Numbers 8:23

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Complete Jewish Bible:

ADONAI said to Moshe,

Berean Standard Bible:

And the LORD said to Moses,

American Standard Version:

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the LORD^{H3068} spake^{H1696} unto Moses^{H4872}, saying^{H559},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 8:23

1. Numbers 8:23 is part of a larger passage in the Book of Numbers that deals with the consecration of the Levites, the tribe set apart for service in the Tabernacle, the portable dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness.

2. The verse itself serves as an introduction to a divine speech delivered to Moses, marking a transition in the narrative where God provides further instructions regarding the Levites. This reflects the broader theme of divine guidance and the importance of obeying God's commands, which is central to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible).

3. In the historical context, the Israelites were in the Sinai desert after being delivered from slavery in Egypt. They were organizing themselves as a nation with the Tabernacle at the center of their religious life, and the Levites played a crucial role in the religious ceremonies and the maintenance of the Tabernacle.

4. The verse, "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," indicates the direct communication between God and Moses, emphasizing the authority of Moses as a prophet and lawgiver, and the divine origin of the instructions that follow. This pattern of God speaking to Moses is a recurring motif in the Torah, reinforcing the idea of Moses as the mediator between God and the people of Israel.

5. The specific instructions that follow in the subsequent verses detail the duties and retirement of the Levites. Numbers 8:24-26 explains that at the age of fifty, the Levites were to retire from the heavy labor of the Tabernacle but could still assist their brothers in performing their duties. This indicates a system of service and retirement that provided for the well-being of the Levites while ensuring the proper functioning of the sanctuary.

In summary, Numbers 8:23 is a pivotal verse that introduces further instructions from God to Moses concerning the Levites' service in the Tabernacle. It highlights themes of divine guidance, the structure of religious service, and the role of the Levites in the religious life of the Israelites during their formative years in the wilderness.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4872
   There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
   Transliteration: Môsheh
   Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
   Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
   
4. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.