King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer the one [for] a sin offering, and the other [for] a burnt offering, unto the LORD, to make an atonement for the Levites.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The L'vi'im will lay their hands on the heads of the bulls; the one you will offer as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to ADONAI to make atonement for the L'vi'im.
Berean Standard Bible:
And the Levites are to lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and offer to the LORD one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, to make atonement for the Levites.
American Standard Version:
And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and offer thou the one for a sin-offering, and the other for a burnt-offering, unto Jehovah, to make atonement for the Levites.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the Levites{H3881} shall lay{H5564} their hands{H3027} upon the heads{H7218} of the bullocks{H6499}: and thou shalt offer{H6213} the one{H259} for a sin offering{H2403}, and the other{H259} for a burnt offering{H5930}, unto the LORD{H3068}, to make an atonement{H3722} for the Levites{H3881}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Hebrews 10:4
- For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Hebrews 10:10
- By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].
Exodus 29:10
- And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.
Hebrews 9:22
- And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Leviticus 1:4
- And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
Leviticus 8:14
- ¶ And he brought the bullock for the sin offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock for the sin offering.
Numbers 8:8
- Then let them take a young bullock with his meat offering, [even] fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin offering.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 8:12
**Themes:**
- **Atonement and Purification:** The verse highlights the theme of atonement, a central concept in the Pentateuch, where offerings are made to God to cleanse individuals or groups from sin and impurity.
- **Consecration of the Levites:** The ritual described is part of the process of setting apart the Levites for service in the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of holiness and dedication in those who serve God.
- **Substitutionary Sacrifice:** The laying on of hands symbolizes the transfer of sin or identity onto the sacrificial animal, which then bears the penalty, illustrating the principle of substitutionary sacrifice.
**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The events in Numbers occur during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, shortly after the construction of the Tabernacle, which was the portable dwelling place for God among the people.
- **Levitical Service:** The Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel, designated by God to serve in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) in place of the firstborn males of Israel, who were originally intended for this role.
- **Purification Rituals:** The instructions for the offerings are part of the broader context of Levitical law, which includes detailed prescriptions for sacrifices and rituals to maintain the spiritual purity of the nation and its religious leaders.
- **Transition of Service:** This passage marks a transition in service roles, with the Levites taking over the responsibilities that had been temporarily managed by the firstborn of Israel.
In summary, Numbers 8:12 reflects the themes of atonement, purification, and the consecration of the Levites to their sacred duties within the historical context of the Israelites' journey towards the Promised Land and the establishment of their religious practices and institutions.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3881
There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵוִיִּי
Transliteration: Lêvîyîy
Pronunciation: lay-vee-ee'
Description: or לֵוִי; patronymically from לֵוִי; a Levite or descendant of Levi; Leviite. - Strong's Number: H5564
There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָמַךְ
Transliteration: çâmak
Pronunciation: saw-mak'
Description: a primitive root; to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense); bear up, establish, (up-) hold, lay, lean, lie hard, put, rest self, set self, stand fast, stay (self), sustain. - Strong's Number: H3027
There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָד
Transliteration: yâd
Pronunciation: yawd
Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. - Strong's Number: H7218
There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֹאשׁ
Transliteration: rôʼsh
Pronunciation: roshe
Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. - Strong's Number: H6499
There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּר
Transliteration: par
Pronunciation: par
Description: or פָּר; from פָּרַר; a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof); ([phrase] young) bull(-ock), calf, ox. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H259
There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶחָד
Transliteration: ʼechâd
Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, - Strong's Number: H2403
There are 272 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַטָּאָה
Transliteration: chaṭṭâʼâh
Pronunciation: khat-taw-aw'
Description: or חַטָּאת; from חָטָא; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender; punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering). - Strong's Number: H5930
There are 262 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֹלָה
Transliteration: ʻôlâh
Pronunciation: o-law'
Description: or עוֹלָה; feminine active participle of עָלָה; a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke); ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also עֶוֶל. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H3722
There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּפַר
Transliteration: kâphar
Pronunciation: kaw-far'
Description: a primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel; appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).