Numbers 4:3
thirty years.8:24-26; Ge 41:46; 1Ch 23:3,24-27; 28:12,13; Lu 3:23; 1Ti 3:6enter.2Ki 11:4-12; 2Ch 23:1-11; 2Co 10:3,4; Eph 6:10-18; 1Ti 1:18to do.3:7,8; 16:9; 1Ch 6:48; 23:4,5,28-32; 1Ti 3:1Numbers 8:24
from twenty.In ch. 4:3, the Levites are appointed to the service of the tabernacle at the age of 30 years; and in 1 Ch 23:24, they are ordered to commence their work at 20 years of age. In order to reconcile this apparent discrepancy, it is to be observed, 1. At the time of which Moses speaks in ch. 4:3, the Levitical service was exceedingly severe, and consequently required full grown, robust men, to perform it; the age of 30 was therefore appointed as the period for commencing this service, the weightier part of which was probably there intended. 2. In this place God seems to speak of the service in a general way: hence the age of 25 is fixed. 3. In David's time, and afterwards, in the fixed tabernacle and temple, the laboriousness of the service no longer existed, and hence 20 years was the age appointed. 4:3,23; 1Ch 23:3,24-27; 28:12,13wait upon. Heb. war the warfare of, etc.1Co 9:7; 2Co 10:4; 1Ti 1:18; 6:12; 2Ti 2:3-51 Chronicles 23:24
the sons of Levi.Nu 10:17,21after the house.Nu 1:4; 2:32; 3:15,20; 4:34-49by their polls.Nu 1:2,18,22; 3:47from the age.At first David appointed the Levites to serve from thirty years old and upwards; but considering, probably, that the temple which was about to be built, with its courts, chambers, etc., would require a more numerous ministry, he fixed this period, by this subsequent regulation, at twenty years and upwards. In the time of Moses, the age was from thirty years to fifty: here this latter period is not mentioned, probably because the service was not so laborious now; for the ark being fixed, they had no longer any burdens to carry; and therefore even an old man might continue to serve. See the Note on Nu 8:24. twenty.3,27; Nu 1:3; 4:3; 8:24; Ezr 3:81 Chronicles 23:27
by the last.3,24; 2Sa 23:1; Ps 72:20numbered. Heb. numbers.
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