Numbers 8:16
“For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.”
Numbers 8:16 in 7 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
- DRADouay–Rheims
- I have taken them instead of the firstborn that open every womb in Israel,
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of all that openeth the womb, even the first-born of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
- DARBYDarby
- For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of every one that breaketh open the womb, instead of every firstborn among the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
- WEBThe World English Bible
- For they are wholly given to me from among the children of Israel; instead of all who open the womb, even the firstborn of all the children of Israel, I have taken them to me.
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- For they are certainly given to Me out of the midst of the sons of Israel, instead of him who openeth any womb ; the first-born of all ; from the sons of Israel I have taken them to Myself;
- BPVBiblePics Version
- They are entirely dedicated to me from among the people of Israel; instead of every firstborn that opens the womb, I have taken them for myself.
Context: Numbers 8
14Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.
15And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering.
16For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
17For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.
18And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel.
About Numbers 8: The Consecration of the Levites
God gives instructions for the lighting and care of the lampstand.
Commentary
In Numbers 8, the Lord instructs Moses to set up the Levites as a special group of priests to serve in the Tabernacle. The Lord commands that the Levites be taken from among the Israelites and set apart for service in the Tabernacle. The Lord then gives Moses instructions on how to consecrate the Levites. He is to lay his hands on them and present them as a wave offering to the Lord. The Lord then instructs Moses to assign the Levites to their duties in the Tabernacle. The Levites are to be responsible for the care and maintenance of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.