Numbers 8:25

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service [thereof], and shall serve no more:

Complete Jewish Bible:

and when they reach the age of fifty, they are to stop performing this work and not serve any longer.

Berean Standard Bible:

But at the age of fifty, they must retire from performing the work and no longer serve.

American Standard Version:

and from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the work, and shall serve no more,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And from the age^{H1121} of fifty^{H2572} years^{H8141} they shall cease^{H7725} waiting^{H6635} upon the service^{H5656} thereof, and shall serve^{H5647} no more:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 8:25

**Themes:**
Numbers 8:25 addresses the theme of service and retirement within the context of the Levitical priesthood. The verse reflects the idea that there is a time for different roles and responsibilities within one's life. It underscores the importance of knowing when to step back from certain duties, making way for the younger generation to take on the responsibilities of service. This theme of transition and the orderly progression of service is a recurring concept in the Bible, emphasizing the value of experience and wisdom that elders contribute to the community in less physically demanding ways.

**Historical Context:**
In the historical context, this verse pertains to the Levites, who were the tribe appointed by God to serve in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) in place of the firstborn males of Israel, who were originally designated for priestly duties. The Levites were responsible for the transportation and care of the Tabernacle, as well as assisting the priests in their duties. The age of fifty, mentioned in Numbers 8:25, marked the retirement age for Levites from the more labor-intensive tasks. After this age, they were to cease from the strenuous work of carrying the Tabernacle and its furnishings when the Israelites moved camp. However, they were not entirely without duties; they could still assist their brothers in the Tent of Meeting, performing lighter tasks that did not require as much physical strain. This regulation likely served to ensure the efficiency and solemnity of the worship ceremonies, as well as to respect the limitations that come with age. It also provided a structured way to pass on responsibilities to the next generation, maintaining the continuity of worship practices in 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)

1. 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2572
   There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֲמִשִּׁים
   Transliteration: chămishshîym
   Pronunciation: kham-ish-sheem'
   Description: multiple of חָמֵשׁ; fifty; fifty.
   
3. 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).
   
4. Strong's Number: H7725
   There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּב
   Transliteration: shûwb
   Pronunciation: shoob
   Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
   
5. 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).
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5647
   There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַד
   Transliteration: ʻâbad
   Pronunciation: aw-bad'
   Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,