Numbers, Chapter 8

Numbers Chapter 8

Verses 1-26: The Lighting of the Menorah and the Consecration of the Levites

1. The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2. “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.’
3. Aaron did so; he set up its lamps to give light in front of the lampstand, as the LORD commanded Moses.
4. This was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered gold from its base to its flowers; it was hammered work according to the pattern which the LORD had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.
5. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
6. ‘Take the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them.
7. Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purification upon them, and let them shave all their body and wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.
8. Then let them take a young bull with its grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil, and another young bull you shall take for a sin offering.
9. And you shall bring the Levites before the Tent of Meeting, and assemble the whole community of the children of Israel.
10. When you bring the Levites before the LORD, the children of Israel shall lay their hands upon the Levites,
11. and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD as a wave offering from the children of Israel, that they may perform the service of the LORD.
12. Then the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bulls, and you shall offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to the LORD, to make atonement for the Levites.
13. And you shall set the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and offer them as a wave offering to the LORD.
14. Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine.
15. After that, the Levites shall go in to serve at the Tent of Meeting, when you have cleansed them and offered them as a wave offering.
16. For they are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel; instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the children of Israel, I have taken them for Myself.
17. For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are Mine, both man and beast; on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified them for Myself.
18. And I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel.
19. And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel at the Tent of Meeting and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there may be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near the sanctuary.
20. Thus Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel did to the Levites; according to all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the children of Israel did to them.
21. And the Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as a wave offering before the LORD; and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.
22. After that, the Levites went in to perform their service in the Tent of Meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.
23. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
24. ‘This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall enter to perform service in the work of the Tent of Meeting;
25. and from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the service of the work and shall serve no more.
26. They may minister with their brethren in the Tent of Meeting, to keep the charge, but they themselves shall do no work. Thus shall you do to the Levites concerning their charge.’

Interpretation: This passage details the precise instructions for the lighting of the menorah, symbolizing the illumination of divine wisdom, and the consecration of the Levites, setting them apart for holy service to God. It highlights the importance of ritual purity, communal responsibility, and the transition of service from the firstborn to the Levites, emphasizing their role in the spiritual and communal life of Israel.
Commentary: The meticulous procedures for the consecration of the Levites underscore the sanctity of their role and the transition of holy duties within the community. The lighting of the menorah by Aaron, as instructed by God, serves as a perpetual symbol of enlightenment and divine presence among the people. This narrative not only reflects the Levites’ dedication to service but also the community’s involvement in their consecration, illustrating the interconnectedness of individual and communal holiness.