Numbers 8:5

The Setting Apart of the Levites

5 The LORD said to Moses:

Numbers 8:5 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
English Standard Version (ESV)
5 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 Then the LORD said to Moses,
The Message Bible (MSG)
5 God spoke to Moses:
American Standard Version (ASV)
5 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
5 The LORD said to Moses,
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
5 The LORD spoke to Moses. He said,

Numbers 8:5 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 8:5

And the Lord spake unto Moses
the same time the order about lighting the lamps was given; and this section is joined to the former, Aben Ezra thinks, to show that Aaron employed himself in lighting the lamps, but in the rest of the services the Levites helped him, and stood before him to do what he commanded them: they were ordered to be taken and given to Aaron before; and they were numbered, and their services appointed to each division of them; and now they are ordered to be ordained and consecrated to their office:

saying;
as follows.

Numbers 8:5 In-Context

3 Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the LORD commanded Moses.
4 This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.
5 The LORD said to Moses:
6 “Take the Levites from among all the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean.
7 To purify them, do this: Sprinkle the water of cleansing on them; then have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes. And so they will purify themselves.
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.