1 Chronicles Chapter 23    

“by a headcount.” The Hebrew is literally, “by their skulls.”

“But Aaron was set apart, he and his sons.” The sons of Aaron were set apart by God to be the priests of Israel, while the sons of Moses were Levites who ministered in the Tabernacle and later the Temple.

“But Aaron was set apart to sanctify him as most holy.” The commentators differ on the meaning of the Hebrew text. The two basic ideas are: “The sons of Amram were Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to be consecrated as most holy, he and his sons forever, to offer sacrifice before the LORD” (NAB). Or, “The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to dedicate the most holy things, that he and his sons forever should make offerings before the LORD” (ESV). The word “sanctify” has the third masculine pronoun, literally, “to sanctify him,” which tends to indicate that it is Aaron who is being sanctified to do the work of Yahweh, and to bless others in Yahweh’s name.

“named.” The idea is “counted” or “numbered.” The male descendants of Moses were Levites.

“These were the sons of Levi...from 20 years old and older.” This verse starts a new section of Levites who were enrolled in the service of Yahweh from 20 years old and older, in contrast to the list above which were the Levites who had been in service from 30 years and older (1 Chron. 23:3). It seems these younger Levites were assistants to the priests (cp. 1 Chron. 23:28).

“by a headcount.” The Hebrew is literally, “by their skulls.”

“numbered for service.” That is, they were counted as part of the Levites who served in the Tabernacle and Temple.

“the Bread of the Presence.” The Bread of the Presence was large cakes of bread that were in the Tabernacle and Temple (see commentary on Exod. 25:30).

“wafers.” The Hebrew refers to thin unleavened bread, matzah. It is not really a “wafer” in the modern sense of the word, but it is a small, baked unleavened flatbread.

“mixed with oil.” The translation “mixed with oil” is most likely what the Hebrew text and custom refer to, and many modern versions read that way. Some versions read “soaked” or “moistened,” which happened in the mixing, and some just refer to what is “mixed,” but the grain offering was mixed with oil (Lev. 2:4).

“and for all measurements of quantity and size.” David knew how important it was in a kingdom to have accurate weights and measures to ensure fair trade, and he officially put the Levites in charge of standardizing weights and measures. They were likely unofficially in charge of that earlier, but that is not clear. Early in history, weights and measures often varied from town to town. See commentary on Leviticus 19:35.

“and for all the burnt offerings.” The Levites did not burn the burnt offering, they assisted the priests in the work of the burnt offering.