Numbers 4:36
In the third chapter we have an account of the whole number of the Levites; and here of those only who were able to serve the Lord in the sanctuary. By comparing the two places, we find the number of the effective and ineffective males to stand thus:-- Kohathites. Effective men . . . . . . . 2,750 Ineffective . . . . . . . . 5,850 ----- Total 8,600 Gershonites. Effective men . . . . . . . 2,630 Ineffective . . . . . . . . 4,870 ----- Total 7,500 Merarites. Effective men . . . . . . . 3,200 Ineffective . . . . . . . . 3,000 ----- Total 6,200 Thus we find that the whole number of the Levites amounted to 22,300; of whom 8,580 were fit for service and 13,720 unfit, being either too old or too young. What an astonishing number of men, all performing some service by which God was glorified, and the congregation at large benefited!
Numbers 19:11
touches ... corpse <04191 05060> [toucheth the dead.]
He who touched a dead beast was only unclean for one day, (Le 11:12, 27, 39;) but he who touches a dead man is unclean for seven days. This was certainly designed to show the peculiar impurity and sinfulness of man, and the hatefulness of sin, seven times worse than the vilest animal!
person <0120> [man. Heb. soul of man.]
Numbers 26:14
The immense decrease of this tribe, no less than 37,100, renders it highly probable, that, influenced by the bad example of Zimri, the Simeonites had been peculiarly criminal in the late wickedness, and that multitudes of them had died of the plague. It is remarkable, that Moses, in De ch. 33, bestows no blessing upon this tribe.
Numbers 32:36
Beth Nimrah <01039> [Beth-nimrah.]
Probably the same as Nimrim in Jer 48:34, and the Bethnabris mentioned by Eusebius, five miles north from Livias. Burckhardt says, that "in the valley of the Jordan, south of Abou Obeida, are the ruins of Nemrim, probably the Beth-nimrah of the Scriptures."
[Nimrah. fenced cities.]
