Numbers 8

9–11 After the Levites were purified with water, they were brought in front of the tabernacle where representatives of the Israelite community were instructed to lay their hands on them (verse 10). This signified that the Levites were being substituted for the firstborn sons of Israel—that is, they were being offered to the Lord in place of Israel’s firstborn. Aaron was then to present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering²⁸ (verse 11).

12–14 The final part of the Levites’ cleansing was the atonement of their sins by the sacrifice of a bull for a sin offering (Leviticus 4:1–2,13–21) and another bull for a burnt offering (Leviticus 1:1–17). The Levites were to lay their hands on the bull, just as the Israelites had laid their hands on the Levites (verse 10)—to signify that a substitution was taking place. In this case, the bulls were being substituted for the Levites to take the punishment for their sins.²⁹

15–18 See Numbers 3:5–13 and comment.

19 This verse describes the two main functions of the Levites: first, to do the heavy work of the tabernacle on behalf of the Israelites; and second, to make atonement for them (the Israelites) by being substitutes for the firstborn of Israel. If an ordinary Israelite came near the tabernacle, he was liable to die, to be struck by plague. By doing the tabernacle work in place of the Israelites, the Levites were in effect taking the punishment upon themselves; they were“making atonement”for the Israelites. Of course, the Levites weren’t actually punished; they had been appointed by God to serve in this capacity. This was just another example of God’s mercy in protecting ordinary Israelites from the danger of coming too close to the tabernacle (see Numbers 1:51–54; 4:17–20 and comments).

20–26 Everything was carried out just as the Lord had commanded. An age limit was set on the formal service of the Levites (verses 24–25); they were to begin work at twenty-five years of age (the first five years as apprentices) and stop at fifty. Too young a man might be irresponsible; too old a man might be weak or unsteady and accidentally drop or touch a holy object (see Numbers 4:1–3 and comment).