Numbers 8:22 kjv
And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.
Numbers 8:22 nkjv
After that the Levites went in to do their work in the tabernacle of meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.
Numbers 8:22 niv
After that, the Levites came to do their work at the tent of meeting under the supervision of Aaron and his sons. They did with the Levites just as the LORD commanded Moses.
Numbers 8:22 esv
And after that the Levites went in to do 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.
Numbers 8:22 nlt
After that the Levites went into the Tabernacle to perform their duties, assisting Aaron and his sons. So they carried out all the commands that the LORD gave Moses concerning the Levites.
Numbers 8 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 3:6-7 | "Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that... keep charge of the whole congregation..." | Levites' specific duties specified |
| Num 4:3 | "From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old... all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle..." | Levites' age range for service |
| Num 18:6 | "Behold, I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the people of Israel. They are a gift to you, given to the LORD, to do the service of the tent of meeting." | Levites given as a gift for service |
| Deut 10:8 | "At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi, to carry the ark... to stand before the LORD to minister to him..." | Divine selection of Levites |
| 1 Chr 23:24-32 | Detailed listing of Levite duties under David. | Later organization and continuation of Levitical roles |
| Ezra 8:20 | "...the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites..." | Continuity of support for Levite service |
| Exod 39:42 | "According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work." | Theme of obedience to divine command |
| Deut 4:2 | "You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it..." | Strict adherence to God's commands |
| Deut 12:32 | "Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do." | Emphasis on exact obedience |
| 1 Sam 15:22 | "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings... as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice..." | Value of obedience over ritual |
| Jer 7:23 | "But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God...’" | Divine covenant based on obedience |
| Matt 7:21 | "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom... but the one who does the will of my Father..." | Obedience in the New Covenant |
| John 14:15 | "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." | Love for God demonstrated through obedience |
| Heb 5:9 | "And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him..." | Christ's obedience and salvation |
| Lev 8:30 | "Then Moses took some of the anointing oil... and sprinkled it on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons... and their garments." | Anointing/Consecration ritual |
| Num 8:7-15 | The specific purification rites performed on the Levites prior to this verse. | Preceding steps of Levitical cleansing |
| 2 Chr 29:5 | "...Consecrate yourselves now, and consecrate the house of the LORD..." | Later calls for consecration |
| Heb 9:13-14 | "For if the blood of goats... sanctifies... how much more will the blood of Christ... purify our conscience..." | Superiority of Christ's cleansing |
| Rom 12:1 | "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God..." | Christian consecration and service |
| Exod 28:43 | "...that they may minister... that they bear not iniquity and die..." | Garments for ministry, importance of proper attire for service |
| Exod 40:16 | "Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he." | Moses' obedience in Tabernacle construction |
| 1 Ki 8:4 | "And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of meeting... with all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle." | Levites' role in transporting sacred items |
| Lk 1:8-9 | "Now while he was serving as priest... he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense." | Example of priestly/temple service |
| Num 3:10 | "And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood..." | Aaron and sons' authority over Tabernacle |
| Heb 7:11-12 | "If perfection were attainable through the Levitical priesthood... what further need would there have been for another priest to arise...?" | Limitations of the Levitical priesthood |
| Deut 6:13 | "It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve..." | Fundamental command to serve God |
Numbers 8 verses
Numbers 8 22 Meaning
Numbers 8:22 marks the conclusion of the Levites' ceremonial purification and dedication, signifying their full induction into service in the Tabernacle. It affirms their formal acceptance for divine service, occurring under the oversight of Aaron and his sons, strictly according to the Lord's specific instructions given to Moses. This verse underscores the precise fulfillment of God's divine command and the establishment of a dedicated group responsible for sacred duties in Israel's worship system.
Numbers 8 22 Context
Numbers chapter 8 meticulously details the purification and dedication of the Levites, marking their official induction into divine service. Prior to verse 22, the Lord outlines precise rituals: sprinkling with water of purification (Num 8:7), shaving their bodies and washing their clothes (Num 8:7), offering of two bullocks with their grain offerings for a sin and burnt offering (Num 8:8, 12), and most notably, the ceremonial "waving" of the Levites before the Lord by Aaron (Num 8:11, 13). This wave offering symbolically presented the Levites to God as an offering, signifying their total surrender and dedication to His service, substituting them for the firstborn of Israel. The verses immediately preceding (Num 8:19-21) highlight the purpose of their purification – to prevent plague among the Israelites when they draw near to the sanctuary – and confirm that they fulfilled the commands. Therefore, verse 22 serves as the culminating statement, affirming that the entire prescribed process was successfully completed, making them fit for their unique sacred duties within the Tent of Meeting under the high priestly oversight.
Numbers 8 22 Word analysis
- And after that (וְאַחֲרֵי-כֵן - ve'akharey-chen): Signifies sequence and consequence. This phrase marks the successful completion of the purification rites detailed in the preceding verses. It denotes that only after these strict procedures were followed could the Levites proceed.
- went the Levites in (בָּאוּ הַלְוִיִּם - ba'u haLəwiyyim): The verb "went in" (באו) implies formal access, authorization, and permission to enter a sacred space for a specific purpose. This entry was not casual but was a direct result of their completed dedication, contrasting with unauthorized entry which led to death. It signifies a transition from ritual purification to active participation.
- to do their service (לַעֲבֹד אֶת-עֲבֹדָתָם - la'avod 'et-'avodatām):
- service (עֲבֹדָתָם - 'avodatam): Derived from עָבַד ('avad), meaning "to serve, to work, to worship." This term is deeply significant, often referring to sacred work, cultic service, or even bondage/slavery. Here, it specifically denotes their holy functions in the Tabernacle. It implies hard, dedicated labor undertaken on behalf of God. This avodah distinguished them from other tribes and dedicated their entire lives to maintaining the holiness of God's dwelling.
- in the tabernacle of the congregation (בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - bə'ohel mo'ed): Literally "Tent of Meeting." This refers to the portable sanctuary where God met with Moses and Israel. It was the central place of Israelite worship, representing God's dwelling among His people. The Levites' service was fundamentally tied to this specific divine structure and its sacred operations.
- before Aaron, and before his sons (לִפְנֵי אַהֲרֹן וְלִפְנֵי בָנָיו - lifney Aharon velifney vanāv): "Before" signifies supervision, authority, and accountability. Aaron (the High Priest) and his sons (the priests) held the ultimate spiritual authority within the Tabernacle. The Levites were not autonomous but served under priestly oversight, highlighting the established hierarchy of service. Their duties were always subordinate to, and supportive of, the priests' specific holy functions.
- as the Lord had commanded Moses concerning the Levites (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת-מֹשֶׁה עַל-הַלְוִיִּם - ka'asher tsivah YHWH 'et-Mosheh 'al-haLəwiyyim):
- commanded (צִוָּה - tsivah): This verb emphasizes divine decree, authority, and specific instruction. It underscores that the Levites' role and the rituals for their induction were not man-made traditions but directly from God, indicating His holiness and sovereign control over worship.
- Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, highlighting the personal relationship and divine faithfulness underlying the instructions.
- so did they unto them (כֵּן עָשׂוּ לָהֶם - ken 'asu lahem): "So did they unto them" means the Levites acted according to the commands given to Moses concerning them. It emphasizes precise and obedient execution. This phrase highlights the successful and faithful adherence to the divine blueprint, critical in a cultic setting where deviations could lead to spiritual defilement or death. It demonstrates the seriousness with which God's people were expected to handle sacred matters. This precise obedience contrasted with later disobedience (e.g., Uzzah's death for touching the ark).
Numbers 8 22 Bonus section
The phrase "Tabernacle of the Congregation" is better translated "Tent of Meeting" as 'Ohel Mo'ed implies a place where God appointed to meet His people, rather than a general assembly of people. This emphasizes the divine initiative in encountering humanity. The Levitical age for service is presented differently in Num 4 (30-50 years) versus Num 8:24-26 (25-50 years for this initial induction). Scholars debate whether this implies an initial training period from 25-30, or different service roles for varying ages, showcasing the nuance in understanding the structure of ancient Israelite worship. The "wave offering" of the Levites (Num 8:11, 13) is unique; normally, objects were waved. Waving people symbolized their presentation and dedication "to and fro" or "up and down" before the Lord, signifying their total surrender and suitability for divine use.
Numbers 8 22 Commentary
Numbers 8:22 provides a climactic affirmation of the Levites' full authorization for Tabernacle service following a series of meticulous purification rituals. It serves as an epilogue to their induction, stressing the importance of proper procedure and divine command in worship. Their service was not an option but a holy calling, a 'substitute' for the firstborn of Israel, emphasizing the concept of substitutionary service crucial throughout redemptive history. The text underscores that the validity of their ministry derived directly from God's explicit command and their obedient response. This divine-human cooperation, structured under priestly oversight, ensured order, holiness, and efficacy in approaching a holy God. The precise adherence to command establishes a profound theological point: acceptable worship and service stem from obedient conformity to God's revealed will, not human innovation. For instance, just as a mechanic carefully follows a manual for an engine, the Levites precisely followed divine instructions for the spiritual engine of Israel's worship, ensuring it ran correctly. This act of "doing their service" embodies a complete dedication, mirroring how believers are called to dedicate their lives in service (Rom 12:1), operating under Christ, our High Priest, in the new covenant.