King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
This [is it] that [belongeth] unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation:
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Here are instructions concerning the L'vi'im: when they reach the age of twenty-five, they are to begin performing their duties serving in the tent of meeting;
Berean Standard Bible:
“This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years of age or older shall enter to perform the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting.
American Standard Version:
This is that which belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service in the work of the tent of meeting:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
This is it that belongeth unto the Levites{H3881}: from twenty{H6242} and five{H2568} years{H8141} old{H1121} and upward{H4605} they shall go in{H935} to wait{H6633}{H6635} upon the service{H5656} of the tabernacle{H168} of the congregation{H4150}:
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Chronicles 23:3
- Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.
Numbers 4:3
- From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
2 Timothy 2:3
- Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:5
- And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
1 Corinthians 9:7
- Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
2 Corinthians 10:4
- (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
1 Chronicles 23:24
- ¶ These [were] the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; [even] the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 8:24
**Themes:**
Numbers 8:24 addresses the theme of service and duty within the Israelite community, specifically concerning the Levites. The verse outlines the age at which Levites were to begin their service in the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of dedicating one's life to the worship and service of God at a certain stage of adulthood. It reflects the broader themes of holiness, order, and divine instruction that characterize the book of Numbers. The Levites' role was crucial in maintaining the sanctity of the tabernacle and ensuring that the rituals and ceremonies were performed correctly.
**Historical Context:**
The book of Numbers chronicles the Israelites' journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land, covering a period of about 39 years. In the broader historical context, this verse is part of the instructions given to Moses by God regarding the organization and duties of the Levites, who were responsible for the care and transportation of the tabernacle and its sacred objects. The age of twenty-five set for the beginning of service suggests a time of maturity and physical strength necessary for the demanding tasks associated with the tabernacle. This age requirement also reflects a period in life when an individual would be fully capable of making a long-term commitment to service. The Levites were consecrated to God as a substitution for the firstborn males of Israel, who were originally designated as holy to the Lord (Numbers 3:11-13). The service of the Levites was a lifelong calling, with retirement from tabernacle service coming at the age of fifty (Numbers 8:25-26), after which they could assist their younger brethren but not perform the more strenuous tasks. This system of service was integral to the religious and social structure of ancient Israel.
*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: H6242
There are 281 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶשְׂרִים
Transliteration: ʻesrîym
Pronunciation: es-reem'
Description: from עֶשֶׂר; twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth; (six-) score, twenty(-ieth). - Strong's Number: H2568
There are 273 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָמֵשׁ
Transliteration: châmêsh
Pronunciation: khaw-maysh'
Description: masculine חֲמִשָּׁה; a primitive numeral; five; fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). - Strong's Number: H8141
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁנֶה
Transliteration: shâneh
Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H4605
There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַעַל
Transliteration: maʻal
Pronunciation: mah'al
Description: from עָלָה; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.; above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on ([idiom] very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H6633
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָבָא
Transliteration: tsâbâʼ
Pronunciation: tsaw-baw'
Description: a primitive root; to mass (an army or servants); assemble, fight, perform, muster, wait upon, war. - Strong's Number: H6635
There are 463 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָבָא
Transliteration: tsâbâʼ
Pronunciation: tsaw-baw'
Description: or (feminine) צְבָאָה; from צָבָא; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship); appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). - Strong's Number: H5656
There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲבֹדָה
Transliteration: ʻăbôdâh
Pronunciation: ab-o-daw'
Description: or עֲבוֹדָה; from עָבַד; work of any kind; act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought. - Strong's Number: H168
There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹהֶל
Transliteration: ʼôhel
Pronunciation: o'-hel
Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. - Strong's Number: H4150
There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוֹעֵד
Transliteration: môwʻêd
Pronunciation: mo-ade'
Description: or מֹעֵד; or (feminine) מוֹעָדָה; (2 Chronicles 8:13), from יָעַד; properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally ayear; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand); appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed).