Numbers 8:26

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.

Complete Jewish Bible:

They will assist their brothers who are performing their duties in the tent of meeting, but they themselves will not do any of the work. This is what you are to do with the L'vi'im in regard to their duties."

Berean Standard Bible:

After that, they may assist their brothers in fulfilling their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves are not to do the work. This is how you are to assign responsibilities to the Levites.”

American Standard Version:

but shall minister with their brethren in the tent of meeting, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charges.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But shall minister^{H8334} with their brethren^{H251} in the tabernacle^{H168} of the congregation^{H4150}, to keep^{H8104} the charge^{H4931}, and shall do^{H5647} no service^{H5656}. Thus shalt thou do^{H6213} unto the Levites^{H3881} touching their charge^{H4931}.

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Commentary for Numbers 8:26

**Numbers 8:26 Summary and Historical Context:**

**Themes:**
- **Service and Duty:** The verse emphasizes the role of the Levites in serving in the Tabernacle, the portable dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. It outlines the division of labor among the Levites, with a specific focus on the older members of the tribe.
- **Responsibility and Age Limit:** It introduces the concept of an age limit for active duty in the Tabernacle. The Levites were to begin their service at the age of twenty-five and retire at the age of fifty, after which they were to assist their brethren without performing the more laborious tasks.
- **Transition of Roles:** The verse highlights a transition in the Levites' roles as they age, moving from active service to a more supervisory or advisory capacity, still involved in the ministry but without the physical strains of their younger years.

**Historical Context:**
- **The Tabernacle:** The Tabernacle was the central place of worship for the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. It was constructed according to divine instructions received by Moses on Mount Sinai and was a precursor to the Temple in Jerusalem.
- **The Role of Levites:** The Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel, set apart for religious service. They were responsible for the transportation and care of the Tabernacle, as well as assisting the priests (who were also Levites, but of the lineage of Aaron) in their duties.
- **Organization of Service:** This verse is part of the broader context of organizing the Israelite camp and establishing the duties of each group. It reflects the detailed and structured approach to worship and religious service that characterized the Mosaic Law.
- **Time Period:** The events described in the Book of Numbers occurred during the wilderness period, approximately between 1446 and 1406 BCE, shortly after the exodus from Egypt and before the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land.

In summary, Numbers 8:26 addresses the organization of the Levites' service in the Tabernacle, detailing the age-related transition from active to supportive roles, reflecting the broader themes of duty, responsibility, and the structured nature of Israelite worship during their journey to Canaan.

*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: H8334
   There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁרַת
   Transliteration: shârath
   Pronunciation: shaw-rath'
   Description: a primitive root; to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to; minister (unto), (do) serve(-ant, -ice, -itor), wait on.
   
2. Strong's Number: H251
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָח
   Transliteration: ʼâch
   Pronunciation: awkh
   Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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).
   
5. Strong's Number: H8104
   There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַר
   Transliteration: shâmar
   Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
   
6. Strong's Number: H4931
   There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִשְׁמֶרֶת
   Transliteration: mishmereth
   Pronunciation: mish-mer'-reth
   Description: feminine of מִשְׁמָר; watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e. (abstractly) duty or (objectively) a usage or party; charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace, safeguard, ward, watch.
   
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,
   
8. 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.
   
9. 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.
   
10. 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.