Numbers 7:8

7:1-9 The offering of the princes to the service of the tabernacle was not made till it was fully set up. Necessary observances must always take place of free-will offerings. The more any are advanced, the greater opportunity they have of serving God and their generation. No sooner was the tabernacle set up, than provision is made for the removal of it. Even when but just settled in the world, we must be preparing for changes and removes, especially for the great change.

And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari,.... All the remaining wagons and oxen, which were double the number given to the Gershonites: according unto their service; being much heavier than theirs, having all the boards, pillars, sockets, pins; cords, &c. to bear and carry: thus Moses was directed of God wisely to dispose of those carriages, in proportion to the services each was employed in; and in a spiritual way, as the day, duty, and service of the people of God be, he proportions grace and strength to them to answer thereunto: under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest; under whose care, inspection, and direction, were both the Gershonites and Merarites, Numbers 4:28; and by whom were delivered, according to the instruction of Moses, the several wagons and oxen, to them.

To the Gershonites, who had to transport the hangings and coverings of the tabernacle, two wagons are assigned: to the Merarites, who had the charge of the solid parts of the tabernacle, four wagons. The furniture and vessels the Kohathites were to carry on their own shoulders. Compare Numbers 3:25-26 , Numbers 3:31 , Numbers 3:36-37 .

6-9. Moses took the wagons and the oxen—The Hebrew word seems to be fairly rendered by the word "wagons." Wheel carriages of some kind are certainly intended; and as they were covered, the best idea we can form of them is, that they bore some resemblance to our covered wagons. That wheel carriages were anciently used in Egypt, and in what is now Asiatic Turkey, is attested, not only by history, but by existing sculptures and paintings. Some of these the Israelites might have brought with them at their departure; and others, the skilful artisans, who did the mechanical work of the tabernacle, could easily have constructed, according to models with which they had been familiar. Each wagon was drawn by two oxen, and a greater number does not seem to have been employed on any of the different occasions mentioned in Scripture. Oxen seem to have been generally used for draught in ancient times among other nations as well as the Hebrews; and they continue still to be employed in dragging the few carts which are in use in some parts of Western Asia [Kitto]. gave them unto the Levites—The principle of distribution was natural and judicious.

The Merarites had twice the number of wagons and oxen appropriated to them that the Gershonites had, obviously because, while the latter had charge only of the coverings and hangings (the light but precious and richly-embroidered drapery, [Nu 4:24-26]) the former were appointed to transport all the heavy and bulky materials (the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets) in short, all the larger articles of furniture [Nu 4:31, 32]. Whoever thinks only of the enormous weight of metal, the gold, silver, brass, &c., that were on the bases, chapiters, and pillars, &c., will probably come to the conclusion that four wagons and eight oxen were not nearly sufficient for the conveyance of so vast a load. Besides, the Merarites were not very numerous, as they amounted only to thirty-two hundred men from thirty years and upward [Nu 4:44]; and, therefore, there is reason to suppose that a much greater number of wagons would afterwards be found necessary, and be furnished, than were given on this occasion [Calmet]. Others, who consider the full number of wagons and oxen to be stated in the sacred record, suppose that the Merarites may have carried many of the smaller things in their hands—the sockets, for instance, which being each a talent weight, was one man's burden (2Ki 5:23).

He gave two waggons and four oxen to the Gershonites, and four waggons and eight oxen to the Merarites, as the former had less weight to carry, in the coverings and curtains of the dwelling and the hangings of the court, than the latter, who had to take charge of the beams and pillars ( Numbers 4:24 ., Numbers 4:31 .). "Under the hand of Ithamar" ( Numbers 7:8 ); as in Numbers 4:28 , Numbers 4:33 . The Kohathites received no waggon, because it was their place to attend to "the sanctuary" (the holy), i.e., the holy things, which had to be conveyed upon their shoulders, and were provided with poles for the purpose ( Numbers 4:4 .).

[Reformed Biblical] , when the princes here employed in the offerings were first constituted; and after the disposal of the tribes about the tabernacle, the order of which is here observed in the time of their offerings. Anointed it, Lev_8:10. Numbers 7:2 To wit, in the manner and days hereafter mentioned. Numbers 7:3 ## Covered wago ns, for the more convenient and safe carriage of such things as were most cumbersome. Numbers 7:4 Numbers 7:5 i.e. More or fewer of them, as the nature of their service and of the things to be carried required. Numbers 7:6 Numbers 7:7 Numbers 7:8 i.e. Under his care and inspection. See Gen_39:22. And it must be noted that these words belong both to the Merarites here, and to ## the Gershonites , Num_7:7, because both of them were under his hands, as is affirmed, Num_4:28 ,33 . Numbers 7:9

[Reformed Biblical] ## Because of the greater worth and holiness of the things which they carried. See Num_4:6 ,8,10,12,14 2Sa_6:6 ,13 . Numbers 7:10 ## The altar, to wit, of burnt-offerings, and incense too, as appears from the matter of their offerings. The singular number for the plural. Not for the first dedication of them, for it is apparent they were dedicated or consecrated before this time by Moses and Aaron for divers days together, Le 8 Le 9 ; but for a further dedication of them, these being the first offerings that were made for any particular persons or tribes. ## In the day, i.e. about the time, as soon as it was anointed. See Poole Num_7:1. Numbers 7:11 As well for the greater solemnity and splendour of the work, as for the prevention of confusion. And in this offering they follow the order of their camp, and not of their birth. Numbers 7:12 In whose name and behalf this offering was made, and so in the rest. Numbers 7:13 ## One silver charger, a large dish or platter; of which see Exo_25:29, to be employed about the altar of burnt-offering, or in the court, not in the sanctuary, for all its vessels were of gold. Numbers 7:14 ## Ten shekels of gold, and therefore belonging to the altar of incense. Numbers 7:15 Numbers 7:16 Numbers 7:17 ## Peace-offerings are more numerous, because the princes and priests, and some of the people, did make a feast before the Lord out of them, and celebrated it with great rejoicing.