47. Mahli, the son of Mushi] According to xxiii. 23, xxiv. 30, Mushi had a son Mahli, named after Mahli, his brother (verse 19); and the natural conclusion is that the names in these verses (44–47) are the line of descent from Merari through Mushi, as those in verses 29, 30 are through Mahli. Against this simple explanation is the late character of several names from Kishi to Bani (44–46), and therefore the more complex statement made in the previous note may be correct.
48, 49 (= 33, 34 according to the Hebrew division).
The distinction between Levites and Aaronites.
⁴⁸And their brethren the Levites were appointed[¹] for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God.
[¹] Hebrew given. See Numbers iii. 9.
48. their brethren the Levites] i.e. other Levites, who were neither singers nor priests.
appointed] Hebrew, as margin, given, in allusion to Numbers iii. 9, xviii. 6.
⁴⁹But Aaron and his sons offered[¹] upon the altar of burnt offering, and upon the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
[¹] Or, burnt incense.
49. Aaron and his sons] i.e. the priests as opposed to the Levites, in accordance with the distinction characteristic of the later legislation. See the Additional Note, pp. 51, 52.
the altar of burnt offering] Exodus xxvii. 1–8.