10: The Separation of the Levites (Num 8)

The ordination of the priests was recorded in Leviticus 8. The separation of the Levites is in Numbers 8. Leviticus deals with the priesthood and holiness statutes. Numbers focuses on the wilderness life of the common people and the works of the Levites.

πŸ‘‰ Read Numbers 8:1-26

This is the procedure of the separation of the Levites. 1) They took the Levites and purified them. 2) The Israelites had laid their (           ) on the Levites, and (           ) offered them as a wave offering to the Lord. 3) The Levites laid their hands on two bulls, and Moses offered a (              ) offering and a (              ) offering. 4) Moses will offer the Levites and the priests as a (             ) offering.


“I have taken the (              ) instead of all the (              ) sons among the Israelites. I have gien them to (            ) and his sons to work for the (               ) and to make atonement for them, so there will be no (             ) when they come near the (             ).”

 The age of the Levites who worked in the sanctuary must be between (         ) and (            ). 


Answers and Meditation

This chapter starts with the lighting of the lamps by Aaron. His work is included here because Aaron also was the Levites.

Hands, Aaron, purification (or sin), burnt, wave

Laying the hands of the Israelites implies that they offered the Levites. This offering implies that the Israelite twelve tribes would support the life of the Levites. (Num 18:21)

Aaron needs to offer the Levites as a wave offering because they will be given to Aaron and his sons.

Interestingly, Moses offered the Levites, including the priests, as a wave offering.


Levites, firstborn, Aaron, Israelites, plague, sanctuary

Verses 15-19 explain why the Levites were offered as a wave offering.

The Levites were purified, dedicated, and worked in the Tent of Meeting on behalf of the Israelites. Such dedication worked as atonement for the Israelites. While they approached the sanctuary, they were safe from any possible plague due to their mistake because the Levites, who were working there, had already been offered on their behalf.



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