Numbers 8

Laws concerning the lightning of the Lamps upon the Candlestick, ver. 1. Etc. and the cleansing of the Levites, 5. Who are put into the place of the first-born, and joined to the Priests to serve them, 16. Of the age wherein the Levites were to enter into their Ministry and, when to go out, 23. Showing withal, what they were to do after, 26.

1. And the LORD spoke to Moseh, saying:

2. Speak to Aaron, and say to him: when thou shalt kindle the Lamps, [Heb. cause the Lamps to arise] the seven Lamps shall shine right over against the Candlestick, [Heb. over against the face of the Candlestick, i.e. on both sides of the body of the Candlestick, which had six reeds or branches issuing forth the same, and on a top which being lighted, they cast their light on the sides of the Candlestick. See Exodus 25:37.]

3. And Aaron did so; he kindled the Lamps thereof, over against before the Candlestick, even as the LORD had commanded Moseh.

4. This work now of the Candlestick was of massy gold, [i.e wrought all out of one lump or mass of gold, and not joined or smothered together by piece-meal, of several parts or joints. See Exod. 25. On v. 31.] unto his stem unto his flowers it was massy, according to the fashion [Heb. regard, aspect, hue, i.e. fashion or pattern] which the LORD had showed Moseh, [viz. on the mount Exodus 25:40.] so he had made the Candlestick.

5. And the LORD spoke to Moseh, saying;

6. Take the Levites out of the midst of the children of Israel, and cleanse them. [Which was done when the Levites, being solemnly set apart for the service of the LORD, and separated from the rest of the Tribes, were sprinkled with the sin-water, and shaved, and their cloths washed, and sacrifices offered for them. See further hereof in the following verses.]

7. And thus shalt thou do to them to cleanse them, sprinkle upon them water of expiation, [i.e. water for to unsin, i.e. to cleanse and purify them from sins, according to the Ceremonial Law. Of this water see below v. 19. Where it is called a water of separation] and they shall let their razor go over all their flesh, and shall wash their clothes and cleanse themselves.

8. After that shall they take a bullock, a young one: [Heb. the Son of a bullock, and so in the sequel] with his meat-offering of meal-flower, mixed with Oil, and another bullock, a young one, thou shalt take for a sin-offering.

9. And thou shalt cause the Levites to approach before the Tent of the Congregation, and thou shalt cause the whole Congregation of the children of Israel to assemble?

10. Yea thou shalt cause the Levites to approach before the Tent of the Congregation: and the children of Israel shall lay their hands upon the Levites: [Understand the chief of the Tribes, and some of the principal rank among them, who were used to transact and execute such public affairs in the name and behalf of all the Congregation. Of the laying on of hands, see Genesis 48:14. And Lev. 1. On ver. 4.]

11. And Aaron shall wave the Levites, [i.e. offer up, give and dedicate them] for a wave-offering [See of the wave-offering properly called thus, Lev. 17. On v. 30. But it seemeth the Hebrew word is generally taken for anything offered and dedicated to God, in which sense ye find it used, Exodus 35:22. And chapter 28. 24, 29 and here in the following verses, 13, 15, and 21. Although the first signification (according to some) may likewise take place here, viz. that they were waved towards the four parts of the world] before the face of the LORD, in the behalf (or because) of the children of Israel, that they may be for to administer the service of the LORD.

12. And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullocks, after that prepare thou one for a sin-offering, and one for a burnt-offering to the LORD, to make Expiation over the Levites.

13. And thou shalt put the Levites before the face of Aaron, and before the face of his sons, and thou shalt wave them for a wave-offering to the LORD.

14. And thou shalt sever forth the Levites out of the midst of the children of Israel, that the Levites may be mine.

15. And after that the Levites shall come into serve the Tent of the Congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and shalt wave them for (a) wave-offering. [Oth. When thou shalt have cleansed them, etc.]

16. For they are given [So above chapter 3. V. 9.] they are given me, out of midst of the children of Israel: for the opening of every womb [see above chapter 3. On v. 12.] for the first-born of every one of the children of Israel, have I taken them to me.

17. For all the first-born among the children of Israel is mine, among men and beasts, on that day when I smote all the first-born of the land of Egypt, have I hallowed them unto me.

18. And I have taken the Levites, for all the first-born among the children of Israel.

19. And I have given the Levites, Aaron and his sons, for a gift [Heb. given, given them] out of the midst of the children of Israel, for to administer the service of the children of Israel in the Tent of the Congregation, and to make expiation for the children of Israel: [i.e. that by their persons they may supply the place & function of the firstborn of the Israelites. See above, ch. 3. On v. 7. And by their ministry administer the expiatory offerings. Which above all others were to be performed on all occasions] that there may be no plague among the children of Israel, if the children of Israel should draw near to the Sanctuary. [Which the Levites therefore were to perform in their half; an example of such a plague we have in King Uziah 2 Chron. 26. 16.]

20. And Moseh and Aaron and all the Congregation of the children of Israel did on the Levites: according to all that the LORD had commanded Moseh of the Levites, so the children of Israel did on them.

21. And the Levites unsinned themselves, [Which according to the Ceremonial Law, was done by washings, sprinklings and sacrifices, Leviticus 15:13, 14, 15. Numbers 19:11. 12, etc.] and washed their cloth, and Aaron waved them for a wave offering [see above on v. 11.] before the face of the LORD; and Aaron made expiation over them to cleanse them.

22. And after that the Levites came to administer the service in the Tent of the Congregation, before the face of his sons: according as the LORD had commanded Moseh of the Levites, so they did on them.

23. And the LORD spoke to Moseh, saying:

24. This is that which concerneth the Levites of five and twenty years old and upward, shall they come into fight the fight [See above chapter 4. On v. 3.] in the service of the Tent of the Congregation. [The Levites in regard of their regard of their age were divided into four ranks or degrees; The first sort from their infancy to their five and twenty year were Scholars and Apprentices, and instructed in the things concerning the Law and their functions. The second, from twenty five to thirty years, began to put their hands to the work, and to practice what they had learned. The third sort from thirty years to fifty, administered the whole service of the Levitical Office completely. The fourth sort being come once to fifty and upwards, were free of the handy-work of the Ministry, having nevertheless the care and oversight of those which were in actual service. Compare above chapter 3. The Annot. On v. 15.]

25. But from being fifty years old, he shall go off from the Warfare of this service, and he shall serve no more.

26. Yet he shall serve with his brethren, [viz. the rest of the Levites, employed in the Tabernacle, and not being come to that age of fifty years] in the Tent of the Congregation, for to take care of (or, observe) the Guard. [i.e. for to look to, and have an inspection on those which did serve in the Tabernacle, to the end, that all things might be done and performed with good order and edification, according to the Laws of God, in that behalf. Others, to be helpful to them in their Ministry] but he shall not administer the Service: thus shalt thou do to the Levites in their Guards.