Numbers 4:16

Numbers 4:16

 

And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.

 

a. British Family Bible: “And to the office of Eleazar &c. Though the Levites of this class had a particular governor of their own, Nu 3:30, yet both he and they, in all their important trusts, were to be under the inspection of the high priest's eldest son, as their supervisor, Nu 3:32.” Pyle.

 

b. Patrick/Lowth/Whitby/ Lowman Commentary: “To the office of Eleazar – pertaineth the oil, It is commonly thought, that he is required to carry this, and the other things that follow in this verse, himself: but, if all things be considered, it will appear more reasonable to think that he, who was the chief of all the chiefs over the Levites (Nu 3:32), is peculiarly required to see the Kohathites did their duty: for, though they had a chief over them, whose work it was to inspect them (Nu 3:30), yet God thought good to appoint Eleazar to supervise both him and all under him in these weighty concerns: and so the words may be interpreted out of the Hebrew: The oversight of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be the oil, &c. And there is the greater reason thus to understand it, because the oil-vessels are before committed to the Kohathites (Nu 4:9), and consequently the oil itself; which could not be carried but in the vessels.”

 

c. Thomas Scott: Eleazar himself, perhaps with the other priests, was required to carry the oil for the light, the incense, and the flour, for the daily meat-offering and the holy ointment, besides superintending the Levites. It may be supposed that he carried no more of the oil than for present use.