Numbers 8:5

5 And the Lord spake to Moses, and said,

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, and he putted the lanterns upon the candlestick (and he put the lanterns on the lamp-stand), as the Lord commanded to Moses.

4 Soothly this was the making of the candlestick; it was of gold beaten out with hammers, as well the middle stalk, as all the things that came forth on ever either side of the rods; by the sample which the Lord showed to Moses, so he wrought the candlestick. (And this was the making of the lamp-stand; it was made of gold, beaten out with hammers, the middle stem, as well as all of its branches; by the example, or the pattern, which the Lord had shown to Moses, so he made the lamp-stand.)

5 And the Lord spake to Moses, and said,

6 Take thou the Levites from the midst of the sons of Israel; and thou shalt cleanse them by this custom. (Take thou the Levites from the midst of the Israelites; and thou shalt cleanse, or shalt purify, them by this rite.)

7 Be they sprinkled with (the) water of cleansing, or of purification, and shave they all the hairs of their flesh. And when they have washed their clothes and be cleansed,