Exodus 24:5 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And he sent young men— The Chaldee renders it the first-born; with which agrees the Arabic translation of R. Saadiah and the Persian of Tauasius. The first-born were priests in every family; but, among the Israelites, they were afterwards redeemed, and the whole tribe of Levi, in their stead, given to God, for his service. The Hebrew word נערי naarei, signifies as well those who were active and fit for service, as young in years; and hence Joshua, Moses's minister, and other servants, are often called נערי naarei; see ch. Exodus 33:11.Genesis 14:24; Genesis 22:3. 1 Kings 20:14 and, indeed, as these young men were employed in slaying and offering up the oxen, strength and activity were necessary. Moses himself, however, performed the high and peculiar office of the priest, Exodus 24:6 so that it cannot be concluded from the word, that these young men were priests: but it should be observed, that, even after the appointment of Aaron's family to the priesthood, no man was permitted to serve at the altar after the age of fifty. See Numbers 8:25. In the same manner, among the heathens, young men were employed to lead the sacrifices to the altar, and, no doubt, to perform laborious offices. These, according to the Divine law, any one might perform; but no one was allowed to sprinkle the blood, save only the priest: see Leviticus 3:2; Leviticus 4:24-25.