Page:Keil and Delitzsch,Biblical commentary the old testament the pentateuch, trad James Martin, volume 1, 1885.djvu/1055



verses 21-26
Num 4:21-26 The service of the Gershonites is introduced in Num 4:21-23 in the same manner as that of the Kohathites in Num 4:1-3; and in Num 4:24-26 it is described in accordance with the brief notice and explanation already given in Num 3:24-26.

Verse 27
Their service was to be performed “according to the mouth (i.e., according to the appointment) of Aaron and his sons, with regard to all their carrying (all that they were to carry), and all their doing.” - “And ye (the priests) shall appoint to them for attendance (in charge) all their carrying,” i.e., all the things they were to carry. בּמשׁמרת פּקד, to give into keeping. The combination of פּקד with בּ and the accusative of the object is analogous to בּ נתן, to give into a persons' hand, in Gen 27:17; and there is no satisfactory reason for any such emendations of the text as Knobel proposes.

Verse 28
“Their charge (mishmereth) is in the hand of Ithamar,” i.e., is to be carried out under his superintendence (cf. Exo 38:21).

verses 29-30
Num 4:29-30 Service of the Merarites. - Num 4:29 and Num 4:30, like Num 4:22 and Num 4:23. פּקד, to muster, i.e., to number, equivalent to ראשׁ נשׁא, to take the number.

verses 31-32
Num 4:31 and Num 4:32, like Num 3:36 and Num 3:37. “The charge of their burden” (their carrying), i.e., the things which it was their duty to carry.

verses 32-33
Num 4:32-33 לכל־כּליהם: with regard to all their instruments, i.e., all the things used for setting up, fastening, or undoing the beams, bolts, etc.; see Num 3:36 and Exo 27:19.

verses 34-48
Completion of the prescribed mustering, and statement of the number of men qualified for service in the three Levitical families: viz., 2750 Kohathites, 2630 Gershonites, and 3200 Merarites - in all, 8580 Levites fit for service: a number which bears a just proportion to the total number of male Levites of a month old and upwards, viz., 22,000.

Verse 49
“According to the commandment of Jehovah, they appointed them through the hand of Moses (i.e., under his direction), each one