Numbers 8:5

Cleansing the Levites

5 Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Numbers 8:5 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 8:5

And the Lord spake unto Moses
the same time the order about lighting the lamps was given; and this section is joined to the former, Aben Ezra thinks, to show that Aaron employed himself in lighting the lamps, but in the rest of the services the Levites helped him, and stood before him to do what he commanded them: they were ordered to be taken and given to Aaron before; and they were numbered, and their services appointed to each division of them; and now they are ordered to be ordained and consecrated to their office:

saying;
as follows.

Numbers 8:5 In-Context

3 And Aaron did so; he set up the lamps facing toward the front of the lampstand, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

4 This is how the lampstand was constructed: it was made of hammered gold from its base to its blossoms, fashioned according to the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.

5 Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

6 “Take the Levites from among the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean.

7 This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.