Numbers 4:10

4:10 Then they must put it with all its utensils in a covering of fine leather, and put it on a carrying beam. ¹ 

Numbers 8:10

8:10 Then you are to bring the Levites before the Lord, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on the Levites; ² 

Numbers 14:5

14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell down with their faces to the ground ³  before the whole assembled community ⁴  of the Israelites.

Numbers 16:45

16:45 “Get away from this community, so that I can consume them in an instant!” But they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground. ⁵ 

Numbers 27:23

27:23 He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the Lord commanded, ⁶  by the authority ⁷  of Moses.

Numbers 31:2

31:2 “Exact vengeance ⁸  for the Israelites on the Midianites ⁹  – after that you will be gathered to your people.” ¹⁰ 

Numbers 35:14

35:14 “You must give three towns on this side of the Jordan, and you must give three towns in the land of Canaan; they must be towns of refuge.

¹ tn The “pole” or “bar” (מוֹט, mot) is of a different style than the poles used for transporting the ark. It seems to be a flexible bar carried by two men with the implements being transported tied to the bar. The NEB suggests the items were put in a bag and slung over the bar, but there is no indication of the manner.

² sn The consecration ceremony was to be done in full view of the assembled people. In all probability the laying on of the hands was done through representatives of the tribes, and not all the people. This ritual of the imposition of hands showed that the people were taking part in the consecration, and that the Levites represented them in the service of the Lord.

³ sn This action of Moses and Aaron is typical of them in the wilderness with the Israelites. The act shows self-abasement and deference before the sovereign Lord. They are not bowing before the people here, but in front of the people they bow before God. According to Num 17:6-15 this prostration is for the purpose of intercessory prayer. Here it prevents immediate wrath from God.

⁴ tn Heb “before all the assembly of the congregation.”

⁴ tn Heb “they fell on their faces.”

⁵ tn Heb “spoke.”

⁶ tn Heb “hand.”

⁶ 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.

⁷ 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.

⁸ 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.