Numbers 16:1
Korah <07141> [Korah.]
son ..... son ..... son ......... sons ...... son ...... Reubenites <01121 07205> [sons of Reuben.]
took <03947> [took men.]
As the word men is not in the text, some read "took counsel;" and some "took courage." Houbigant renders {yikkach, rebellionem fecerunt,} "they rebelled;" which scarcely any rule of criticism can ever justify. Dr. Geddes' translation is, "Another insurrection was raised against Moses by Korah," etc. Others think that it may mean, "behaved with insolence." But, as Dr. A. Clarke observes, the verb {wyyikkach,} "and he took" which though at the end of the sentence in English, is the first word in Hebrew, is not in the plural, but the singular; and hence cannot be applied to the acts of all these chiefs. In every part of the Scripture, where this rebellion is referred to, it is attributed to Korah, therefore the verb here belongs to him; and the whole verse should be translated, "Now Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, he took even Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, son of Peleth, son of Reuben, and they rose up," etc.; reading, with some MSS., the Samaritan, and Septuagint, {ben,} son, instead of {beney,} sons.
Numbers 2:1-34
one <0376> [Every man.]
The Israelites, it appears, encamped in four grand divisions, with the tabernacle in the centre; though at some distance from it. The form of the camp was quadrangular, containing, according to Scheuchzer, a little more than twelve square miles. Under each of the four divisions, three tribes were placed, under one general standard. Between these four great camps and the tabernacle, were pitched four smaller camps of the priests and Levites, who were in immediate attendance upon it; the camp of Moses, and of Aaron and his sons, being on the east side of the tabernacle, where the entrance was. Judah was placed on the east, and under him he had Issachar and Zebulun; on the south was Reuben, and under him Simeon and Gad; on the west was Ephraim, and under him Manasseh and Benjamin; and Dan was on the north, and under him Asher and Naphtali. Every tribe had its particular standard, probably with the name of the tribe embroidered with large letters. It seems highly improbable that the figures of animals should have been painted on them, as the Jewish writers assert; for even in after ages, when Vitellius wished to march through Judea, their great men besought him to march another way, as the law of the land did not permit images (such as were on the Roman standard) to be brought into it. Josephus Ant. 1. xviii. c. 7.
camp ......... meeting <02583> [shall pitch.]
emblems <0226> [the ensign.]
some distance <05048> [far off. Heb. over against.]
around ... tent <05439 0168> [about the.]
standard <01714> [the standard.]
Nahshon <05177> [Nahshon.]
[Naasson.]
front <07223> [These shall.]
camp ... Reuben ........... Reuben <07205 04264> [camp of Reuben.]
Elizur <0468> [Elizur.]
Shelumiel <08017> [Shelumiel.]
Eliasaph <0460> [Eliasaph.]
people ...... son <01121> [Son of Deuel.]
151,450 <03967> [an hundred.]
travel <05265> [they shall.]
tent <0168> [tabernacle.]
camp ... Ephraim ........... Ephraim <0669 04264> [camp of Ephraim.]
Elishama <0476> [Elishama.]
Gamaliel <01583> [Gamaliel.]
Abidan <027> [Abidan.]
108,100 <03967> [an hundred.]
108,100 .... travel <08083 03967 05265> [And.]
Ahiezer <0295> [Ahiezer.]
Pagiel <06295> [Pagiel.]
41,500 <0705> [forty.]
Reyher, who is followed by Scheuchzer, assigns the following space to the soldiers of each of the tribes, whilst remaining close to each other in their ranks, allowing one square cubit to each; but if we take in the arrangement, not only the soldiers, but the tents, the families, etc., a much larger extent of ground is requisite: Tribe of Judah. Tribe of Manasseh. Breadth 298 3/5 cubits Breadth 161 cubits Length 250 Length 200 ------ ------ Total 74,600 Total 32,200 Tribe of Issachar. Tribe of Simeon. Breadth 217 3/5 cubits Breadth 182 6/13 cubits Length 250 Length 325 ------ ------ Total 54,400 Total 59,300 Tribe of Gad. Tribe of Benjamin. Breadth 140 5/11 cubits Breadth 177 cubits Length 325 Length 200 ------ ------ Total 45,650 Total 35,400 Tribe of Zebulun. Tribe of Dan. Breadth 229 3/4 cubits Breadth 156 3/4 cubits Length 250 Length 400 ------ ------ Total 57,400 Total 62,700 Tribe of Ephraim. Tribe of Asher. Breadth 202 1/2 cubits Breadth 103 3/4 cubits Length 200 Length 400 ------ ------ Total 40,500 Total 41,500 Tribe of Reuben. Tribe of Naphtali. Breadth 143 1/5 cubits Breadth 133 1/2 cubits Length 325 Length 400 ------ ------ Total 46,500 Total 53,400
tribe <04294> [the tribe.]
Ahira <0299> [Ahira.]
157,600 <03967> [an hundred.]
numbered ........... travel <06485 05265> [They.]
Lord ......................... family <03068 01004> [according.]
camped ........... traveled <02583 05265> [so they.]
Numbers 7:1-89
completed <03615> [had fully.]
anointed .... consecrated ......... anointed ... consecrated <04886 06942> [anointed it.]
consecrated ........... consecrated <06942> [sanctified them.]
leaders ............... leaders <05387> [the princes.]
ones ..... supervising <05975> [and were over, etc. Heb. who stood. offered.]
covered <06632> [covered waggons.]
The Hebrew {egloth tzav,} signifies "tilted wagons;" so LXX. [hamaxas lamp‚nikas,] with which the Coptic agrees. These were given for the more convenient exporting of the heavier parts of the tabernacle.
Receive .......... used <03947 05647> [Take it.]
give ..... Levites <05414 03881> [give them. i.e. distribute them among the Levites as they need them; giving most to those who have the heaviest burdens to bear.]
two carts <08147 05699> [Two wagons.]
Gershonites <01648 01121> [sons of Gershon.]
The Gershonites being fewest in number of able men, had the less burdensome things to carry; for they carried only the curtains, coverings, and hangings, (ch. 4:25, 40.) And although this was a cumbersome carriage, and they needed waggons, yet it was not a heavy one, and they needed few.
four carts <05699 0702> [four wagons.]
Merarites ........... son <01121> [the sons.]
Though the Merarites were the most numerous, yet they had the greatest burden, namely, the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets, to carry, (ch. 4:31, 32, 48.) Therefore they had double the number of waggons to what the Gershonites had assigned them.
Kohathites <01121> [unto the.]
Because they had the charge of the ark, table, candlestick, altars, etc. (ch. 4:4-15,) which were to be carried upon their shoulders: for those sacred things must not be drawn by beasts.
service <05656> [because.]
leaders ................ leaders <05387> [princes.]
Every prince, or chief, offered in the behalf, and doubtless at the expense, of his whole tribe.
dedication <02598> [dedicating.]
[Naasson.]
platter <07086> [charger.]
shekels ....... shekel <08255> [the shekel.]
grain offering <04503> [a meat offering.]
pan <03709> [spoon.]
incense <07004> [incense.]
peace offerings <08002> [peace.]
offering <07133> [this was the offering.]
It is worthy of remark, that the different tribes are represented here as bringing their offerings precisely in the same order in which they encamped about the tabernacle, (see ch. 2; 10;) beginning at the East, then proceeding to the South, then to the West, and ending with the North, according to the course of the sun. Their order may be thus viewed: East. 1. Judah: Nahshon. 2. Issachar: Nathaneel. 3. Zebulun: Eliab. South. 4. Reuben: Elizur. 5. Simeon: Shelumiel. 6. Gad: Eliasaph. West. 7. Ephraim: Elishama. 8. Manasseh: Gamaliel. 9. Benjamin: Abidan. North. 10. Dan: Ahiezer. 11. Asher: Pagiel. 12. Naphtali: Ahira. Thus God evinces that he "is not the author of confusion, but of peace." (1 Co 14:33.) It is also worthy of remark, that every tribe offers the same kind of offering, and in the same quantity, to shew, that as every tribe was equally indebted to God for its support, so each should testify an equal sense of obligation. Besides, the vessels were all sacrificial vessels, and the animals were all clean animals, such as were proper for sacrifices; and therefore everything was intended to point out, that the people were to be a holy people, fully dedicated to God, and that God was to dwell among them. Thus, as the priests, altar, etc. were anointed, and the tabernacle dedicated, so the people, by this offering, became consecrated to God. Therefore every act here was a religious act.
offering .................................... grain offering <07133 04503> [offering.]
platter <07086> [charger.]
{K„ƒrah,} in Arabic, {kÆ’ran,} from {kÂÆ’ra,} to be deep, a large deep dish or bowl. It appears by the metal of which this charger and bowl were made, that they were for the use of the altar of burnt offerings in the outer court; for all the vessels of the sanctuary were of gold. It was probably used for receiving the flesh of the sacrifices upon which the priests feasted, or the fine flour for the meat offerings.
sprinkling bowl <04219> [Bowl.]
{Mizrak,} from {zarak,} to sprinkle, a bowl or bason, used in sprinkling the blood of the sacrifice. (Ex 27:23.)
pan <03709> [spoon.]
{Kaph,} in Syriac, {kaphtho,} a pan or censer, on which the incense was put. Both the metal of which it was made, and that which it contained, shew that it was for the use of the golden altar in the sanctuary.
incense <07004> [incense.]
sacrifice <02077> [And for a sacrifice.]
These sacrifices were more numerous than the burnt offering or the sin offering; because the priests, the princes, and as many of the people as they invited, had a share of them, and feasted, with great rejoicing, before the Lord. This custom, as Mr. Shelden observes, seems to have been imitated by the heathen, who dedicated their altars, temples, statues, etc., with much ceremony.
son <01121> [Son of Reuel.]
offering .................................... grain offering <07133 04503> [offering.]
mixed ... olive oil <01101 08081> [mingled with oil.]
seventh <07637> [On the seventh.]
Both Jewish and Christian writers have been surprised that this work of offering went forward on the seventh day (which they suppose to have been a sabbath), as well as on the other days. But, 1. there is no absolute proof that this seventh day of offering was a sabbath. 2. Were it even so, could the people be better employed than in thus consecrating themselves and their services to the Lord? We have already seen that every act was a religious act; and we may rest assured, that no day was too holy for the performance of such acts as are here recorded. Here it may be observed, that Moses has thought fit to set down distinctly, and at full length, the offerings of the princes of each tribe, though, as we have already observed, they were the very same, both in quantity and quality, that an honourable mention might be made of every one apart, and that none might think himself in the least neglected.
Elishama <0476> [Elishama.]
Whether there were any prayers made for the gracious acceptance of the sacrifices which should be hereafter offered on the altar, we are not informed; but the sacrifices themselves were of the nature of supplications, and it is probable, that they who offered them, made humble petitions along with them.
tenth day <06224 03117> [On the tenth day.]
When the twelve days of the dedication commenced cannot be easily determined; but the computation of F. Scacchus seems highly probable. He supposes, that the tabernacle being erected the first day of the first month of the second year after the departure from Egypt, seven days were spent in the consecration of it, and the altar, etc.; and that on the eight day, Moses began to consecrate Aaron and his sons, which lasted seven days more. Then, on the fourteenth day of that month, was the feast day of unleavened bread; which God commanded to be observed in the first month (ch. 9), and which lasted till the 22nd. The rest of the month, we may well suppose, was spent in giving, receiving, and delivering the laws contained in the book of Leviticus; after which, on the first day of the second month, Moses began to number the people, according to the command in the beginning of this book; which may be supposed to have lasted three days. On the fourth, the Levites were numbered; on the next day we may suppose they were offered to God, and given to the Priests; and on the sixth, they were expiated and consecrated, as we read in the following chapter. On the seventh day, their several charges were assigned them, (ch. 4;) after which, he supposes the princes began to offer, on the eight day of the second month, for the dedication of the altar, which lasted till the nineteenth day inclusively; and on the twentieth day of this month, they removed from Sinai to the wilderness of Paran. (ch. 10:11, 12.)
Ahiezer <0295> [Ahiezer.]
On ... eleventh day <03117 06249> [eleventh day.]
Dr. Adam Clarke remarks, that the Hebrew form of expression here, and in the 78th verse, has something curious in it; {beyom Æ’shtey Æ’sar yom,} "in the day, the first and tenth day;" {beyom shenim Æ’sar yom,} "in the day, two and tenth day." But this is the idiom of the language; and to an original Hebrew, our almost anomalous words eleventh and twelfth, would appear as strange.
Pagiel <06295> [Pagiel.]
The oblations and sacrifices enumerated in verses 13 to 88 were simple and plain, though costly and magnificent. On this occasion we find there were offered 12 silver chargers, each weighing 130 shekels; 12 silver bowls, each 70 shekels; 12 golden spoons, each 10 shekels; making the total amount of silver vessels 2,400 shekels, and that of golden vessels, 120 shekels. A silver charger, at 130 shekels, reduced to troy weight, makes 75 oz. 9 dwts. 16 8/31 gr.; and a silver bowl, at 70 shekels, amounts to 40 oz. 12 dwts. 21 21/31 gr. The total weight of the 12 chargers is therefore 905 oz. 16 dwts. 3 3/31 gr.; and that of the 12 bowls, 487 oz. 14 dwts. 20 4/31 gr.; making the total weight of silver vessels 1,393 oz. 10 dwts. 23 7/31 gr. The golden spoons, allowing each to be 5 oz. 16 dwts. 3 3/31 gr., amount to 69 oz. 3 dwts. 13 5/31 gr. Besides these, there were for sacrifice-- Bullocks . . . . . . 12 Rams . . . . . . 12 Lambs . . . . . . 12 Goats . . . . . . 24 Rams . . . . . . 60 He goats . . . . . . 60 Lambs . . . . . . 60 By this we may at once see, that though the place in which they now sojourned was a wilderness as to cities, villages, and regular inhabitants, yet there was plenty of pasturage; else the Israelites could not have furnished these cattle, with all the sacrifices necessary for different occasions, and especially for the passover, which must of itself have required an immense number of lambs, when each family of 600,000 males was obliged to provide one. (ch. 9.)
dedication <02598> [the dedication.]
leaders <05387> [the princes.]
2,400 <0505> [two thousand.]
shekel <08255> [after the shekel.]
anointed <04886> [that it was anointed.]
speak ......... speaking ........................ spoke <01696> [to speak.]
heard .......... atonement lid <08085 03727> [him. that is, God. he heard.]
two cherubim <03742 08147> [two cherubims.]
