Numbers 8

2. When thou lightest. This, the Jews say, was done by fire from the altar; the middle lamp being first lighted, and the rest from that.—over against the candlestick. That is, to the part of the tabernacle in front of the candlestick, which stood on the south side, and which was the only means of lighting the interior when the curtains in front were let down.

3 the whole assembly. Probably by their representatives; either the elders or some of the firstborn, in whose place the Levites were consecrated. The whole assembly was gathered because all the people were interested in the transaction. The same was the case at the consecration of the priests (Lev. viii. 3, 4).

11. Aaron shall offer, etc. Heb., “wave the Levites for a wave offering,” i.e., dedicate them. See Exod. xxix. 24. This was probably done by some significant gestures or movements, similar to those used with the ordinary wave offering. Cp. Rom. xii. 1.