8:5-26

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Dedication of the Levites

(Nu 8:5-26)

The ceremony described here parallels that for the dedication of the priests that has already been described in Leviticus Nu 8:1-36. The washing, shaving, and offering of a sin offering indicated cleansing from sin; the offering of a burnt offering indicated dedication to God’s service.

The action of the twelve tribal leaders (acting on behalf of the whole people) in laying their hands on the heads of the Levites was the people’s acknowledgment of the Levites as their representatives.

By the symbolic action of waving his arms up and down, Aaron presented the Levites to God for his service (Nu 8:5-13). God then gave them back to Aaron to help him and the other priests in their work (Nu 8:14-19). Everything was done according to God’s instructions (Nu 8:20-22).

Twenty-five is given here as the minimum age for Levitical service, compared with thirty stated earlier (see Nu 4:3). Perhaps there was an initial training period of five years. Levites ceased from their main duties when they became fifty years of age, but could still help in various ways (Nu 8:23-26).