John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. [Seemeth it but] a small thing unto you , etc.] It should not; for it was a great thing which the Lord had done for them, and with which they should have been satisfied, and for it thankful: that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel : this was a special favour, and ought to have been esteemed such, that God, who was the God of the whole people of Israel in common, should separate the tribe of Levi from all the rest of the tribes of Israel: to bring you near to himself ; next to the priests their brethren of the same tribe, to be joined to them, and assist them in their service, and officiate in the court of the tabernacle, where the divine Majesty dwelt: to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord ; to watch it, and guard it, and keep out persons until to enter into it; to take it down and set it up, as occasion required, and bear and carry the holy things in it, and take care of them: and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them ? which Jarchi interprets of their singing in the desk songs of praise before them; but Aben Ezra, better, of the service they did for them, when they brought their offerings and sacrifices, which they took of them, and carried to the priests to offer for them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - Pride and ambition occasion a great deal of mischief both in churche and states. The rebels quarrel with the settlement of the priesthoo upon Aaron and his family. Small reason they had to boast of the people's purity, or of God's favour, as the people had been so ofte and so lately polluted with sin, and were now under the marks of God' displeasure. They unjustly charge Moses and Aaron with taking honour to themselves; whereas they were called of God to it. See here, 1. What spirit levellers are of; those who resist the powers God has set ove them. 2. What usage they have been serviceable. Moses sough instruction from God. The heart of the wise studies to answer, and ask counsel of God. Moses shows their privileges as Levites, and convict them of the sin of undervaluing these privileges. It will help to kee us from envying those above us, duly to consider how many there ar below us.
Original Hebrew המעט4592 מכם4480 כי3588 הבדיל914 אלהי430 ישׂראל3478 אתכם853 מעדת5712 ישׂראל3478 להקריב7126 אתכם853 אליו413 לעבד5647 את853 עבדת5656 משׁכן4908 יהוה3068 ולעמד5975 לפני6440 העדה5712 לשׁרתם׃8334
