Wesley Corpus

Of men - Which were offered to God in his temple, and to his service and disposal. Those that are to be redeemed - Namely, of men only, not of unclean beasts, as is manifest from the time and price of redemption here mentioned, both which agree to men; the time, Num 18:16, the price, Num 3:46,47, but neither agree to unclean beasts, which were to be redeemed with a sheep, Exo 13:13, and that after it was eight days old. Holy - Namely, in a peculiar manner, consecrated to an holy use, even to be sacrificed to God. Deu 15:19. The flesh - All the flesh of them, and not only some parts, as in other sacrifices. A covenant of salt - A durable and perpetual covenant; so called here and 2Ch 13:5, either, because salt is a sign of incorruption, as being of singular use to preserve things from corruption: or, because it is ratified on their part by salt, which is therefore called the salt of the covenant, for which the priests were obliged to take care, that it should never be lacking from any meat - offering, Lev 2:13. And this privilege conferred upon the priests is called a covenant because it is given them conditionally, upon condition of their service, and care about the worship of God. In their land - In the land of the children of Israel. You shall not have a distinct portion of land, as the other tribes shall. The reason of this law, was, partly because God would have them wholly devoted to his service, and therefore free from worldly incumbrances; partly, because God had abundantly provided for them otherwise, by tithes and first - fruits and oblations; and partly that by this means being dispersed among the several tribes, they might have the better opportunity for teaching and watching over the people. I am thy part - I have appointed thee a liberal maintenance out of my oblations. The tenth - For the tithes were all given to the Levites, and out of their tithes the tenth was given to the priests. Nigh - So nigh as to do any proper act to the priests or Levites. Their iniquity - The punishment due not only for their own, but also for the people's miscarriage, if it be committed through their connivance or negligence.