THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
This indicates the principle of following the cloud, which signifies that whenever the cloud shifts, whether during the day or night, the Israelites will also set forth in accordance with its movement.
Numbers 1:53Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
But the Levites shall pitch their tents round about the tabernacle, lest there come indignation upon the multitude of the children of Israel, and they shall keep watch, and guard the tabernacle of the testimony.
וְהַלְוִיִּ֞ם יַחֲנ֤וּ סָבִיב֙ לְמִשְׁכַּ֣ן הָעֵדֻ֔ת וְלֹֽא־יִהְיֶ֣ה קֶ֔צֶף עַל־עֲדַ֖ת בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְשָׁמְרוּ֙ הַלְוִיִּ֔ם אֶת־מִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת מִשְׁכַּ֥ן הָעֵדֽוּת׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Wlastow G.K.
The Levites seemingly served as the protective force for the Tabernacle, which suggests they were organized in a manner similar to the other tribes of Israel regarding military and traveling provisions. One might consider that a continuous watch was present at the Tabernacle to prevent any potential anger directed at the assembly of the children of Israel, meaning that individuals from other tribes were restricted from approaching the Tabernacle, except during sanctioned events like sacrifices and purifications.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Num 16:46Moses said to Aaron: Take the censer, and putting fire in it from the altar, put incense upon it, and go quickly to the people to pray for them: for already wrath is gone out from the Lord, and the plague rageth.
- 1 Chr 23:32And let them keep the observances of the tabernacle of the covenant, and the ceremonies of the sanctuary, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, that they may minister in the house of the Lord.
- Lev 10:6And Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons: Uncover not your heads, and rend not your garments, lest perhaps you die, and indignation come upon all the congregation. Let your brethren, and all the house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord has kindled.
- Num 31:30Out of the moiety also of the children of Israel thou shalt take the fiftieth head of persons, and of oxen, and asses, and sheep, and of all beasts, and thou shalt give them to the Levites that watch in the charge of the tabernacle of the Lord.
- Num 3:7And observe whatsoever appertaineth to the service of the multitude before the tabernacle of the testimony,
- Num 3:8And let them keep the vessels of the tabernacle, serving in the ministry thereof.
- Num 8:24This is the law of the Levites: From twenty-five years old and upwards, they shall go in to minister in the tabernacle of the covenant.
- Num 8:26And they shall be the ministers of their brethren in the tabernacle of the covenant, to keep the things that are committed to their care, but not to do the works. Thus shalt thou order the Levites touching their charge.