Numbers 8

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 8 of 36

1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,

2 Speak to Aaron and say to him, When you go up with the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in the front of the lampstand.

3 And Aaron did so. He went up with its lamps in front of the lampstand, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

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Chapter Summary

Instructions for lighting the lampstand are given. The Levites are consecrated for service through cleansing rituals and wave offerings. The age limits for Levitical service are established (25-50 years old).

Key Hebrew Words

מְנוֹרָה lampstand H4501 · TWOT 1333c
טָהֵר cleanse, purify H2891 · TWOT 792
תְּנוּפָה wave offering H8573 · TWOT 1330b
בְּכוֹר firstborn H1060 · TWOT 244a
כָּפַר atone H3722 · TWOT 1024
עֲבֹדָה service H5656 · TWOT 1553c

People & Context

Moses

Receives Jehovah's commands to light the lamps and to consecrate the Levites

Aaron

High priest who sets up the lamps and waves the Levites as a wave offering before Jehovah

Timeline

Lampstand Setup

Jehovah commands Moses to have Aaron arrange the seven lamps on the golden lampstand. Aaron sets them up so they give light in front of the lampstand, exactly as patterned.

Numbers 8:1-4
Levite Consecration Ceremony

Moses is instructed to cleanse the Levites with sprinkling water, shaving, and washing their garments. They are waved as a wave offering by Aaron and presented with bull sacrifices to make atonement and dedicate them wholly to God's service.

Numbers 8:5-22
Age Limits for Levite Service

Jehovah establishes the working age for Levites to serve in the tabernacle as twenty-five to fifty years old. After fifty, they must retire from heavy service but may still assist their brothers in keeping the charge.

Numbers 8:23-26

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