Num. 5:1-6:27 The previous chapters are occupied with something passing, that is, with the order of the march from Sinai to the Promised Land. Here the instructions aren't limited to the time of the journey, but apply to life in the land.
Num. 5:1-6:27 Preserving the Purity of GOD's People (HBH) The sanctity of the tabernacle - a point made clear by the detailed regulation concerning its handling (chaps. 3-4) - gave rise to a consideration of various ordinances having to do with holiness and separation (5:1-6:27). Thus Moses addressed ritual uncleanness (5:1-4), sin and restitution (5:5-10), and tests to be administered to a woman whose husband accused her of adultery (5:11-31). Since the Nazarite was a classic example of one who set himself apart for divine service, Moses set forth lengthy guidelines concerning the Nazarite vow (6:1-21).
The blessing Moses taught Aaron and the priests captures the very essence of what it means for Israel to be the people of Yahweh - a source of blessing that makes GOD's gracious presence known (6:24-27).
| TABERNACLE (HBH) |
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The tabernacle was a portable shrine. It served the Hebrew people as their center of worship during the years of desert wanderings, conquest of Canaan, settlement in the land, and early monarchy. The English word tabernacle comes from the Latin Vulgate. It means tent or wooden hut. The Hebrew term translated "tabernacle represented the LORD's presence with His sojourning people. Importance Exodus 25-31 told the people how to make the tabernacle. Exodus 35-40 reports that they made it just that way. Thirteen chapters out of forty, over a third of the Book of Exodus, concern the making of the tabernacle. (Of course, many details of furnishings, ritual, and priestly activity were included, in addition to the actual construction.) Plan The tabernacle was a rather small prefabricated tent made of a wooden frame and elaborate curtains. It sat in an outer court that measured 150 by 75 feet. The court was formed by a fence of posts and curtains. The tent faced east and measured forty-five by fifteen feet. The first chamber, the holy place, was thirty by fifteen feet. The holy of holies (the holiest of all) was a cube and measured fifteen feet in every direction. Furniture Six items of furniture were associated with the tabernacle. In front of the tent, nearest the outer fence, sat the huge brazen altar on which the priests offered the sacrifices. Behind it was the large laver or basin for ceremonial washing. Inside the holy place, at the north wall, stood the table of showbread (bread of the presence). Some think it was an acknowledgment of the LORD's bounty in providing food for His people. On the south side of the holy place stood the seven-branched lampstand (not candlestick). At the curtain separating the two sections of the tabernacle stood a second, smaller altar, the altar of incense. Inside the holy of holies the ark of the covenant rested. It was a chest overlaid with gold. Its lid was a slab of solid gold called the mercy seat (RSV; the atonement cover, NIV). Over it the cherubim stood (or knelt, depending on the interpretation). The atonement cover was the X-marks-the-spot where the LORD was enthroned and where He came down to meet His people. Meaning In Exodus 25:8 GOD instructed Moses, "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them." Some commentators find Christian significance in every detail of the tabernacle construction. This approach should not be overdone, lest we miss the main point: the LORD's presence. The NT applies this image of GOD's presence in the tabernacle to Jesus' presence with His first disciples: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14). The Book of Hebrews often applies the image of the priest serving in the tabernacle to Christ's saving work (Heb. 6:19-20; 8:2; 9:24; 10:19-20). Because Christ died for us and lives to intercede for us, Christians have access to the presence of GOD. In the OT only priests could enter the tabernacle building. Lay worshipers had to remain outside the outer fence unless they were allowed to bring their sacrifices as far as the altar just inside. The tabernacle helps us to appreciate the free access Christ provides for us to the Father (Heb. 10:19-20). (See "The Sacrificial System".) |
Num. 5:2 Leprous Leviticus 13:1-46 speaks in detail of the quarantine for the leper. The probable cause of the flow of semen (KJV-issue) was some type of infection. In Leviticus 15 quarantine wasn't necessary. More rigor was imposed in the encampment due to the sacred presence of GOD in the tabernacle. Contaminated by the dead: This is spoken of more extensively in 19:11-19. We must assume that the quarantine only lasted until the contamination by leprosy, flow of semen or the dead was removed.
Num. 5:5-8 See section 4 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Numbers.
Num. 5:6-8 In verses 6,7 the sin alludes to the theological aspects of the offense (the offense to GOD), the harm refers to the social aspects of the offense (offense against other persons), and the recompense is related to the social dimension of the sin, just as the atonement (v.8) has to do with its theological dimensions.
Num. 5:6 Sins: Offenses committed against Jehovah that provoke a feeling of guilt in human beings.
Num. 5:8 The ram of the atonement: See the note for 5:15.
Num. 5:11-31 This instruction can seem unjust in respect to women to the modern reader. But you mustn't lose sight of the intention that is behind it, that is, containing the jealousy of the husband. The ceremony provided a legal method to establish the guilt or innocence of a person.
Num. 5:12-14 These verses stipulate the way the ceremony should be carried out, without supposing guilt or innocence. The spirit of jealousy doesn't allude to any being or spirit apart from the husband, but to his own spirit dominated by the suspicion of jealousy.
Num. 5:15-28 It wasn't thought that the ceremony could change the destiny of a person, but the oath under which the woman was placed made it effective. Its purpose was to give testimony of the desire to do justice impartially; it also permitted the doubts between the couple to be awakened.
Num. 5:15 The tenth part of an ephah is equivalent to 3.7 liters.
Num. 6:1-21 The three aspects of the vow of the Nazarite are: abstinence from the fruit of the vine (verses 3,4), not cutting the hair (v.5) and avoiding contamination caused by touching a cadaver (verses 6-12). It seems that being careful about these things was considered specific acts of discipline and cleanness.
Num. 6:1-8 See section 2 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Numbers.
Num. 6:2 Nazarite is a substantive derived from a verb that can be translated as "to separate". The word simply defines one who separates himself for the LORD for a specific period of time. This temporary Nazarite is probably differing from one who made a vow for life, as was the case with Samson (see Judges 13-16; Amos 2:11,12).
Num. 6:14 Burnt offering...expiation and peace offering is a familiar trilogy from the beginning of Aaron's priestly ministry (see the notes for Leviticus 1:3,4; 3:1; 4:3.
Num. 6:17 His meat offering and his drink offering aren't different offerings, but form part of the ritual of the peace offering. The necessity of observing these rituals (verses 13-21) to absolve persons from their vows reinforces their importance (see the note for 3:1).
Num. 6:20 Wave offering: A type of peace offering. See the note for Leviticus 3:1.
Num. 6:22-27 Ye and thee are singular forms in Hebrew, and are used to speak to an individual, although here it can be interpreted as a reference to all Israel. A poem is included here with three verses; each one of them contains two verbs that allude to Jehovah. It is known as the blessing of Aaron and many Christians nowadays cite it literally.
Num. 6:24 Bless thee: Alludes to Jehovah prospering believers by protecting them against any harm.
Num. 6:25 Make his face shine upon thee: Implies favoring one who worships the LORD, treating him mercifully.
Num. 6:26 Lift up his face upon you: Something similar to what is said in verse 25, bringing with it peace, the provision of all things necessary for the wellbeing of the human being.
Num. 7:1-89 The recently named leaders responded to their designation with offerings for the tabernacle that was about to be dedicated. One of the offerings was for the service of the tabernacle of reunion (verses 2-9), given once, and again for the altar (verses 10-88), presented in a ceremony that lasted twelve days.
Num. 7:1-8:26 Providing GOD a Dwelling in the Camp (HBH) The tribal leaders of the respective twelve tribes brought their own gifts of tribute to the LORD at the tabernacle, thereby recognizing His sovereignty over all political as well as religious affairs (7:1-88). Day by day the tribes came in succession, bringing silver and gold vessels and a great number of sacrificial animals. More important than even these lavish gifts, however, was Israel's giving of itself to the LORD. They separated and dedicated the Levites to Yahweh as His own special treasure (8:5-19). This had already been commanded (3:5-10), but now it actually took place (8:20-26).
Num. 7:1 The chronology here alludes to the conclusion of the construction of the tabernacle (Exod. 40:17-33), the consecration of the tabernacle and the altar (Lev. 8:10,11).
Num. 7:2-9 The offering for the tabernacle facilitated the means for transporting it during the journey: two wagons for the curtains and four for the structural elements. The sons of Kohath had to carry the holiest things upon their shoulders, holding the rods with rings attached to them (4:4-15).
Num. 7:10-88 The princes were the leaders that Moses had designated in chapters 1 and 2 and all brought identical gifts. The generosity of the offerings is emphasized by the repetitions of verses 84-88. It is mentioned as an example for future generations.
Num. 7:13 The weight of a shekel varied. It's generally assumed that at this time it equaled some 11.4 grams of silver. See the note for 6:17.
Num. 7:15 The burnt offering: See the note for 6:14.
Num. 7:16 The offering for expiation: See the note for 6:14.
Num. 7:17 The peace offering: See the note for 6:14.
Num. 7:89 Describes the means through which Jehovah communicated with Moses in fulfillment of his promise in Exodus 25:21,22. This revelation means that the tabernacle had begun to function.
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