John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And of Levi he said , etc.] That is, Moses said of the tribe of Levi, as both the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem: [let] thy Thummim and thy Urim [be] with thy Holy One ; with Aaron, as the same Targums interpret it, who was of the tribe of Levi, and was a holy good man, a saint of the Lord, as he is called, ( <19A616> Psalm 106:16); of the Urim and Thummim, which were with him and with every high priest, (see Gill on “ Exodus 28:30”); and though they were not in use under the second temple, yet had their fulfilment in Christ the antitype of Aaron, who may be chiefly here intended; who is after called the Lord’s Holy One, as he is, both as God and man, holy in both his natures, divine and human, and in his life and actions; and with him are the true Urim and Thummim, lights and perfections, the light of nature, grace and glory, and all perfections, both divine and human; (see Gill on “ Exodus 28:30”) f634 : whom thou didst prove at Massah, [and with] whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah ; which, as it may respect Aaron, may be understood either of the Lord’s proving him and contending with him, by suffering the children of Israel to murmur against him and Moses, at the said places; when, according to the three Targums, he stood in the temptation, and was perfect and found faithful; or of Levi, who, with the rest of the tribes, tried him, and strove with him at the same places; though Jarchi says they did not murmur with the rest that murmured: as it may refer to Christ the antitype of Levi, the sense is, that the Urim and Thummim should be with the Holy One, the Messiah, whom thou, O Levi, with the rest of the tribes, tempted and strove with at the places mentioned; for it is expressly said, they tempted the Lord, ( Exodus 17:7); and which is interpreted of Christ, ( 1 Corinthians 10:9).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-23 - The order in which the tribes are here blessed, is not the same as is observed elsewhere. The blessing of Judah may refer to the whole trib in general, or to David as a type of Christ. Moses largely blesses the tribe of Levi. Acceptance with God is what we should all aim at, an desire, in all our devotions, whether men accept us or not, 2Co 5:9 This prayer is a prophecy, that God will keep up a ministry in his church to the end of time. The tribe of Benjamin had their inheritanc close to mount Zion. To be situated near the ordinances, is a preciou gift from the Lord, a privilege not to be exchanged for any worldl advantage, or indulgence. We should thankfully receive the earthl blessings sent to us, through the successive seasons. But those goo gifts which come down from the Father of lights, through the rising of the Sun of righteousness, and the pouring out of his Spirit like the rain which makes fruitful, are infinitely more precious, as the token of his special love. The precious things here prayed for, are figure of spiritual blessing in heavenly things by Christ, the gifts, graces and comforts of the Spirit. When Moses prays for the good will of Hi that dwelt in the bush, he refers to the covenant, on which all ou hopes of God's favour must be founded. The providence of God appoint men's habitations, and wisely disposes men to different employments for the public good. Whatever our place and business are, it is our wisdo and duty to apply thereto; and it is happiness to be well please therewith. We should not only invite others to the service of God, but abound in it. The blessing of Naphtali. The favour of God is the onl favour satisfying to the soul. Those are happy indeed, who have the favour of God; and those shall have it, who reckon that in having i they have enough, and desire no more.
Original Hebrew וללוי3878 אמר559 תמיך8550 ואוריך224 לאישׁ376 חסידך2623 אשׁר834 נסיתו5254 במסה4532 תריבהו7378 על5921 מי4325 מריבה׃4809
