Fragments on Numbers
The Levites' tithe and Aaron as type of Christ§1
Cyril opens his commentary on Numbers by explaining the command that the Levites receive an offering, then shows how Aaron prefigures Christ.
1“Take away from it an offering” (Numbers 18:26). Those who were called to serve as priests according to the law of Moses received tithes from the sons of Israel as their portion and inheritance from God. They in turn offered a tenth to the one who presided over and led the priesthood, that is, to Aaron. He has also been set as a type of Christ, ministering not in the first tabernacle, the one that has its visible structure, but in the inner and hidden one.
“Take the rod and assemble the congregation” (Numbers 20:8). Observe that, God confirms their faith by directing them to remember the wonders worked in Egypt by saying, “Take the rod in your hand, with which you struck the river” (Exodus 7:20, LXX). And soon after: Christ is compared to a rock because of its unbreakable and unshakable nature.
Greek · §1
The Greek is on each section page: §1
The Levites' tithes as God's portion§2
Cyril is opening his commentary on Numbers by quoting the command about the offering and explaining that the Levitical priests received tithes from Israel as their share from God.
2“Take away from it an offering” (Numbers 18:26). Those who were called to serve as priests according to the law of Moses received tithes from the sons of Israel as their portion and inheritance from God.
Greek · §2
The Greek is on each section page: §2
The Levites' Tenth to Aaron as a Type of Christ§3
Cyril is explaining how the Levitical priests, after receiving tithes from Israel, in turn offered a tenth to Aaron, the head of the priesthood, who prefigures Christ.
3They themselves offered the tithe to the one who presided over and led the priesthood, that is, to Aaron. He has been set as a type of Christ, ministering not in the first tabernacle, the one that has its standing place, but in the inner and hidden one. “Take the rod and assemble the congregation” (Numbers 20:8).
Greek · §3
The Greek is on each section page: §3
The rod as confirmation of faith and Christ as rock§4
Cyril is closing his fragments on Numbers by explaining how the command about the rod confirms faith and how Christ is compared to a rock.
4Observe that, to confirm their faith, he recalls the wonders in Egypt, saying, “Take the rod in your hand, with which you struck the river” (Exodus 17:5). And soon after: Christ is compared to a rock because of its unbreakable and unshakable nature.
Greek · §4
The Greek is on each section page: §4