Numbers 8:5

Consecration of the Levites

5 The Lord spoke to Moses:

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 So Aaron did this; he set up its lamps [to give light] in front of the lampstand just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

4 This is the way the lampstand was made: it was a hammered work of gold, hammered from its base to its flower petals. The lampstand was made according to the pattern the Lord had shown Moses.

5 The Lord spoke to Moses:

6 "Take the Levites from among the Israelites and ceremonially cleanse them.

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