[Seemeth it but] a small thing unto you
It should not; for it was a great thing which the Lord had done for them, and with which they should have been satisfied, and for it thankful:
that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of
Israel:
this was a special favour, and ought to have been esteemed such, that God, who was the God of the whole people of Israel in common, should separate the tribe of Levi from all the rest of the tribes of Israel:
to bring you near to himself;
next to the priests their brethren of the same tribe, to be joined to them, and assist them in their service, and officiate in the court of the tabernacle, where the divine Majesty dwelt:
to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord;
to watch it, and guard it, and keep out persons until to enter into it; to take it down and set it up, as occasion required, and bear and carry the holy things in it, and take care of them:
and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?
which Jarchi interprets of their singing in the desk songs of praise before them; but Aben Ezra, better, of the service they did for them, when they brought their offerings and sacrifices, which they took of them, and carried to the priests to offer for them.