Numbers 8:24

Numbers 8:24 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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:
• New International Version (NIV)“This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting,
• English Standard Version (ESV)"This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting.
• New King James Version (NKJV)“This is what pertains to the Levites: From twenty-five years old and above one may enter to perform service in the work of the tabernacle of meeting;

Context of Numbers 8:24

22After that, the Levites came and did their work at the tent of meeting in the presence of Aaron and his sons. They did as the Lord had commanded Moses. 23The Lord said to Moses, “These are the instructions for the Levites: Men 25 years old or older are eligible to serve at the tent of meeting. 25But when they’re 50 years old, they must retire from active service and not work anymore. 26They may assist the other Levites in their duties at the tent of meeting, but they may not do any regular work. This is how you will handle the Levites’ duties.”

Numbers 8:24 word by word

זֹ֖את אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַלְוִיִּ֑ם מִבֶּן֩ חָמֵ֨שׁ וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה יָבוֹא֙ לִצְבֹ֣א צָבָ֔א בַּעֲבֹדַ֖ת אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• unto the Levitesלֵוִיlêvîyîy lêvîy · LeviH3881
• from twentyעֶשְׂרִים‛eώrîym · twentyH6242
• and fiveחָמֵשׁchâmêsh chămishshâh · fiveH2568
• yearsשָׁנָהshâneh shânâh · yearH8141
• oldבֵּןbên · son: agedH1121
• and upwardמַ֫עַלma‛al · aboveH4605
• they shall go inבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
• to waitצָבָאtsâbâ' tsebâ'âh · army: dutyH6635
• to waitצָבָאtsâbâ' · to serveH6633
• upon the serviceעֲבֹדָה‛ăbôdâh ‛ăbôdâh · service: ministryH5656
• of the tabernacleאֹ֫הֶל'ôhel · tentH168
• of the congregationמוֹעֵדmô‛êd mô‛êd mô‛âdâh · meetingH4150

Cross-references for Numbers 8:24

• Numbers 4:3Register all the men between the ages of 30 and 50 who are qualified to work at the tent of meeting.
• 1 Chronicles 23:24These were Levi’s descendants, who were grouped according to their families. The heads of their families were registered by name as they were counted. Everyone who served in the Lord’s temple was at least 20 years old.
• 1 Chronicles 4:3These were the first settlers in Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash. Their sister’s name was Hazelelponi.
• 1 Chronicles 4:25Shaul’s son was Shallum. Shallum’s son was Mibsam. Mibsam’s son was Mishma.
• 1 Chronicles 23:3Every male Levite who was at least 30 years old was counted. There were 38,000.
• 1 Chronicles 28:12He gave him plans for the courtyards of the Lord’s temple and for all the rooms around it. (These rooms served as treasuries for God’s temple and the gifts dedicated to God.)
• 1 Corinthians 9:7Does a soldier ever serve in the army at his own expense? Does anyone plant a vineyard and not eat the grapes? Does anyone take care of a flock and not drink milk from the sheep?
• 2 Corinthians 10:4The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people’s defenses, that is, their arguments
• 1 Timothy 1:18Timothy, my child, I’m giving you this order about the prophecies that are still coming to you: Use these prophecies in faith and with a clear conscience to fight this noble war.
• 1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight for the Christian faith. Take hold of everlasting life to which you were called and about which you made a good testimony in front of many witnesses.
• 2 Timothy 2:3Join me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Commentaries on Numbers 8:24

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24From twenty and five years old - See the note on Numbers 4:3, where the two terms of twenty-five and thirty years are reconciled.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24Twenty and five years old and upward - The permanent limit as distinguished from the temporary Numbers 4:3, Numbers 4:23, Numbers 4:30, though David found it necessary to extend the period of the Levites‘ service by causing it to commence at 20 years of age 1 Chronicles 23:24-28. This rule continued in force from the time of David downward (compare on 2 Chronicles 31:17; Ezra 3:8).Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-26Verses 5-26 Here we have directions for the solemn ordination of the Levites. All Israel must know that they took not this honour to themselves, but were called of God to it; nor was it enough that they were distinguished from others. All who are employed for God, must be dedicated to him, according to the employment. Christians must be baptized, ministers must be ordained; we must first give ourselves unto the Lord, and then our services. The Levites…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23-26These 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).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. from twenty and five years old, &c.--(Compare Nu 4:3). They entered on their work in their twenty-fifth year, as pupils and probationers, under the superintendence and direction of their senior brethren; and at thirty they were admitted to the full discharge of their official functions.Read the comment

Topics related to Numbers 8:24

• Levites

In the dictionaries

• Bend
• Sinai
• Wait
• Agrapha
• Apocrypha
• Chronicles, Books of
• Criticism
• Exodus, the Book of
• Genealogy
• Heth (1)

Commentaries on Numbers 8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings