Let the priests also— It is very extraordinary to observe how some expositors have perplexed themselves and others, in settling what is meant by the word priests here: for, as Aaron and his sons were not consecrated to the priestly office, or the tribe of Levi set apart, they have imagined, that therefore the Israelites, though so vast a multitude, and though the descendants of those patriarchs who always possessed the true knowledge of God, had now no priests or regular religious services; a notion, which the tenor of our observations serves amply to explode. And upon this supposition, that there were no priests before the consecration of Aaron, &c. some have absurdly imagined, that the priests here mentioned, were the first-born devoted to God, ch. 13: Strange! that they did not recollect that this command, for the sanctification of the first-born, had not yet been in force fifty days. Struck, most likely, with the absurdity of this, others have conceived, that the word rendered priests, signifies here, as it sometimes does, princes; though it is plain, that the following words very fully explain its meaning, and confine it to such as ministered in holy things: let the priests, who come near to the Lord; i.e. who approach him ordinarily in the common services of religion; let even these, sanctify themselves; keep themselves in a state of peculiar purity and elevation of mind.
Lest the Lord break forth upon them— As the words break through are used in the former verse, it is to be wished that פרצ peretz, had been rendered, as it signifies, burst forth with violence:—Lest the Lord burst forth with violence upon them; causing the dreadful fire, wherewith he is surrounded, to rush violently upon them, and consume them.