Numbers 8:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together:

Complete Jewish Bible:

You are to present the L'vi'im in front of the tent of meeting, and assemble the entire community of the people of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible:

Bring the Levites before the Tent of Meeting and assemble the whole congregation of Israel.

American Standard Version:

And thou shalt present the Levites before the tent of meeting: and thou shalt assemble the whole congregation of the children of Israel:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And thou shalt bring^{H7126} the Levites^{H3881} before^{H6440} the tabernacle^{H168} of the congregation^{H4150}: and thou shalt gather^{H6950} the whole assembly^{H5712} of the children^{H1121} of Israel^{H3478} together^{H6950}:

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Commentary for Numbers 8:9

1. **Themes:**
- **Consecration of the Levites:** Numbers 8:9 is part of the instructions given by God to Moses regarding the consecration of the Levites. This process was to set them apart for service in the Tabernacle, replacing the firstborn of Israel who were originally designated for this role.
- **Role of the Levites:** The Levites were to assist the priests (who were also Levites but from the family of Aaron) in the religious duties of the sanctuary. This included taking care of the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and performing various tasks related to the worship and sacrifices.
- **Community Involvement:** The entire assembly of Israel was to be present, emphasizing the communal aspect of worship and the importance of the Levites' role as a service to the whole nation.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Exodus and Wanderings:** The book of Numbers is set during the time of the Exodus, after the Israelites had left Egypt and were wandering in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.
- **Establishment of Religious Structure:** The instructions in Numbers 8:9 are part of God's detailed directives to Moses for organizing the religious and social life of the Israelites. This included establishing the Levites as the tribe responsible for the sanctuary and its service.
- **The Tabernacle:** The Tabernacle was the portable dwelling place for God, where the Israelites worshipped and offered sacrifices. It was central to their religious life during their wanderings in the wilderness.
- **Transition from Firstborn to Levites:** Prior to this, the firstborn of each family were dedicated to God's service. However, after the incident with the Golden Calf, the Levites' loyalty to God set them apart, and they were chosen to serve in place of the firstborn.

In summary, Numbers 8:9 reflects the theme of consecration and service within the Israelite community, highlighting the special role of the Levites in the religious life of the nation during their journey to Canaan. The historical context is the period of the Exodus, with the establishment of the Tabernacle and the reorganization of religious service following the Levites' dedication to God's service.

*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: H7126
   There are 259 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרַב
   Transliteration: qârab
   Pronunciation: kaw-rab'
   Description: a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose; (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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).
   
6. Strong's Number: H6950
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָהַל
   Transliteration: qâhal
   Pronunciation: 'kaw-hal'
   Description: a primitive root; to convoke; assemble (selves) (together), gather (selves) (together).
   
7. Strong's Number: H5712
   There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵדָה
   Transliteration: ʻêdâh
   Pronunciation: ay-daw'
   Description: feminine of עֵד in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd); assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare עֵדָה.
   
8. 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.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.