Bible Commentaries
Numbers 8

Verses 1-26

Having recorded the acts of the princes in offering their substance, the record proceeded to deal with the setting apart of the Levites as the special order of men whose persons and time were to be given wholly to the service of the sanctuary.

At this point, however, we find introduced a repetition of instructions concerning the lighting of the lamps and a declaration that the instructions were carried out.

In all these final arrangements for purifying worship before the people moved forward to the land, the one symbol which is thus referred to is the symbol of light, which was intended to be a type of the witness bearing of the nation.

Then follow the arrangements for the consecration of the Levites, which were not the same as those for the priests. No anointing oil or blood was used nor was any specific dress provided. The sign of their cleansing was the simple one of water.

Finally, the Levites themselves were offered as wave offerings, passing through the hands of the priests as they entered on their sacred service.