Numbers 8:5-22 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 8:5-26

We read before of the separating of the Levites from among the children of Israel when they were numbered, and the numbering of them by themselves (Num. 3:6; 15), that they might be employed in the service of the tabernacle. Now here we have directions given for their solemn ordination (Num. 8:6), and the performance of it, Num. 8:20. All Israel must know that they took not this honour to themselves, but were called of God to it; nor was it enough that they were distinguished from their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:6

Take the Levites from among the children of Israel ,.... Among whom they were mixed, as were all the tribes mixed together as Aben Ezra says, before they took their journey from Mount Sinai; however, from hence forward, they were distinguished from Israelites, as they are both in Scripture and in Jewish writings; see 1 Chronicles 9:2 ; though this seems to design no other but their appointment and separation to their work and service, as ministers to the priests of the Lord; and so as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:7

And thus shall thou do unto them, to cleanse them ,.... Or order Aaron to do unto them; the cleansing of the Levites was the work of Aaron, either by himself or by his order; in which he was a type of Christ, who is the refiner and purifier of the sons of Levi, Malachi 3:3 , sprinkle water of purifying upon them ; or "water of sin" F14 מי חטאת "aquas peccati", Montanus; "aquam peccati", Piscator, Drusius; "the sin water", Ainsworth. ; water which purifies from sin, in a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:8

Then let them take a young bullock ,.... Of two years old, as the Jewish writers gather from the other in the next clause, being called the second; though the wise men say one of three years old is fit for such a sacrifice; nay, others say, if four or five years old; but the decision is according to the wise men F17 Misn. Parah, c. 1. sect. 2. & Bartenora in ib. . with his meat offering, even fine flour mingled with oil : which always went along with a burnt offering, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:10

And thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord ,.... From the door of the tabernacle, to the altar of burnt offering, where the Lord was in some sense present to accept the sacrifices offered to him: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites ; as were used to be put upon sacrifices, for the Levites were themselves offered for an offering of the children of Israel, as is expressed in Numbers 8:11 ; by which rite they signified that they voluntarily parted with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:11

And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord ,.... Or "wave" F18 והניף "et motabit", Tigurine version; "et faciet elevare", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; "et agitabit", Drusius; "et agitato", Piscator. them, as a wave offering, which was moved to and fro, backwards and forwards; not that they were actually so waved and moved to and fro by Aaron, which could not be done by him; though it is possible he might make such a motion himself, and they might do the like after him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:12

And the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bullocks ,.... Or "on the head" F19 על ראש "super caput", Tigurine version. Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius. ; on the head of everyone of them, as Aben Ezra, thereby, as it were, transferring their sins to them, for these were to make atonement for them, as the latter part of the verse shows; and this was a figure of the imputation of sin to Christ, and taught that doctrine, and led the faith of the offerers to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:13

And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons ,.... After atonement was made for them, as Aben Ezra observes; then they were presented to Aaron and his sons, to whom they were given to he their ministers, and assistants to them: and offer them for an offering unto the Lord : or, and "waved them", &c.; as before, that is, order them to be waved; for not Moses, but Aaron, did this, and indeed was done already; and therefore should rather be rendered, as by Bishop... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 8:5-26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 8:13

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