Matthew Poole and continuators on Deuteronomy 10:8

8 At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name unto this day.

About that time, i. e. when I was come down from the mount, as was said v. 5. For these words manifestly look to that verse, the 6, and 7. verses being put in by way of parenthesis▪ as was said before. Or, if it relate to the words immediately foregoing, this may be meant of a second separation of them upon Aarons Death, and having mentioned the separation of Eleazar to the Office of the high Priest in his Fathers stead, v. 6. he now repeats it, that the Levites who were his, as they had been his Fathers Servants, were separated as before, or were confirmed in their office.

A phrase used concerning the Prophets, 1 King. 17. 1. and 18. 15. this being the posture of Ministers. Hence the Angels are said to stand, 2 Chron. 18. 18. Luk. 1. 1[illegible: 1+ letters].

Either 1. Particularly, to pronounce the solemn blessing of God upon the Congregation, which was done in Gods name, of which see Levit. 9. 23. Numb. 6. 23, &c. But that work was peculiar to the Priests, not common to all the Levites, or more generally, to bless. Either 1. God, i. e. to praise him, which being a considerable part of the Levite[illegible: 1+ letters] work, 1 Chron. 10. it is not probable▪ it would be omitted here, where their Office is so particularly described. Or, 2. The people, whom they did bless by performance of those holy ministrations for the people, and giving those instructions to them▪ to which Gods blessing was promised, and usually given; and this they did in Gods name, i. e. by command, and commission from him.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 3. 6. & [illegible: 1 word] & 8. 14.