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Reading Plan · Day 41

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Numbers 7-9

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Previously · Day 40 · Numbers 4-6

The previous day's reading documented the roles and responsibilities for the sons of Aaron. Also, the procedure for dealing with lepers, the "trial of jealousy," and the Nazirite vows were covered.

Day 41 Read

Where You Stopped

Numbers 7

Commentary · verses 1-89

This chapter recorded the offerings of dedication of the tabernacle, the gifts of the twelve tribes.

1And it came to pass on the day that Moses had made an end of setting up the tabernacle, and had anointed it and sanctified it, and all the furniture thereof, and the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them and sanctified them;

1And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;

Commentary · verse 1

Moses fully set up the tabernacle.

2that the princes of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, offered. These were the princes of the tribes, these are they that were over them that were numbered: 3and they brought their oblation before Jehovah, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for every two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they presented them before the tabernacle.

2That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered:

3And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle.

Commentary · verses 2-3

The twelve princes of Israel brought their offering to God that consisted of six wagons and twelve oxen.

4And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 5Take it of them, that they may be used in doing the service of the tent of meeting; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.

6And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites.

4And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

5Take it of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.

6And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites.

Commentary · verses 4-6

The wagons and oxen were given to the Levites.

7Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service: 8and four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

9But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none, because the service of the sanctuary belonged unto them; they bare it upon their shoulders.

7Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service:

8And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

9But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders.

Commentary · verses 7-9

The sons of Gershon and Merari (both sons of Levi) were given the wagons and oxen. The sons of Kohath (also a son of Levi) were given none because their work consisted of them carrying items of the tabernacle. They did not need wagons or oxen to do their work.

10And the princes offered for the dedication of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their oblation before the altar.

11And Jehovah said unto Moses, They shall offer their oblation, each prince on his day, for the dedication of the altar.

10And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar.

11And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.

Commentary · verses 12-88

Verses 12-88: the giving of the dedication offerings over twelve days. The twelve princes of Israel brought the offerings for the dedication of the altar on separate days.

12And he that offered his oblation the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah: 13and his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 14one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; 15one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; 16one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 17and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

12And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah:

13And his offering was one silver charger, the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

14One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense:

15One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

16One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

17And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

Commentary · verse 17

The first day's offering, which was of the tribe of Judah.

18On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer: 19he offered for his oblation one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 20one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; 21one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; 22one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 23and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Nethanel the son of Zuar.

18On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer:

19He offered for his offering one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

20One spoon of gold of ten shekels, full of incense:

21One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

22One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

23And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nethaneel the son of Zuar.

Commentary · verse 23

The second day's offering, which was of the tribe of Issachar.

24On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun: 25his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 26one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; 27one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; 28one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 29and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Eliab the son of Helon.

24On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun, did offer:

25His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

26One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

27One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

28One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

29And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.

Commentary · verse 29

The third day's offering, which was of the tribe of Zebulun. This followed the order of the tribes during their travels.

30On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben: 31his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 32one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; 33one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; 34one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 35and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Elizur the son of Shedeur.

30On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben, did offer:

31His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

32One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

33One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

34One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

35And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.

Commentary · verse 35

The fourth day's offering, which was of the tribe of Reuben.

36On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon: 37his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 38one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; 39one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; 40one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 41and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

36On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon, did offer:

37His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

38One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

39One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

40One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

41And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

Commentary · verse 41

The fifth day's offering, which was of the tribe of Simeon.

42On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad: 43his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 44one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; 45one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; 46one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 47and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

42On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, offered:

43His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, a silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

44One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

45One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

46One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

47And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

Commentary · verse 47

The sixth day's offering, which was of the tribe of Gad. The order of traveling continued to be followed with these southern tribes. With the travels, the Levites would have been next. However, these offerings were given to the Levites.

48On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim: 49his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 50one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; 51one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; 52one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 53and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Elishama the son of Ammihud.

48On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, offered:

49His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

50One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

51One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

52One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

53And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.

Commentary · verse 53

The seventh day's offering, which was of the tribe of Ephraim (of Joseph).

54On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh: 55his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 56one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; 57one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; 58one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 59and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

54On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:

55His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

56One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

57One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

58One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

59And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

Commentary · verse 59

The eighth day's offering, which was of the tribe of Manasseh (of Joseph).

60On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin: 61his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 62one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; 63one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; 64one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 65and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Abidan the son of Gideoni.

60On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered:

61His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

62One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

63One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

64One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

65And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.

Commentary · verse 65

The ninth day's offering, which was of the tribe of Benjamin. The order of traveling was followed with these tribes of the west.

66On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan: 67his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 68one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; 69one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; 70one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 71and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

66On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, offered:

67His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

68One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

69One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

70One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

71And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

Commentary · verse 71

The tenth day's offering, which was of the tribe of Dan.

72On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ochran, prince of the children of Asher: 73his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 74one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; 75one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; 76one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 77and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Pagiel the son of Ochran.

72On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, prince of the children of Asher, offered:

73His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

74One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

75One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

76One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

77And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ocran.

Commentary · verse 77

The eleventh day's offering, which was of the tribe of Asher.

78On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali: 79his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 80one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; 81one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; 82one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 83and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Ahira the son of Enan.

78On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, offered:

79His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

80One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

81One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

82One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

83And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.

Commentary · verse 83

The twelfth day's offering, which was of the tribe of Naphtali. The order of the offerings followed the order of traveling.

84This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, twelve golden spoons; 85each silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and each bowl seventy; all the silver of the vessels two thousand and four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary;

84This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:

85Each charger of silver weighing an hundred and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy: all the silver vessels weighed two thousand and four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

Commentary · verse 85

Each silver platter weighed about 3¼ pounds and each silver bowl about 1¾ pounds. The total weight of the silver was approximately 60 pounds.

86the twelve golden spoons, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the spoons a hundred and twenty shekels;

86The golden spoons were twelve, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary: all the gold of the spoons was an hundred and twenty shekels.

Commentary · verse 86

The gold of the spoons was about three pounds worth.

87all the oxen for the burnt-offering twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the he-lambs a year old twelve, and their meal-offering; and the males of the goats for a sin-offering twelve; 88and all the oxen for the sacrifice of peace-offerings twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he-goats sixty, the he-lambs a year old sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed.

89And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with him, then he heard the Voice speaking unto him from above the mercy-seat that was upon the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim: and he spake unto him.

87All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the lambs of the first year twelve, with their meat offering: and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve.

88And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed.

89And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.

Commentary · verse 89

God spoke to Moses from above the mercy-seat.

Where You Stopped

Numbers 8

Commentary · verses 1-4

Verses 1-4: the lighting of the lamps.

1And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 2Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the candlestick.

3And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof so as to give light in front of the candlestick, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

4And this was the work of the candlestick, beaten work of gold; unto the base thereof, and unto the flowers thereof, it was beaten work: according unto the pattern which Jehovah had showed Moses, so he made the candlestick.

1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.

3And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.

4And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.

Commentary · verses 5-26

Verses 5-26: the cleansing and dedication of the Levites.

5And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 6Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.

5And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

6Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.

Commentary · verse 6

The Levites were taken from the Israelites.

7And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of expiation upon them, and let them cause a razor to pass over all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.

7And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.

Commentary · verse 7

This had the same symbolism as baptism: death of the old physically unclean and rebirth of the new spiritually clean. The word "expiation" meant "purify; atone; make amends for."

8Then let them take a young bullock, and its meal-offering, fine flour mingled with oil; and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin-offering.

9And thou shalt present the Levites before the tent of meeting: and thou shalt assemble the whole congregation of the children of Israel: 10and thou shalt present the Levites before Jehovah. And the children of Israel shall lay their hands upon the Levites:

8Then let them take a young bullock with his meat offering, even fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin offering.

9And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together:

10And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites:

Commentary · verse 10

The whole assembly of the children of Israel were gathered and the Israelites laid their hands upon them.

11and 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.

12And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and offer thou the one for a sin-offering, and the other for a burnt-offering, unto Jehovah, to make atonement for the Levites.

13And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them for a wave-offering unto Jehovah.

14Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine.

11And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD.

12And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, unto the LORD, to make an atonement for the Levites.

13And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them for an offering unto the LORD.

14Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.

Commentary · verse 14

The Levites belonged to God…

15And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tent of meeting: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for a wave-offering.

16For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of all that openeth the womb, even the first-born of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.

17For all the first-born among the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.

18And I have taken the Levites instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel.

15And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering.

16For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.

17For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.

18And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel.

Commentary · verse 18

…instead of the firstborn.

19And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tent of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel; that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.

20Thus did Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the Levites: according unto all that Jehovah commanded Moses touching the Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them.

21And the Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their clothes: and Aaron offered them for a wave-offering before Jehovah; and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.

22And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron, and before his sons: as Jehovah had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.

19And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.

20And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them.

21And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.

22And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.

Commentary · verse 22

The Levites began to do their work.

23And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 24This is that which belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service in the work of the tent of meeting: 25and from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the work, and shall serve no more, 26but shall minister with their brethren in the tent of meeting, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charges.

23And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

24This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation:

25And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more:

26But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.

Commentary · verse 26

God told Moses that the Levites from twenty-five to fifty years old will wait upon the service of the tabernacle. Wait in these verses meant "to go forth." In the KJV, verse 25 used the term "warfare of service." We saw the rest of the tribes were numbered for physical warfare. Here, God said the Levites were His. They were not numbered among those who went to war physically, however, God considered their time serving in the tent of meeting between the ages of twenty-five to fifty years old as "warfare of service." Once they passed the age of fifty years old, they did not participate in the warfare of service, but instead served those who did the warfare of service. Notice, those who were past fifty years old were no longer in leadership positions, they actually helped develop the leaders. God's way of leadership was the "dad" led the warfare, while the "grandpa" developed the "grandson." However, man's way is for the oldest to continue to lead up until the day of their death, which does not allow for the replacement to be trained by someone with leadership experience.

Where You Stopped

Numbers 9

Commentary · verses 1-5

Verses 1-5: the first Passover in the wilderness.

1And Jehovah spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2Moreover let the children of Israel keep the passover in its appointed season.

1And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

2Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season.

Commentary · verse 2

God spoke to Moses about letting the Israelites keep ("to do; accomplish") the Passover.

3In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in its appointed season: according to all the statutes of it, and according to all the ordinances thereof, shall ye keep it.

4And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.

5And they kept the passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at even, in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that Jehovah commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.

3In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.

4And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.

5And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.

Commentary · verse 5

The people kept the Passover as God commanded.

Commentary · verses 6-14

Verses 6-14: the case of the unclean men.

6And there were certain men, who were unclean by reason of the dead body of a man, so that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day: 7and those men said unto him, We are unclean by reason of the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer the oblation of Jehovah in its appointed season among the children of Israel?

8And Moses said unto them, Stay ye, that I may hear what Jehovah will command concerning you.

9And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 10Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your generations shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be on a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto Jehovah.

6And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:

7And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel?

8And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you.

9And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

10Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD.

Commentary · verse 10

Anyone unclean or on a far journey should still keep the Passover.

11In the second month on the fourteenth day at even they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs: 12they shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break a bone thereof: according to all the statute of the passover they shall keep it.

13But the man that is clean, and is not on a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people; because he offered not the oblation of Jehovah in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.

14And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto Jehovah; according to the statute of the passover, and according to the ordinance thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one statute, both for the sojourner, and for him that is born in the land.

11The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

12They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.

13But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.

14And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.

Commentary · verse 14

They were supposed to let strangers keep the Passover. Again, the purpose of the Dispensation of the Law was for Israel to be an example to all people. A person did not have to be an Israelite in order to follow the Law, God wanted this for all people during this dispensation.

Commentary · verses 15-23

Verses 15-23: God's method of guiding the Israelites.

15And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, even the tent of the testimony: and at even it was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until morning.

15And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.

Commentary · verse 15

At evening, there appeared fire on the tabernacle.

16So it was alway: the cloud covered it, and the appearance of fire by night.

16So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.

Commentary · verse 16

A cloud covered the tabernacle by day and fire by night. God was very present with them.

17And whenever the cloud was taken up from over the Tent, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel encamped.

18At the commandment of Jehovah the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of Jehovah they encamped: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they remained encamped.

17And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.

18At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.

Commentary · verse 18

When the cloud was taken up, the Israelites journeyed. When the cloud abode on the tabernacle, the Israelites rested in their tents.

19And when the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of Jehovah, and journeyed not.

20And sometimes the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; then according to the commandment of Jehovah they remained encamped, and according to the commandment of Jehovah they journeyed.

21And sometimes the cloud was from evening until morning; and when the cloud was taken up in the morning, they journeyed: or if it continued by day and by night, when the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.

22Whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, abiding thereon, the children of Israel remained encamped, and journeyed not; but when it was taken up, they journeyed.

23At the commandment of Jehovah they encamped, and at the commandment of Jehovah they journeyed: they kept the charge of Jehovah, at the commandment of Jehovah by Moses.

19And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.

20And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.

21And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.

22Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.

23At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

Commentary · verse 23

Regardless of whether the cloud rested a long time or a little time, Israel was supposed to follow the cloud. There was no predictable pattern to the movement of the cloud, which was like the Holy Spirit.

This day's reading completed the first part of the Book of Numbers: numbering of Israel and preparations for their journey to the Promised Land. It covered the Israelites beginning to use the tabernacle: offerings of dedication of the tabernacle, preparation of the levitical priests, and God's instructions for the operation of the tabernacle.

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