And to make an atonement for, &c.— The Levites being regularly called to perform the duties of the tabernacle, their service was acceptable to God, and (as figurative of the great Antitype of the whole Levitical Priesthood) averted his displeasure from Israel; which is the meaning of the phrase to make an atonement for, as appears from the following words. So ch. Numbers 25:13. Phineas is said to have made an atonement for Israel, because his pious zeal against two notorious offenders averted the divine judgment from the community. Some have thought, that the phrase signifies, that the Levites were thus accepted in lieu of the people themselves; an opinion which they think the 10th and 11th verses countenance.
In the tabernacle of the congregation— The Levites entered not into the tabernacle. The preposition ב beth, signifies at, before, about, near; in any one of which senses it may be properly used here. See Noldius.