8:2 Aaron Only the priests conducted activity inside the holy place of the tent of meeting once the tabernacle had been constructed (see Num 3:5–10).

seven lamps See note on Exod 25:37.

the lampstand Refers to the golden lampstand (menorah) in the holy place. See note on Exod 25:31.

8:4 the pattern that Yahweh showed Moses When Yahweh communicated the instructions for the tabernacle and its furnishings to Moses, He showed Moses a pattern or blueprint. See Exod 25:9 and note.

8:6 purify Although cleansing or purification often involved washing or water, the underlying rationale had little to do with hygiene; rather, washing was an outward gesture that symbolized the purification of the person’s being.

8:7 waters of purification The procedures described here presume the instructions related to purification from ch. 19.

they will shave their whole body The opposite of the regulations for a Nazirite (compare 6:1–8); the Levites were required to eliminate all of their body hair.

8:8 a young bull The bull was the most highly prized and costly domesticated animal, therefore it was required for the purification of the Levites, who held special status.

grain offering of The Hebrew name for the grain offering is minchah (see Lev 2:1–16 and note). While minchah as a basic sense of “gift,” it is a technical term for the grain offering in priestly contexts.

Types of Offerings in the Old Testament Table

a sin offering When a person unknowingly sinned, their offense affected the sanctity of the sanctuary. The chatta'th (or purification offering) cleansed the contamination. See note on Lev 4:1–5:13.

8:9 the tent of assembly The internal tent structure of the tabernacle proper—the most holy place where the ark of the covenant was kept (Exod 25:22; Num 7:89). See note on 1:1.

8:10 will lay their hands on the Levites The elders of Israel (as opposed to every person in the Israelite camp) conducted this rite. This gesture symbolically showed that the Levites were Israel’s “sacrifice” (i.e., given back to God in service and in lieu of the firstborn; compare 3:11–13, 40–51; 8:11).

8:11 will offer the Levites as a wave offering A wave offering (tenuphah in Hebrew; see note on Lev 7:30) involved elevating the thing offered to God. The thing offered becomes the property of God. The use of tenuphah is peculiar in this passage because a group of people are being offered in this way. Normally a wave offering consists of meat (e.g., Exod 29:24–27; Lev 7:30) or grain (e.g., Lev 23:15; Num 5:25) that is literally lifted up by the priest. This signals that the Levites are consecrated before Yahweh—their lives are devoted to his service. Compare note on v. 14.

8:12 make atonement Refers to the purging of impurity. See note on Lev 4:20.

8:14 the Levites will be for me The Levites are set apart for the service of Yahweh in place of the firstborn of all Israel (Num 3:11–13; see note on 3:1–51).

8:16 firstborn The Levites take the place of all the firstborn of Israel as those dedicated to the service of Yahweh (3:11–13, 40–51). Compare Exod 13:1–2; 22:29–30; 34:19–20.

8:17 I consecrated them to me See note on Num 3:12.

I consecrated The Hebrew word used here, qadash, means “to be holy” or “make holy.” The concept of holiness fundamentally indicates separation: A person or item is set apart for sacred use or duty, as opposed to common, ordinary tasks or purposes.

8:19 a plague will not be When the Israelites did not follow Yahweh’s instruction, they risked an outbreak of plague or divine wrath. See note on 1:53.

the sanctuary Refers to the tabernacle’s precincts and tent structure.

8:20 the entire community of The people were united in their obedience to the command of Yahweh with respect to the Levites.

8:24 those twenty-five years old and above See note on 4:3.

8:26 concerning the Levities and their responsibilities These duties are spoken of in more detail in Lev 3–4.