Numbers 3:9 - Exposition

They are wholly given unto him. The word nethunim (wholly given) is emphatic here, and in Numbers 8:16 . As the whole house of Israel at large, so especially (for a reason which will presently appear) the tribe of Levi belonged absolutely to God; and he, as absolutely, made them over to Aaron and the priests for the service of his sanctuary. Cf. Ephesians 4:11 , "gave some apostles," etc. The Levites, as gifts from God ( nethunim ) to their brethren the priests, must be distinguished from the nethinim or serfs of foreign extraction given by the congregation to the Levites to do their most menial work for them ( Joshua 9:27 ).