Numbers 8:26

26 They can attend their brothers in the tent of assembly to keep [their] responsibilities, but they will not do work. This is what you will do concerning the Levities and their responsibilities."

Numbers 8:26 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 8:26

But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of
the congregation
By giving advice, instructing younger Levites, and doing lighter service. Jarchi says, they shall return to shutting of doors, singing and loading wagons; but the last especially seems too burdensome: the ministry of such is explained by the next clause, to keep the charge;
of the tabernacle, to watch and observe that no stranger or unclean person enter into it; and this they were capable of when at the age of fifty, and upwards: and shall do no service;
heavy and laborious: thus thou shall do unto the Levites touching their charge;
dismiss them from service when at such an age, or however make their service easier; for this respects ancient men, as Aben Ezra notes; though it may include both their entrance on their work, and their cessation from it.

Numbers 8:26 In-Context

24 "This [is] what is for the Levites: {those twenty-five years old} and above will come to help [with the] service in the work of the tent of assembly;

25 and {those fifty years old} will return from the service of the work and will serve no longer.

26 They can attend their brothers in the tent of assembly to keep [their] responsibilities, but they will not do work. This is what you will do concerning the Levities and their responsibilities."

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew "he"
• [b]. Or "assist"
• [c]. Hebrew "he"