1Und JehovaH3068 sprachH559 zu AaronH175 : Du und deine SöhneH1121 und das HausH1004 deines VatersH1 mit dir, ihr sollt die UngerechtigkeitH5771 des HeiligtumsH4720 tragenH5375; und du und deine SöhneH1121 mit dir, ihr sollt die UngerechtigkeitH5771 eures PriestertumsH3550 tragenH5375. 2Und auch deine BrüderH251, den StammH4294 LeviH3878, den StammH7626 deines VatersH1, laß mit dir herzunahen, daß sie sichH7126 dir anschließen und dir dienenH8334; du aber und deine SöhneH1121 mit dir, ihr sollt vorH6440 dem Zelte des ZeugnissesH5715 dienen. 3Und sie sollen deiner HutH4931 wartenH8104 und der HutH4931 des ganzen ZeltesH168; nur den Geräten des HeiligtumsH6944 und dem AltarH4196 sollen sie nicht nahenH7126, daß sie nicht sterbenH4191, sowohl sie als auch ihr. 4Und sie sollen sichH7126 dir anschließen und der HutH4931 des ZeltesH168 der ZusammenkunftH4150 warten nach allem Dienste des ZeltesH168; aber kein FremderH2114 soll euchH8104 nahen. 5Und ihr solltH8104 der HutH4931 des HeiligtumsH6944 und der HutH4931 des AltarsH4196 warten, daß kein ZornH7110 mehr über die KinderH1121 IsraelH3478 komme. 6Und ich, siehe, ich habeH3947 eure BrüderH251, dieH5647 LevitenH3881, ausH8432 der Mitte der KinderH1121 IsraelH3478 genommen; euch als GeschenkH4979 sind sie dem JehovaH3068 gegebenH5414, um den DienstH5656 des ZeltesH168 der ZusammenkunftH4150 zu verrichten. 7Du aber undH4979 deine SöhneH1121 mit dir, ihr solltH8104 eures PriestertumsH3550 warten, in allem was den AltarH4196 betrifft undH7131 innerhalb des Vorhangs, und so den DienstH5656 tun; als einen geschenkten Dienst gebeH5414 ich euch dasH1697 PriestertumH3550. Der FremdeH2114 aber, der herzunaht, sollH4191 getötet werdenH5647. 8Und JehovaH3068 redeteH1696 zu AaronH175 : Und ich, siehe, ich habe dir die HutH4931 meiner HebopferH8641 gegebenH5414; von allen heiligenH6944 Dingen der KinderH1121 IsraelH3478 habe ich sieH2706 dir und deinen SöhnenH1121 gegebenH5414, als Salbungsteil, als eine ewigeH5769 GebührH4888. 9Dies soll dir gehören von dem HochheiligenH6944, das nicht verbrannt wirdH784 : alle ihre Opfergaben nach allen ihren SpeisopfernH4503 und nach allen ihren SündopfernH2403 und nach allen ihren SchuldopfernH817, die sieH6944 mirH7725 darbringen, als ein HochheiligesH6944 soll es dir und deinen SöhnenH1121 gehören. 10An hochheiligem Orte sollst du es essenH398, alles MännlicheH2145 soll es essenH398; es soll dir heiligH6944 sein. 11Und dies soll dir gehören: die HebopferH8641 ihrer Gaben, nach allen Webopfern der KinderH1121 IsraelH3478; dir und deinen SöhnenH1121 und deinen TöchternH1323 mit dir habe ich sieH2706 gegebenH5414 als eine ewigeH5769 Gebühr; jeder ReineH2889 in deinem HauseH1004 soll es essenH398. 12Alles BesteH2459 vom ÖlH3323 und alles BesteH2459 vom MostH8492 und GetreideH1715, ihre ErstlingeH7225, die sie JehovaH3068 gebenH5414, dir habe ich sie gegebenH5414. 13Die erstenH1061 Früchte von allem, was in ihrem LandeH776 wächst, die sie JehovaH3068 bringenH935, sollen dir gehören; jeder ReineH2889 in deinem HauseH1004 soll davon essenH398. 14Alles VerbannteH2764 in IsraelH3478 soll dir gehören. 15Alles, was die MutterH7358 brichtH6363, von allem FleischeH1320, das sieH7126 JehovaH3068 darbringen, an MenschenH120 und an ViehH929, soll dir gehören; nur sollst du den ErstgeborenenH1060 vom MenschenH120 jedenfalls lösenH6299, und das ErstgeboreneH1060 vom unreinenH2931 ViehH929 sollst du lösenH6299. 16Und die zu Lösenden unter ihnen sollst du von einem MonatH2320 an lösenH6299, nach deiner SchätzungH6187, um fünfH2568 Sekel SilberH3701, nach dem Sekel desH1121 HeiligtumsH6944, der zwanzig H6242 H1626 Gera ist. 17Aber das ErstgeboreneH1060 vom Rinde oder das ErstgeboreneH1060 von den SchafenH3775 oder das ErstgeboreneH1060 von den ZiegenH5795 sollst du nicht lösenH6299; sie sind heiligH6944. Ihr BlutH1818 sollst du an den AltarH4196 sprengenH2236, und ihr FettH2459 sollst du als Feueropfer räuchernH6999 zum lieblichenH5207 GeruchH7381 für JehovaH3068. 18Und ihr FleischH1320 soll dir gehören; wie die BrustH2373 des Webopfers und wie der rechteH3225 SchenkelH7785 soll es dir gehören. 19Alle HebopferH8641 der heiligenH6944 Dinge, welche die KinderH1121 IsraelH3478 dem JehovaH3068 hebenH7311, habe ichH5769 dir gegebenH5414, und deinen SöhnenH1121 und deinen TöchternH1323 mit dir, als eine ewigeH5769 Gebühr; es istH2706 ein ewiger SalzbundH4417 vorH6440 JehovaH3068 für dich und für deinen SamenH2233 mit dir. 20Und JehovaH3068 sprachH559 zu AaronH175 : InH8432 ihrem LandeH776 sollst du nichts erbenH5157 und sollst kein TeilH2506 inH8432 ihrer Mitte haben; ich bin dein TeilH2506 und dein ErbeH5159 inmitten der KinderH1121 IsraelH3478. 21Und siehe, den KindernH1121 LeviH3878 habe ich allen ZehntenH4643 in IsraelH3478 zum ErbteilH5159 gegebenH5414 fürH2500 ihren DienstH5656, den sie verrichten, den DienstH5656 des ZeltesH168 der ZusammenkunftH4150. 22Und die KinderH1121 IsraelH3478 sollen nichtH5750 mehr dem Zelte der ZusammenkunftH4150 nahen, um SündeH2399 auf sichH7126 zu ladenH5375, daß sie sterbenH4191; 23dieH5647 LevitenH3881 vielmehr sollen den DienstH5656 des ZeltesH168 der ZusammenkunftH4150 verrichten, undH8432 sie sollen ihre UngerechtigkeitH5771 tragenH5375 : eine ewigeH5769 SatzungH2708 bei euren GeschlechternH1755. Aber inmitten der KinderH1121 IsraelH3478 sollen sie kein ErbteilH5159 besitzenH5157; 24denn den ZehntenH4643 der KinderH1121 IsraelH3478, welchen sie JehovaH3068 als HebopferH8641 hebenH7311, habe ich den LevitenH3881 zum ErbteilH5159 gegebenH5414; darum habe ich von ihnen gesagtH559, daß sie inmiten der KinderH1121 IsraelH3478 kein ErbteilH5159 besitzenH5157 sollen. 25Und JehovaH3068 redeteH1696 zu MoseH4872 und sprachH559 : 26Und zu den LevitenH3881 sollstH3947 duH559 redenH1696 und zu ihnen sprechen: Wenn ihr von den KindernH1121 IsraelH3478 den ZehntenH4643 nehmet, den ich euch von ihnen als euer ErbteilH5159 gegebenH5414 habe, so sollt ihr davon ein HebopferH8641 für JehovaH3068 hebenH7311, den ZehntenH4643 von dem ZehntenH4643. 27Und euer HebopferH8641 wird euch gerechnet werdenH2803 wie das GetreideH1715 von der TenneH1637 und wie die FülleH4395 von der KelterH3342. 28Also sollt auch ihr ein HebopferH8641 für JehovaH3068 hebenH7311 von allen euren ZehntenH4643, die ihr von den KindernH1121 IsraelH3478 nehmetH3947, und davon das HebopferH8641 für JehovaH3068 AaronH175, dem PriesterH3548, gebenH5414. 29Von allem euch Gegebenen sollt ihr alles HebopferH8641 JehovasH3068 hebenH7311, von allem BestenH2459 desselben das Geheiligte davon. 30Und du sollst zu ihnen sagenH559 : Wenn ihr das BesteH2459 davon hebetH7311, so soll es den LevitenH3881 gerechnet werdenH2803 wie der ErtragH8393 der TenneH1637 und wie der ErtragH8393 der KelterH3342. 31Und ihr möget ihn essenH398 an jedem OrteH4725, ihr und euer HausH1004; denn das ist euer LohnH7939 fürH2500 euren DienstH5656 am Zelte der ZusammenkunftH4150. 32Und ihr werdet seinethalben keine SündeH2399 aufH7311 euch ladenH5375, wenn ihr das BesteH2459 davon hebet, und werdet die heiligenH6944 Dinge der KinderH1121 IsraelH3478 nicht entweihenH2490 und nicht sterbenH4191.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 The coherence of this chapter with that foregoing is very observable.
I. The people, in the close of that chapter, had complained of the difficulty and peril that there were in drawing near to God, which put them under some dreadful apprehensions that the tabernacle in the midst of them, which they hoped would have been their joy and glory, would rather be their terror and ruin. Now, in answer to this complaint, God here gives them to understand by Aaron that the priests should come near for them as their representatives; so that, though the people were obliged to keep their distance, yet that should not at all redound to their disgrace or prejudice, but their comfortable communion with God should be kept up by the interposition of the priests.
II. A great deal of honour God had now lately put upon Aaron; his rod had budded and blossomed, when the rods of the rest of the princes remained dry, and destitute both of fruit and ornament. Now lest Aaron should be puffed up with the abundance of the favours that were done him, and the miracles that were wrought for the support of him in his high station, God comes to him to remind him of the burden that was laid upon him, and the duty required from him as a priest. He would see reason not to be proud of his preferment, but to receive the honours of his office with reverence and holy trembling, when he considered how great was the charge committed to him, and how hard it would be for him to give a good account of it.
Be not high-minded, but fear. 1. God tells him of the danger that attended his dignity,
Num 18:1. (1.) That both the priests and Levites (
thou, and thy sons, and thy father's house ) should
bear the iniquity of the sanctuary; that is, if the sanctuary were profaned by the intrusion of strangers, or persons in their uncleanness, the blame should lie upon the Levites and priests, who ought to have kept them off. Though the sinner that thrust in presumptuously should die in his iniquity, yet his blood should be required at the hands of the watchmen. Or it may be taken more generally: If any of the duties or offices of the sanctuary be neglected, if any service be not done in its season or not according to the law, if any thing be lost or misplaced in the removal of the sanctuary, you shall be accountable for it, and answer it at your peril. (2.) That the priests should themselves
bear the iniquity of the priesthood; that is, if they either neglected any part of their work or permitted any other persons to invade their office, and take their work out of their hands, they should bear the blame of it. Note, The greater the trust is of work and power that is committed to us the greater is our danger of contracting guilt, by falsifying and betraying that trust. This is a good reason why we should neither be envious at others' honours nor ambitious ourselves of high places, because great dignity exposes us to great iniquity. Those that are entrusted with the charge of the sanctuary will have a great deal to answer for. Who would covet the care of souls who considers the account that must be given of that care?
2. He tells him of the duty that attended his dignity. (1.) That he and his sons must
minister before the tabernacle of witness (
Num 18:2); that is (as bishop Patrick explains it),
before the most holy place, in which the ark was, on the outside of the veil of that tabernacle, but within the door of the tabernacle, of the congregation. They were to attend the golden altar, the table, and candlestick, which no Levite might approach to.
You shall serve, Num 18:7. Not, You shall rule (it was never intended that they should lord it over God's heritage), but You shall serve God and the congregation. Note, The priesthood is a service.
If any desire the office of a bishop he desires a good work. Ministers must remember that they are ministers, that is, servants, of whom it is required that they be humble, diligent, and faithful. (2.) That the Levites must assist him and his sons, and minister to them in all the
service of the tabernacle (
Num 18:2-
Num 18:4), though they must by no means come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary, nor at the altar meddle with the great services of burning the fat and sprinkling the blood. Aaron's family was very small, and, as it increased, the rest of the families of Israel would increase likewise, so that the hands of the priests neither were now nor were likely to be sufficient for all the service of the tabernacle; therefore (says God)
the Levites shall be joined to thee, Num 18:2, and again
Num 18:4, where there seems to be an allusion to the name of Levi, which signifies
joined. Many of the Levites had of late set themselves against Aaron, but henceforward God promises that they should be heartily joined to him in interest and affection, and should no more contest with him. It was a good sign to Aaron that God owned him when he inclined the hearts of those concerned to own him too. The Levites are said to be given as a gift to the priests,
Num 18:6. Note, We are to value it as a great gift of the divine bounty to have those joined to us that will be helpful and serviceable to us in the service of God. (3.) That both priests and Levites must carefully watch against the profanation of sacred things. The Levites must
keep the charge of the tabernacle, that
no stranger (that is, none who upon any account was forbidden to come) might
come nigh (
Num 18:4), and that upon pain of death,
Num 18:7. And the priests must
keep the charge of the sanctuary (
Num 18:5), must instruct the people, and admonish them concerning the due distance they were to keep, and not suffer them to break the bounds set them, as Korah's company had done, that there be
no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. Note, The preventing of sin is the preventing of wrath; and the mischief sin has done should be a warning to us for the future to watch against it both in ourselves and others.
8 The priest's service is called a
warfare; and who goes a warfare at his own charges? As they were well employed, so they were well provided for, and well paid. None shall serve God for nought. All believers are spiritual priests, and God has promised to take care of them; they shall
dwell in the land, and
verily they shall be fed, and shall not
want any good thing. Godliness has the
promise of the life that now is. And from this plentiful provision here made for the priests the apostle infers that it is the duty of Christian churches to maintain their ministers; those that
served at the altar lived upon the altar. So those that preach the gospel should
live upon the gospel, and live comfortably,
1Cor 9:13,
1Cor 9:14. Scandalous maintenance makes scandalous ministers. Now observe, 1. That much of the provision that was made for them arose out of the sacrifices which they themselves were employed to offer. They had the skins of almost all the sacrifices, which they might sell, and they had a considerable share out of the meat-offerings, sin-offerings, etc. Those that had the charge of the offerings had the benefit,
Num 18:8. Note, God's work is its own wages, and his service carries its recompence along with it. Even in keeping God's commandments there is great reward. The present pleasures of religion are part of its pay. 2. That they had not only a good table kept for them, but money likewise in their pockets for the redemption of the first-born, and those firstlings of cattle which might not be offered in sacrifice. Thus their maintenance was such as left them altogether
disentangled from the affairs of this life; they had no grounds to occupy, no land to till, no vineyards to dress, no cattle to tend, no visible estate to take care of, and yet had a more plentiful income than any other families whatsoever. Thus God ordered it that they might be the more entirely addicted to their ministry, and not diverted from it, nor disturbed in it, by any worldly care or business (the ministry requires a whole man); and that they might be examples of living by faith, not only in God's providence, but in his ordinance. They lived from hand to mouth, that they might learn to take no thought for the morrow; sufficient for the day would be the provision thereof: and they had no estates to leave their children, that they might by faith leave their children, that they might by faith leave them to the care of that God who had
fed them all their lives long. 3. Of the provision that was made for their tables some is said to be
most holy (
Num 18:9,
Num 18:10), which was to be eaten by the priests themselves, and in the court of the tabernacle only; but other perquisites were less holy, of which their families might eat, at their own houses, provided they were clean,
Num 18:11-
Num 18:13. See
Lev 21:10, etc. 4. It is commanded that the
best of the oil, and
the best of the wine and wheat, should be offered for the
first-fruits unto the Lord, which the priest were to have,
Num 18:12. Note, We must always serve and honour God with the best we have, for he is the best, and best deserves it; he is the first, and therefore must have the first ripe. Those that think to save charges by putting God off with the refuse do but deceive themselves, for
God is not mocked. 5. All this is given to the priests
by reason of the anointing, Num 18:8. It was not for the sake of their personal merits above other Israelites that they had these tributes paid to them, be it known unto them; but purely for the sake of the office to which they were anointed. Thus all the comforts that are given to the Lord's people are given them by reason of the anointing which they have received. It is said to be given them
by an ordinance for ever (
Num 18:8), and it is a
covenant of salt for ever, Num 18:19. As long as the priesthood should continue this should continue to be the maintenance of it, that this lamp might not go out for want of oil to keep it burning. Thus provision is made that a gospel ministry should continue till Christ comes, by an ordinance for ever.
Lo, I am with you (that is their maintenance and support)
always, even to the end of the world. Thanks be to the Redeemer, it is the word which he has
commanded to a thousand generations. 20 Here is a further account of the provision that was made both for the Levites and for the priests, out of the country.
I. They must have
no inheritance in the land; only cities to dwell in were afterwards allowed them, but no ground to occupy:
Thou shalt not have any part among them, Num 18:20. It is repeated again
Num 18:23, and again
Num 18:24,
Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance, either by purchase or descent. God would have them comfortably provided for, but would not have their families over-rich, lest they should think themselves above that work which their wages supposed and obliged them constantly to attend upon. As Israel was a peculiar people, and not to be numbered among the nations, so Levi was a peculiar tribe, and not to be settled as the rest of the tribes, but in all respects distinguished from them. A good reason is given why they must have
no inheritance in the land, for, says God,
I am thy part, and thy inheritance. Note, Those that have God for their inheritance and their portion for ever ought to look with a holy contempt and indifference upon the inheritances of this world, and not covet their portion in it.
The Lord is my portion, therefore will I hope in him, and not depend upon any thing I have on this earth,
Lam 3:24. The Levites shall have no inheritance, and yet they shall live very comfortably and plentifully - to teach us that Providence has various ways of supporting those that live in a dependence upon it; the fowls reap not, and yet are fed, the lilies spin not, and yet are clothed, the Levites have no inheritance in Israel, and yet live better than any other tribe. The repetition of that caution, that
no Israelite should approach the tabernacle, comes in suitable, though somewhat abruptly,
Num 18:22. It seems set in opposition to that order concerning the priests and Levites that they should have
no inheritance in Israel, to show how God dispenses his favours variously. The Levites have the honour of attending the tabernacle, which is denied the Israelites; but then the Israelites have the honour of inheritances in Canaan, which is denied the Levites; thus each is kept from either envying or despising the other, and both have reason to rejoice in their lot. The Israelites must not
come nigh the tabernacle, but then the Levites must have
no inheritance in the land; if ministers expect that people should keep in their sphere, and not intermeddle with sacred offices, let them keep in theirs, and not entangle themselves in secular affairs.
II. But they must both have tithes of the land. Besides the first-fruits which were appropriated to the priests, which, the Jews say, were to be a fiftieth part, or at least a sixtieth, the tithe also was appropriated. 1. The Levites had the tithes of the people's increase (
Num 18:21):
I have given (whose the whole is)
all the tenths in Israel, of all the productions of the land, to
the children of Levi, to be divided among them in just proportions,
for their service which they serve. The Levites were the smallest tribe of the twelve, and yet, besides all other advantages, they had a tenth part of the yearly profits, without the trouble and expense of ploughing and sowing; such care did God take of those that were devoted to his service; not only that they might be well maintained, but that they might be honoured with a national acknowledgment of the good services they did to the public, and owned as God's agents and receivers; for that which was a heave-offering, or an offering lifted heavenward unto the Lord, was by him consigned to the Levites. 2. The priests had the tenths of the Levites' tithes settled upon them. The order for this Moses is directed to give to the Levites, whom God would have to pay it with cheerfulness, rather than the priests to demand it with authority:
Speak to the Levites that it be
offered by them, rather than levied upon them. Now observe, (1.) The Levites were to give God his dues out of their tithes, as well as the Israelites out of their increase. They were God's tenants, and rent was expected from them, nor were they exempted by their office. Thus now, ministers must be charitable out of what they receive; and the more freely they have received the more freely they must give, and be examples of liberality.
You shall offer a heave-offering to the Lord, Num 18:26. Those that are employed to assist the devotions of others must be sure to pay their own, as a heave-offering to the Lord. Prayers and praises lifted up to God, or rather the heart lifted up in them, are now our heave-offerings. This (says God) shall be
reckoned to you as though it were the corn of the threshing-floor; that is, though it was not the fruit of their ground, nor of their own labour, as the tithes of other Israelites were, yet being of such as they had it should be accepted, to the sanctifying of all the rest. (2.) This was to be given
to Aaron the priest (
Num 18:28), and to his successors the high priests, to be divided and disposed of in such proportions as they should think fit among the inferior priests. Most of the profits of the priests' office, which were appointed in the former part of the chapter, arising from the sacrifices, those priests had the benefit of who constantly attended at the altar; but, forasmuch as there were many priests employed in the country to teach and rule, those tithes taken by the Levites, it is probable, were directed by the high priest for their maintenance. It is the probable conjecture of the learned bishop Patrick that the tenth of this last tenth was reserved for the high priest himself, to support his state and dignity; for otherwise we read not of any peculiar provision made for him. (3.) When the Levites had thus paid the tenth of their income, as a heave-offering to the Lord, they had themselves the comfortable enjoyment of the other nine parts (
Num 18:30): When you have thus
heaved the best from it (for still God's part must be the best) then you shall
eat the rest, not as a holy thing, but with the same freedom that the other Israelites eat their part with,
in every place, you and your households, Num 18:31. See here what is the way to have the comfort of all our worldly possessions so as to bear no sin by reason of them, as it follows,
Num 18:32. [1.] We must be sure that what we have be got honestly and in the service of God. It is
your reward for your service; that meat is the best eating that is first earned; but, if any
will not work, neither shall he eat, 2Thes 3:10. And that seems to be spoken of as having a particular comfort and satisfaction in it which is the reward of faithful service done in the tabernacle of the congregation. [2.] We must be sure that God has his dues out of it. Then we have the comfort of our substance when we have honoured the Lord with it. The
you shall bear no sin by reason of it, when
you have heaved the best from it. This intimates that we must never feed ourselves without fear, lest our table become a snare, and we bear sin by reason of it; and that therefore we are concerned to
give alms of such things as we have, that all may be clean and comfortable to us.
