-43. atonement. See note on Exodus 29:33. dead = soul. Hebrew. nephesh (App-13): i.e. the dead person. hallow his head: i.e. by beginning anew the days of his vow (Numbers 6:9), during which the hair must grow, as in Numbers 6:5. See note on "holy", Exodus 3:5. consecrate = separate. separation = Nazarite ship. trespass offering. See App-43. be lost. Hebrew fall, i.e. not be counted. the Nazarite = the one separate. offer = bring near. Hebrew. karab. See App-43. offering = approach offering. App-43. sin offering. See App-43. cakes = pierced cakes. meat offering = meal or gift offering. App-43. sacrifice. App-43. Compare Acts 21:26, Acts 21:27. sodden = boiled. wave offering. See note on Exodus 29:27. holy. See note on Exodus 3:5. beside, &c.: i.e., if able, he might voluntarily make an addition thereto. The LORD = Jehovah the Father, the source of all blessing. Compare Ephesians 1:3. Hebrews 10:7. The LORD = Jehovah the Son, the channel of all blessing, Ephesians 1:3. Compare Acts 3:26. Hebrews 10:10. face: put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for whole Person. App-6. Also Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. The LORD = Jehovah the Spirit, the witness of all blessing. Compare Hebrews 10:7, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:15. countenance: same as "face" in Numbers 6:25, this is the token of Divine favour and delight. Compare Job 29:24. Psalms 4:6, and the result Numbers 6:7. peace = rest or security.