The Bible — notes and cross-references in Numbers | Interpretation and commentary to chapter 4

In addition to carrying out their own duties in the setting out of the tabernacle (vv. 5-14), the priests appointed the Levites to do their service (vv. 19, 27-28, 33). In the Old Testament there was a distinction between the priests and the Levites. However, in the New Testament there is only one class, that of the priests (Rom. 15:16; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10), which includes the Levites. Hence, what the Levites did in the Old Testament in type, the believers as the New Testament priests should also do in reality. The fact that the service of the Levites was under the supervision of the priests indicates that when the New Testament priests do the outward Levitical work, they must do it under the supervision of the inward, spiritual view of the New Testament priesthood. The Levitical service should never be separated from the priestly view. The outward service must become a spiritual activity that ministers life to others.

4:16^c anointing

Exo. 30:25, 31; 31:11; 37:29

4:16^b incense

Exo. 25:6; 31:11

4:16^1a oil

Exo. 25:6; 27:20-21; Lev. 24:2

All the items over which Eleazar was responsible signify different aspects of the rich Christ. See note Num. 3:8^1a and note Num. 3:31¹, and notes in Exo. chs. 25—30 concerning the items of the tabernacle.

4:15^a carry

Num. 7:9; 10:21; Deut. 31:9

4:13^a purple

Exo. 25:4; Dan. 5:29 Mark 15:17

4:12^a utensils

cf. 1 Chron. 9:28-29

4:11^a altar

Exo. 30:1-3

4:9^a lampstand

Exo. 25:31-39

4:8^b poles

Exo. 25:14-15, 27-28

4:8^a scarlet

Exo. 25:4; Lev. 14:4; cf. Josh. 2:18

4:7^c bread

Exo. 25:30; Lev. 24:6; 2 Chron. 2:4

4:7¹ drink

See note Lev. 23:13^2a.

4:7^b plates

Exo. 25:29; 37:16

4:7^a table

Exo. 25:23

4:6^c poles

Exo. 25:13

4:6^b blue

Num. 4:7, 9, 11, 12; Exo. 25:4

4:6^1a porpoise

Num. 4:8, 10-12, 14; cf. Exo. 26:14; Num. 4:25

The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. It probably refers to the skin of a sea animal such as the porpoise or sea cow. So throughout the chapter.

4:5^b Ark

Exo. 25:10, 16

4:5^a veil

Exo. 26:31

4:5² Aaron

See note Num. 4:19¹.

4:5¹ sets

The holy service of the priests and the Levites was for God’s move. The tabernacle moved on the shoulders of the descendants of the three sons of Levi. This moving was in a very good sequence, with no confusion. In the same manner Christ, the embodiment of God for God’s expansion, moves through those who love Him (cf. Acts 1:8; 13:1-4).

4:3² service

See note Num. 1:3². So also in vv. 23, 30, 35, 39, 43. The holy service of the priests and the Levites was considered a warfare. Likewise, the service of the New Testament priests of the gospel of God (Rom. 1:1; 15:16) for the building up of the Body of Christ is a warfare (2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:12; 1 Tim. 1:18; 2 Tim. 4:7a).

4:3^1a thirty

Num. 4:23, 30, 35, 39, 43, 47; cf. Num. 8:24; 1 Chron. 23:3, 24, 27

To serve as a Levite, one had to be between thirty and fifty years old (vv. 3, 23, 30, 35, 43, 47). Likewise, the Lord Jesus did not reach the full age for God’s service until He was thirty (Luke 3:23). To be counted in the service to God, one had to be one month old and above — those at that age needed to grow and mature (Num. 3:39, 43). To be counted in the warfare for God’s testimony, one had to be twenty years old or above — those at that age were mature and strong, without limit (1:3). To be counted in the service that was close to God, one had to be between thirty and fifty years old — those at that age were more mature and were stronger, without deterioration.