47 The Levites , however, were not numbered among them by their fathers' tribe . 48 For the Lord had spoken to Moses , saying , 49 "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number , nor shall you take their [1]census among the sons of Israel . 50 "But you shall appoint the Levites over the [2]tabernacle of the testimony , and over all its furnishings and over all that belongs to it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings , and they shall take care of it; they shall also camp around the [2]tabernacle . 51 " So when the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down ; and when the tabernacle encamps , the Levites shall set it up. But the [4]layman who comes near shall be put to death . 52 " The sons of Israel shall camp , each man by his own camp , and each man by his own standard , according to their armies . 53 " But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony , so that there will be no wrath on the congregation of the sons of Israel . So the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of the testimony ." 54 Thus the sons of Israel did ; according to all which the Lord had commanded Moses , so they did .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 1:47-54
Commentary on Numbers 1:47-54
(Read Numbers 1:47-54)
Care is here taken to distinguish the tribe of Levi, which, in the matter of the golden calf, had distinguished itself. Singular services shall be recompensed by singular honours. It was to the honour of the Levites, that to them was committed the care of the tabernacle and its treasures, in their camps and in their marches. It was for the honour of the holy things that none should see them, or touch them, but those who were called of God to the service. We all are unfit and unworthy to have fellowship with God, till called by his grace into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and so, being the spiritual seed of that great High Priest, we are made priests to our God. Great care must be taken to prevent sin, for preventing sin is preventing wrath. Being a holy tribe, they were not reckoned among other Israelites. They that minister about holy things, should neither entangle themselves, nor be entangled, in worldly affairs. And let every believer seek to do what the Lord has commanded.