Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. Aaron-and his sons] The priesthood was to be restrained to this family because the public worship was to be confined to one place; and previously to this the eldest in every family officiated as priest, there being no settled place of worship. It has been very properly observed that, if Moses had not acted by the Divine appointment, he would not have passed by his own family, which continued in the condition of ordinary Levites, and established the priesthood, the only dignity in the nation, in the family of his brother Aaron. "The priests, however, had no power of a secular nature, nor does it appear from history that they ever arrived at any till the time of the Asmoneans or Maccabees." See the note on "Exodus xix. 22".
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Hitherto the heads of families were the priests, and offere sacrifices; but now this office was confined to the family of Aaro only; and so continued till the gospel dispensation. The holy garment not only distinguished the priests from the people, but were emblems of that holy conduct which should ever be the glory and beauty, the mar of the ministers of religion, without which their persons an ministrations will be had in contempt. They also typified the glory of the Divine majesty, and the beauty of complete holiness, which rendere Jesus Christ the great High Priest. But our adorning under the gospel is not to be of gold and costly array, but the garments of salvation the robe of righteousness.
Original Hebrew ואתה859 הקרב7126 אליך413 את853 אהרן175 אחיך251 ואת853 בניו1121 אתו854 מתוך8432 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 לכהנו3547 לי אהרן175 נדב5070 ואביהוא30 אלעזר499 ואיתמר385 בני1121 אהרן׃175
