Numbers 8:9

9 And thou shalt offer the Levites before the tabernacle of the testimony, and thou shalt gather the whole congregation of the sons of Israel together;

Numbers 8:9 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 8:9

And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the
congregation
Not without it, but within it, in the court of the tabernacle, at least at the door of it, where stood the altar of burnt offering, on which sacrifices for them were now to be offered:

and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel
together;
the heads of the tribes, and elders of the people, as Aben Ezra interprets this phrase in ( Leviticus 8:3 ) ; where the whole congregation is said to be assembled at the consecration of the priests, as here at the consecration of the Levites, having a concern therein, as well as to be spectators and witnesses of this solemn affair; and no doubt as many of them as could conveniently assemble at the door of the tabernacle did, though every individual of that large body of people could not possibly do it.

Numbers 8:9 In-Context

7 And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of atonement for sin upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and be clean.

8 Then let them take a young bullock with his present, even fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shalt thou offer as sin.

9 And thou shalt offer the Levites before the tabernacle of the testimony, and thou shalt gather the whole congregation of the sons of Israel together;

10 and thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD, and the sons of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites;

11 and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for a wave offering of the sons of Israel, and they shall serve in the ministry of the LORD.