Numbers 2:24

2:24 All those numbered of the camp of Ephraim, according to their divisions, are 108,100. They will travel third.

Numbers 3:9

3:9 You are to assign ¹  the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they will be assigned exclusively ²  to him out of all ³  the Israelites.

Numbers 3:49

3:49 So Moses took the redemption money ⁴  from those who were in excess of those redeemed by the Levites.

Numbers 16:35

16:35 Then a fire ⁵  went out from the Lord and devoured the 250 men who offered incense.

Numbers 31:2

31:2 “Exact vengeance ⁶  for the Israelites on the Midianites ⁷  – after that you will be gathered to your people.” ⁸ 

¹ tn The verb וְנָתַתָּה (vÿnatattah) is normally “give.” Here, though, the context refers to the assignment of the Levites to the priests for their duties. The form is the perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive, continuing the sequence for the imperfect of instruction.

² tn This emphasis is derived from the simple repetition of the passive participle, נְתוּנִם נְתוּנִם (nÿtunim nÿtunim). See GKC 396 §123.e. The forms serve as the predicate with the subject pronoun.

³ tn The Hebrew text simply has the preposition, “from the Israelites.”

¹ sn The word used is “silver.” Coins were not in existence until after 700 b.c. (starting with Lydia).

¹ tn For a discussion of the fire of the Lord, see J. C. H. Laughlin, “The Strange Fire of Nadab and Abihu,” JBL 95 (1976): 559-65.

¹ tn The imperative is followed by its cognate accusative to stress this vengeance. The Midianites had attempted to destroy Israel with their corrupt pagan practices, and now will be judged. The accounts indicate that the effort by Midian was calculated and evil.

² sn The war was commanded by the Lord and was to be divine vengeance on the Midianites. So it was holy war. No Israelites then could take spoils in this – it was not a time for plunder and aggrandizement. It was part of the judgment of God upon those who would destroy or pervert his plan and his people.

³ sn This would be the last major enterprise that Moses would have to undertake. He would soon die and “be gathered to his people” as Aaron was.