Numbers 3:9

Aaron. Aaron and his sons became the instructors of the Levites. They were the ones to whom the Levites were responsible in the discharge of their duties.

Wholly given. From nethunim nethunim, literally, “given given,” a typically Hebrew expression; the related word nethinim, “dedicated,” was later applied to foreigners who became servants of the Temple in the time of Ezra (Ezra 7:24; etc.). They are believed by some to have been descendants of the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:27).

They are many helpful lessons to be found with respect to the details of the organization of the priests and the Levites. The Levites were “wholly given” to Aaron as high priest, that is, they were under his full control. The fully surrendered Christian, completely in Christ’s hands, controlled and energized by the Holy Spirit, is of the “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9).

The Levites were to give all of their time and strength to cooperating with Aaron in the ministry of the sanctuary. The believer today is to cooperate with Christ for the spiritual health and growth of the church. A price was paid to redeem the first-born (see on vs. 12, 13). Christ paid the price of His blood to redeem sinners. Those that enter into the church, and live by faith, are enrolled in the books of heaven.

Out of the children of Israel. The entire tribe of Levi belonged to God and was given to His sacred service. Similarly various types of workers in the Christian church are spoken of as “given” (Eph. 4:11).