But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt offerings. Therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was ended, and until the priests had sanctified themselves, for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 34. Holocausts, as the law required. Leviticus 1:6. See Calmet. 35:11. The skin might be taken off other victims, by laics.—Priests. Syr. “The Levites were more timid, or reserved than the priests, to purify themselves.” Calmet.—Both are indirectly accused of negligence. Calmet. 30:15. The Hebrew seems to give the preference to the latter, “for the Levites were more upright of heart, (Septuagint willing) to purify themselves than the priests.” But the Alex. Septuagint may well agree with the Vulg. The ceremonies attending the purification of both, may be seen Exodus 29:1. Numbers 8:6. Bible.—The priests had not sufficient time to collect themselves with the purity required, on such a short warning; and the paucity induced the king to put off the Passover till the next month. Calmet. 30:3. 15.