Numbers 8

All 26 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1The LORD spoke to Moses and said,
2. 2"Tell Aaron that when he lights the lamps, all 7 lamps must cast their light forward, toward the front of the lampstand."
3. 3Aaron did exactly that. He lit the lamps so they shone toward the front of the lampstand, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
4. 4The candlestick was made of beaten gold; from its shaft to its flowers, it was beaten work. He made the candlestick according to the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.
5. 5The LORD spoke to Moses and said,
6. 6Take the Levites from among the Israelites and purify them.
7. 7Here is how you will purify them: Sprinkle the water of purification on them, have them shave their entire bodies, wash their clothes, and make themselves clean.
8. 8Then have them bring a young bull along with a grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil. You will also take a second young bull as a sin offering.
9. 9Bring the Levites to the front of the Tent of Meeting and gather the entire Israelite community together.
10. 10Present the Levites before the LORD, and have the Israelites lay their hands on them.
11. 11Aaron will then present the Levites before the LORD as an offering on behalf of the Israelites, so that the Levites may carry out the LORD's service.
12. 12The Levites will lay their hands on the heads of the 2 bulls. Sacrifice one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to the LORD, to make atonement for the Levites.
13. 13Have the Levites stand before Aaron and his sons, and present them as an offering to the LORD.
14. 14In this way you will set the Levites apart from the rest of the Israelites, and the Levites will belong to me.
15. 15Once you have purified the Levites and presented them as an offering, they may begin serving in the Tent of Meeting.
16. 16They are given entirely to me from among the Israelites. I have claimed them as my own instead of every firstborn who opens the womb in Israel.
17. 17Every firstborn in Israel belongs to me, whether human or animal. On the day I struck down every firstborn in Egypt, I set them apart as mine.
18. 18But I have taken the Levites as substitutes for all the firstborn among the Israelites.
19. 19I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the Israelites. Their job is to serve on behalf of the Israelites at the Tent of Meeting and to make atonement for them, so that no plague will strike the Israelites when they come near the sanctuary."
20. 20Moses, Aaron, and the entire Israelite community did everything the LORD had commanded Moses regarding the Levites. They carried it all out exactly.
21. 21The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes. Then Aaron presented them as an offering before the LORD and made atonement for them to make them clean.
22. 22After that, the Levites began their service in the Tent of Meeting under the direction of Aaron and his sons. Everything was done just as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites.
23. 23The LORD spoke to Moses and said,
24. 24"Here is the rule for the Levites: Starting at age 25, they may begin serving in the work of the Tent of Meeting.
25. 25But at age 50, they must step back from their regular duties and serve no longer.
26. 26They may still assist their fellow Levites at the Tent of Meeting by helping with various responsibilities, but they must not perform the heavy service themselves. This is how you are to arrange the Levites' duties."