Bible Commentaries
Numbers 8

Verse 1

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1 .

Verse 2

the = the face of the.

candlestick = light-holder (as in Genesis 1:14 ), or lampstand. Compare Exodus 25:31-39 ; Exodus 37:17-24 .

Verse 3

as = according as.

Verse 4

unto. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Onkelos Manuscript, and The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel read "and unto".

Verse 6

children = sons.

Verse 7

water of purifying = sin water: i.e., water prepared as in Numbers 19:0 .

Verse 8

meat offering. See App-43 .

sin offering. See App-43 .

Verse 9

tabernacle of the congregation = tent of meeting. App-40 .

Verse 11

offer. Hebrew wave. See note on Exodus 29:27 .

offering. Hebrew wave offering. See App-43 .

execute the service. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). Hebrew "serve the service" = perform the solemn service.

Verse 12

the Levites. Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ), the verse beginning and ending with the same word.

offer = prepare. Hebrew. 'asah. App-43 .

atonement. See note on Exodus 29:33 .

Verse 14

Mine. Compare Numbers 3:45 .

Verse 15

offer them for an offering = wave them for a wave offering. See Exodus 29:27 .

Verse 17

For. Compare Exodus 13:2 .Exodus 3:13 .

man. Hebrew. 'adam. See App-14 .

on the day. See App-18 .

Verse 23

as = according as.

Verse 24

twenty and five years old. This was the commencement of a five years' probation. The age, thirty, was the age of their numbering. See note on Numbers 4:3 .

to wait, &c. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ), as in verses: Numbers 8:11 , Numbers 8:15 , Numbers 8:19 . Literally war the warfare.

Verse 26

from the age, &c. Observe the gracious care of Jehovah.