1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.
3 And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
4 And this work of the candlestick [was of] beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, [was] beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
6 Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.
7 And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and [so] make themselves clean.
8 Then let them take a young bullock with his meat offering, [even] fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin offering.
9 And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together:
10 And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites:
11 And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD [for] an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD.
12 And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer the one [for] a sin offering, and the other [for] a burnt offering, unto the LORD, to make an atonement for the Levites.
13 And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them [for] an offering unto the LORD.
14 Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.
15 And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them [for] an offering.
16 For they [are] wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, [even instead of] the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
17 For all the firstborn of the children of Israel [are] mine, [both] man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.
18 And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel.
19 And I have given the Levites [as] a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.
20 And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them.
21 And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them [as] an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.
22 And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.
23 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
24 This [is it] that [belongeth] unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation:
25 And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service [thereof], and shall serve no more:
26 But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.
Overview of Numbers Chapter 8
Numbers Chapter 8 focuses on the consecration of the Levites, the duties of the Levites in relation to the Tabernacle, and the age requirements for their service. This chapter emphasizes the importance of the Levites in the Israelite community and their unique role in the worship and service of God.
Consecration of the Levites
The chapter begins with God instructing Moses on how to consecrate the Levites for their service. This process is significant as it sets the Levites apart from the rest of the Israelites.
- The Levites are to be brought before the Lord as a gift from the Israelites.
- They are to be ceremonially cleansed and presented as a wave offering.
- The Levites will serve in place of the firstborn of the Israelites, who were originally consecrated to God.
Process of Consecration
The process of consecration involves several steps:
- The Levites are to be purified through water and the laying on of hands.
- They are to shave their entire bodies and wash their clothes.
- A bull is to be offered as a sin offering, and another as a burnt offering.
Duties of the Levites
Once consecrated, the Levites are assigned specific duties related to the Tabernacle:
- They are responsible for the care and transportation of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.
- They assist the priests in their duties, ensuring that the rituals and sacrifices are performed correctly.
- The Levites are to guard the Tabernacle and ensure that no unauthorized individuals approach it.
Age Requirement for Service
The chapter also specifies the age at which Levites may begin their service:
- Levites are to begin their service at the age of 25.
- They serve until the age of 50, after which they may assist but not perform the primary duties.
Theological Significance
This chapter highlights several key theological themes:
- The concept of holiness and separation for God’s service.
- The importance of proper worship and the roles designated by God.
- The idea of substitution, as the Levites take the place of the firstborn sons of Israel.
Conclusion
Numbers Chapter 8 provides a detailed account of the consecration and duties of the Levites, emphasizing their vital role in the worship of God among the Israelites. The chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of holiness, structure, and obedience within the community of faith.
