Numbers 8:26

Translations

Modern

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.”

Traditional

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.

Literal

And they may minister with their brothers in the Tent of Meeting to keep the charge, and they shall not do work. Thus you shall do for the Levites in their duties.”

Latin

…eruntque ministri fratrum suorum in tabernaculo fœderis, ut custodiant quæ sibi fuerunt commendata: opera autem ipsa non faciant. Sic dispones Levitis in custodiis suis.

Original

Hebrew

English

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.”

Notes

Numbers 8:23–26

These are guidelines for the length of the Levites' service.
Whereas 4:3 says their service in the Tent of Meeting started at age 30, 8:24 says age 25. This difference might show changes in age requirements over time, depending on how many Levite men were available. Those aged 25–29 might have been unofficial workers or apprentices.
Both passages set the retirement age at 50. Retired Levites could serve as guards of the Tent of Meeting (see Psalm 84:10).

Related verses

Numbers 1:53
But the Levites are to camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony and watch over it, so that no wrath will fall on the congregation of Israel. So the Levites are responsible for the tabernacle of the Testimony.”
Numbers 31:30
From the Israelites’ half, take one out of every fifty, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or other animals, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.”
1 Timothy 4:15
Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
Numbers 3:32
The chief of the leaders of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron the priest; he oversaw those responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.
1 Chronicles 23:32
So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD.
Ezekiel 44:11
Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and ministering there. They shall slaughter the burnt offerings and other sacrifices for the people and stand before them to minister to them.
Numbers 18:4
They are to join you and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting, doing all the work at the Tent; but no outsider may come near you.
1 Chronicles 26:20–29
Now their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated things.
Ezekiel 44:8
And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’

People

Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Cattle Deuteronomy, Book of Numbers, Book of Priests and Levites

Topics

Levites: Age of when Inducted Into office The Levites: when Superannuated Required to Perform the Less Arduous

Numbers 8:26

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