Leviticus 8 4

Leviticus 8:4 kjv

And Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Leviticus 8:4 nkjv

So Moses did as the LORD commanded him. And the congregation was gathered together at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

Leviticus 8:4 niv

Moses did as the LORD commanded him, and the assembly gathered at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

Leviticus 8:4 esv

And Moses did as the LORD commanded him, and the congregation was assembled at the entrance of the tent of meeting.

Leviticus 8:4 nlt

So Moses followed the LORD's instructions, and the whole community assembled at the Tabernacle entrance.

Leviticus 8 verses

Leviticus 8 4 Meaning

Leviticus 8:4 describes Moses' direct and faithful execution of God's command regarding the assembly of the entire Israelite community. This act was a crucial prerequisite for the subsequent ordination ceremony of Aaron and his sons as priests, which was to take place publicly at the entrance of the tent of meeting, the divinely appointed sanctuary where God would commune with His people. The verse highlights both divine authority and human obedience, alongside the corporate participation of the congregation in this foundational event for their spiritual life and worship.

Leviticus 8 4 Context

Leviticus chapter 8 is a pivotal moment, following the instructions for establishing the Tabernacle in Exodus and setting the stage for its service. Specifically, Leviticus 8:4 serves as the critical transition point where divine commands translate into immediate human action. In the preceding verses (Lev 8:1-3), God specifically instructed Moses to bring Aaron and his sons, along with the garments, anointing oil, and sacrificial animals, and "assemble the whole congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting." Moses’ swift and precise obedience in this verse (Lev 8:4) is foundational for the sacred ceremonies that follow in the chapter, which include the consecration, washing, anointing, and sacrificing to officially inaugurate the Aaronic priesthood. Historically, this event took place in the wilderness, soon after the construction of the Tabernacle, symbolizing Israel's structured approach to God. This systematic, public ordination stands in contrast to the spontaneous and often self-appointed religious practices found among pagan nations, emphasizing that Israel’s priesthood derived its authority solely from the command of Yahweh. The corporate assembly ensures that the entire nation witnessed and implicitly endorsed the legitimacy of their appointed mediators.

Leviticus 8 4 Word analysis

• "So Moses did" (וַיַּעַשׂ מֹשֶׁה - wayyaʿaś Mōšeh): Hebrew wayyaʿaś is a waw-consecutive imperfect of the verb ʿāśāh (to do, to make), emphasizing immediate and decisive action. It portrays Moses as the faithful and diligent executor of divine mandates, a consistent character trait seen throughout his leadership. This highlights the responsiveness of the chosen leader to God's sovereign will.

• "as the LORD commanded him" (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֹתוֹ - ka’ǎšer ṣiwwâ Yahweh ʾōtô): The phrase ka’ǎšer ("just as," "according to what") stresses precise conformity to the divine instruction. ṣiwwâ (commanded) is the Piel perfect of ṣawāh, denoting an emphatic and definitive instruction. Yahweh is the personal, covenantal name of God, underscoring the absolute authority and intimate nature of the command. This re-emphasizes that Moses’ actions were not arbitrary but divinely ordained.

• "And the congregation" (וַתִּקָּהֵל הָעֵדָה - wattiqqâhēl hāʿēdâ): wattiqqâhēl is a Nifal waw-consecutive imperfect of qāhal (to assemble oneself, to gather). This form denotes that the gathering was caused or brought about, implying Moses' summons based on God's command. hāʿēdâ refers to "the congregation" or "the community," encompassing the entire people of Israel. This signifies the corporate and communal aspect of worship and witness.

• "was assembled": (See wattiqqâhēl above). The act of assembling points to a collective act of participation, indicating that the priesthood's establishment was a public, communal affair.

• "at the entrance" (אֶל־פֶּתַח - ʾel-petaḥ): ʾel means "at" or "to," and petaḥ means "opening" or "doorway." This designates a very specific and accessible location, emphasizing that the solemn proceedings were observable by all present. It also symbolizes the gateway to God's presence.

• "of the tent of meeting" (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - ʾōhel môʿēd): Literally "tent of appointed place/time." This is the sacred Tabernacle, designed by God as the portable sanctuary where He would meet with Moses and commune with His people. It is the central place for prescribed worship, sacrifice, and revelation during Israel's wilderness wanderings. The mention of its specific entrance highlights the consecrated space of the divine-human encounter.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "So Moses did as the LORD commanded him": This clause sets the tone of absolute obedience, a foundational principle for proper worship and spiritual order in Israel. Moses functions as God’s faithful vicegerent, demonstrating that legitimate religious authority and practice derive entirely from God's explicit commands, not human innovation.
  • "And the congregation was assembled at the entrance of the tent of meeting": This second clause highlights the public and corporate nature of this crucial event. The entire community was witness to the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood, emphasizing the public validation and communal acceptance of this divine institution. The location—"at the entrance of the tent of meeting"—underscores the holiness and centrality of God's presence as the focus of the assembly.

Leviticus 8 4 Bonus section

• Moses' obedience in this verse sets him as a model for all leaders in God's house, foreshadowing the ultimate obedience of Christ (Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 10:7) who perfectly fulfilled His Father's will.
• The meticulous adherence to detail in the Tabernacle's operation and priestly ordination, reflected here, speaks to God's desire for order, precision, and holiness in approaching Him, emphasizing His transcendent nature and sovereignty.
• The "congregation" representing the whole body of Israel prefigures the New Testament concept of the "assembly" or "church" (Greek ekklesia) of believers, called together by God for worship and participation in His kingdom (Ephesians 2:19-22).
• The "tent of meeting" later became a symbol of God's indwelling presence among His people, evolving from a portable dwelling to the permanent Temple in Jerusalem, and ultimately pointing towards God's dwelling with humanity through Christ and in the Church (John 1:14; Revelation 21:3).

Leviticus 8 4 Commentary

Leviticus 8:4 serves as a lynchpin, transitioning from divine decree to immediate, obedient action. Moses' prompt and exact execution of God's command ensures the legitimacy and divine sanction of the subsequent ordination of Aaron and his sons. His faithfulness underscores a core biblical principle: true spiritual authority and effective worship stem from uncompromising obedience to God’s explicit instructions. The congregation's assembly at the "tent of meeting" is not merely incidental; it signifies their communal witness and assent to this divinely appointed system of mediation and worship. This public gathering lent gravitas to the ceremony, marking the institution of the priesthood as a matter of national importance and shared responsibility. It establishes the template for how God would be approached—through an appointed, consecrated priesthood, within a sacred space, witnessed by a gathered people, all strictly according to His word.