(13) And Aaron was separated.--Aaron and his sons, as priests, are thus excluded from present consideration. They form the proper subject of 1Chronicles 25:1-19, and are only mentioned here for the sake of completeness in the reckoning.

That he should sanctify the most holy-things.--Rather, to hallow (or consecrate) him as most holy; literally, holy of holies (qodesh q?d?shim), an expression not applied to Aaron in any other passage of Scripture. The meaning is that the priests represented a higher grade of holiness, a more thorough consecration, than the mere Levites, because they were called to the discharge of a higher and holier ministry.

He and his sons.--All the priests are included with Aaron.

To burn incense.--The Hebrew term means to burn victims as well as incense.

To minister unto him, and to bless in his name--The same words occur (Deuteronomy 10:8) with reference to the purpose for which the tribe of Levi was "separated." The tribe obviously includes the Aaronite clan. (Comp. also Deuteronomy 21:5.)

And to bless in his name.--This appears right from Numbers 6:23. Others render, and to bless His name.

Verse 13. - The sons of Amram. From Amram, the first-mentioned son of Kohath, come the two great names of Aaron and Moses (Exodus 6:20). Aaron was separated,... and his sons for ever. This statement must be read, both with ver. 3 - into the number of Levites mentioned in which Aaron and his sons do not count - and with ver. 14, which implies that Moses and his sons did count into that number. The sons of Aaron are dealt with in 1 Chronicles 24:1-19, infra. That he should sanctify the most holy things. The Hebrew text renders it doubtful whether the rendering here should not rather be, "Aaron was separated to sanctify him as most holy," etc. If it be so, this is the only place where the forcible term, "holy of holies" (most holy), is used of Aaron. The duties of the priest are described as threefold, in this place, viz.: "to burn incense before the Lord," - this will carry the idea of making atonement; "to minister to God," on behalf of man, ? this will be one part of the work of a mediator; and "to bless in the Name of God," - this will fulfil the remaining part. For ever. The proviso may, no doubt, include reference to the "ever-living High Priest." The threefold summary of solemn and beneficent duties receives ample illustration from many passages, and in special connection with the names of Aaron and his sons (Exodus 28:1, 38, 43; Exodus 29:1, 35, 45; Exodus 30:7-10; Numbers 6:22-27).

23:1-23 David, having given charge concerning the building of the temple, settles the method of the temple service, and orders the officers of it. When those of the same family were employed together, it would engage them to love and assist one another.The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses,.... A son of Kohath, 1 Chronicles 23:2.

and Aaron was separated; from the children of Israel, Exodus 28:1,

that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever; by an holy use of them, and keeping them from all unholy and profane uses; and this they were to do as long as the Aaronic priesthood lasted:

to burn incense before the Lord; in the holy place, on the altar of incense; which none but priests descended from Aaron might do:

to minister unto him; both at the altar of burnt offering and of incense; and the high priest in the holy of holies:

and to bless his name for ever, or "in his name"; that is, the people in his name; see Numbers 6:23.