Num. 2:1-34 See section 5 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Numbers.
Num. 2:1-34 The military census in chapter 1 completed, instructions are given for the organization of the tribes and their armies. The encampment was organized with three tribes on each side of the tabernacle, so that Jehovah's dwelling would be in their midst. When they broke camp and began the march, the six tribes situated on the east and south were positioned in front, followed by the Levites who traveled with the tabernacle in the center (v.17); behind them marched the six tribes camped on the west and north, respectively. Whether camped, or on the march, the tabernacle maintained the central place. Priority was given to one of the tribes that occupied each one of the sides of the tabernacle, Judah to the east (v.9), Reuben to the south (v.16), Ephraim to the west (v.24) and Dan to the north (v.31).
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Num. 2:2 Under the insignias of their father's house: Seems to refer to the non-military symbol around which the tribes were grouped in the encampment, while the banner referred specifically to the military grouping. Verse 2 speaks of the non-military members of the encampment, while the rest of the chapter deals with the military formations.
Num. 2:17 See section 3 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Numbers.
Num. 2:17 This verse offers the key for understanding the chapter, by indicating that the centrality of the tabernacle of reunion (see the note for 1:50) was the most important matter.
Num. 2:32 The verse offers a summary of the size of the armies (see the note for 1:46.
Num. 2:33 The exception made for the Levites is an echo of 1:49-53 and serves as a prologue for the following two chapters.
Num. 3:1-51 This chapter covers the census of the Levites, who in chapters 1 and 2 were excluded from any type of military service in the encampment. It refers to the tribe of Levi as the substitutes for the firstborn sons of Israel, the position in the encampment of the Levitical families, to their responsibilities, and the superiority of the family of Aaron and Moses over the rest of the Levites.
Num. 3:1-49 Organizing the Levites for Worship (HBH) The Levites had been set apart for Yahweh's special service as a substitute for Israel's firstborn sons (3:12-13; compare 4:34-49). Moses organized them according to Levi's three sons - Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (3:14-20). The Gershonites were responsible for the curtains, drapes, and coverings of the tabernacle (3:21-26; 4:21-28); the Kohathites, for its furnishings (3:27-32; 4:1-20); and the Merarites, for its supporting structure (3:33-37; 4:29-33).
Num. 3:1 Descendants: Alludes to the genealogies. That which is related in verses 1-4 doesn't have to do with the census. The census gave account of the number of persons who belonged to the different families; the genealogy deals with the descendancy of individuals with respect to their ancestors. See especially Genesis 11:27;25:19; 37:2, where the word for genealogy occupies a central place in the histories of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, respectively.
Num. 3:3 Consecrated: Literally, "filled their hands", refers to the rites of ordination established in Exodus 28 and 29, and executed in Leviticus 8. The subject of whether the model of ministry that separates the clergy from the laity should be translated from the Old Testament to the Church has been answered by different Christian denominations. Many contemporary evangelicals tend to diminish the importance of the distinction between the clergy and laity, basing their viewpoint on the expansion of the gifts of the Spirit to which Moses refers in chapter 11.
Num. 3:4 See the note for Leviticus 10:1,2.
Num. 3:7 The work of the tabernacle as the responsibility of the Levites is different than the work of Aaron and his descendants, who "ministered as priests" (v.4). A Levite who wasn't Aaron's descendant wasn't authorized to carry out the work of a priest ("the stranger" v.10).
Num. 3:12,13 Firstborn: The firstborn belonged to GOD as an acknowledgment of the link that unites the human being with his Savior. This special claim awarded great prestige to the institution of primogeniture within the Israelite society. As they were GOD's property, the firstborn had to be bought by their parents. Here the Levites are presented as substitutes for the firstborn of the sons of Israel.
Num. 3:17-39 The model for the census is the same for the three groups: 1) names of the families that formed the group; 2) the amount of persons belonging to the group; 3) the place where they should camp; 4) the name of the chief; and 5) the relation of duties entrusted to the group. Chapter 4 extends this final aspect and tells how these duties had to be realized.
Num. 3:40-51 It was discovered that there were 273 more firstborn than Levites (v.46). Therefore, these 273 had to be bought back by money (v.47) instead of the Levites (see the note for verses 12,13). Money helped to finance the tabernacle.
Num. 4:1-49 This chapter details the census of the Levites, between the ages of 30 and 50 years, to serve in the tabernacle. The tasks of the sons of Kohath were centered in the most holy place (with especially holy objects within the tabernacle that aren't specified, v4). The sons of Gershon and Merari were occupied with the covering and structural pieces of the tabernacle.
Num. 4:4-20 The office of the sons of Kohath: The greatest part of the instructions deal with the preparation of Aaron and his descendants of the objects that must be transported by the sons of Kohath. They are all covered and have rings in which to insert the rods that allow their transportation, so that the sons of Kohath didn't need to touch the holy things.
Num. 4:21-28 The service of the sons of Gershon: The exterior coverings were invested to them under the direction of Ithamar, the son of Aaron.
Num. 4:29-33 The service of the sons of Merari: They were occupied with the structural elements of the sanctuary and were supervised by Ithamar, the son of Aaron.
Num. 4:34-49 The results of the census are revealed. This helps to reiterate the importance of the Levitical ministry and establishes those who legitimately are a part of it.
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