Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Numbers 8:6 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Nu 8:6	Strong Concordance	Take [03947] the Levites [03881] from among [08432] the children [01121] of Israel [03478], and cleanse [02891] them.
	King James	Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
THE CONSECRATION OF THE LEVITES. (Num. 8:5-22) Take the Levites . . . and cleanse them--This passage describes the consecration of the Levites. Although the tribe was to be devoted to the divine service, their hereditary descent alone was not a sufficient qualification for entering on the duties of the sacred office. They were to be set apart by a special ceremony, which, however, was much simpler than that appointed for the priests; neither washing nor anointing, nor investiture with official robes, was necessary. Their purification consisted, along with the offering of the requisite sacrifices (Lev 1:4; Lev 3:2; Lev 4:4), in being sprinkled by water mixed with the ashes of a red heifer (Num 19:9), and shaved all over, and their clothes washed--a combination of symbolical acts which was intended to remind them of the mortification of carnal and worldly desires, and the maintenance of that purity in heart and life which became the servants of God.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

THE CONSECRATION OF THE LEVITES. (Num. 8:5-22)

Take the Levites . . . and cleanse them--This passage describes the consecration of the Levites. Although the tribe was to be devoted to the divine service, their hereditary descent alone was not a sufficient qualification for entering on the duties of the sacred office. They were to be set apart by a special ceremony, which, however, was much simpler than that appointed for the priests; neither washing nor anointing, nor investiture with official robes, was necessary. Their purification consisted, along with the offering of the requisite sacrifices (Lev 1:4; Lev 3:2; Lev 4:4), in being sprinkled by water mixed with the ashes of a red heifer (Num 19:9), and shaved all over, and their clothes washed--a combination of symbolical acts which was intended to remind them of the mortification of carnal and worldly desires, and the maintenance of that purity in heart and life which became the servants of God.

Top

⁹ And a man [0376] that is clean [02889] shall gather [0622] up the ashes [0665] of the heifer [06510], and lay them up [03240] without [02351] the camp [04264] in a clean [02889] place [04725], and it shall be kept [04931] for the congregation [05712] of the children [01121] of Israel [03478] for a water [04325] of separation [05079]: it is a purification for sin [02403].

⁴ And he shall bring [0935] the bullock [06499] unto the door [06607] of the tabernacle [0168] of the congregation [04150] before [06440] the LORD [03068]; and shall lay [05564] his hand [03027] upon the bullock's [06499] head [07218], and kill [07819] the bullock [06499] before [06440] the LORD [03068].

² And he shall lay [05564] his hand [03027] upon the head [07218] of his offering [07133], and kill [07819] it at the door [06607] of the tabernacle [0168] of the congregation [04150]: and Aaron's [0175] sons [01121] the priests [03548] shall sprinkle [02236] the blood [01818] upon the altar [04196] round about [05439].

⁴ And he shall put [05564] his hand [03027] upon the head [07218] of the burnt offering [05930]; and it shall be accepted [07521] for him to make atonement [03722] for him.