Numbers 8:1-8

1 The LORD spoke to Moshe, saying,

2 "Speak to Aharon, and tell him, 'When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the menorah.'"

3 Aharon did so. He lit its lamps to light the area in front of the menorah, as the LORD commanded Moshe.

4 This was the workmanship of the menorah, beaten work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was beaten work: according to the pattern which the LORD had shown Moshe, so he made the menorah.

5 The LORD spoke to Moshe, saying,

6 "Take the Levites from among the children of Yisra'el, and cleanse them.

7 Thus shall you do to them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of cleansing on them, let them shave their whole bodies with a razor, and let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.

8 Then let them take a young bull, and its meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil; and another young bull you shall take for a sin offering.

Numbers 8:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 8

In this chapter orders are given for the lighting the seven lamps of the candlestick, Nu 8:1-4; and for the consecration of the Levites to their office, by a purification of them, Nu 8:5-8; by a separation of them from the children of Israel, and the imposition of their hands on them, and of the hands of the Levites on the offerings offered for them, Nu 8:9-15; and being thus given to the Lord, and claimed as his, instead of the firstborn of Israel, they are given to Aaron and his sons to do service in the tabernacle, Nu 8:16-22; and their age at which they were to enter into service and cease from it is fixed, Nu 8:23-26.