Bible Commentaries
Numbers 8

Verses 1-26

The Lighting of the Golden Lamps. The Consecration of the Levites

1-4. See on Exodus 25:31-40; Exodus 27:20, Exodus 27:21.

5-26. This is the fulfilment of the injunetion in Numbers 3:5 to Numbers 13:7. Water of purifying] RV ’of expiation.’ This ceremonial cleansing symbolised the inward purity required in those who bore the vessels of the Lord.

II. Offer the Levites. for an offering of the children of Israel] RV ’offer (lit. ’wave’) the Levites.. for a wave offering, on the behalf of the children of Israel.’ The Levites were solemnly set apart by the representatives of the people laying their hands upon them, and they were also ’waved’ before the Lord as being that portion of the nation specially devoted to the service of God. How the ’waving’ was done is not certain, whether the Levites were led backwards and forwards by Aaron in the direction of the Holy of Holies, or whether Aaron merely waved his hands over them: see on Exodus 29:24.

16. The Levites are accepted as the substitutes in the service of the tabernacle for the firstborn among the children of Israel, who are now redeemed by a money payment of five shekels: see Exodus 13:13 and cp. Numbers 18:15, Numbers 18:16.

19. Plague] see on Numbers 1:53. When.. come nigh] RM ’through coming nigh.’

24. Twenty and five years] see on Numbers 4:3.