The Lamps and the Consecration of the Levites
Numbers 8
Aaron sets up the lamps of the golden candlestick as the Lord instructed Moses, and then the Levites are purified, presented before the congregation, and dedicated to the Lord in place of Israel's firstborn. The Lord sets the age of service for the Levites from twenty-five to fifty years old.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAND the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων, λάλησον τῷ Ἀαρὼν,
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
2
ThomsonSpeak to Aaron, and thou shalt say to him, When thou hast put on the side lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in a range with the front of the candlestick.
BrentonSpeak to Aaron, and thou shalt say to him, Whenever thou shalt set the lamps in order, the seven lamps shall give light opposite the candlestick.
Greekκαὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτὸν, ὅταν ἐπιτιθῇς τοὺς λύχνους ἐκ μέρους, κατὰ πρόσωπον τῆς λυχνίας φωτιοῦσιν οἱ ἑπτὰ λύχνοι.
KJVSpeak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.
JPS’Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him: When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the candlestick.’
3
ThomsonAnd Aaron did so. On each side, on a range with the front of the candlestick, he lighted the lamps thereof as the Lord commanded Moses.
BrentonAnd Aaron did so: on one side opposite the candlestick he lighted its lamps, as the Lord appointed Moses.
GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησεν οὕτως Ἀαρών· ἐκ τοῦ ἑνὸς μέρους κατὰ πρόσωπον τῆς λυχνίας ἐξῆψε τοὺς λύχνους αὐτῆς, καθὰ συνέταξε Κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ·
KJVAnd Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
JPSAnd Aaron did so: he lighted the lamps thereof so as to give light in front of the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
4
ThomsonNow the workmanship of the candlestick was of solid gold; both its stem, and its lilies, were of one solid piece. He had made the candlestick according to the pattern which the Lord shewed Moses.
BrentonAnd this is the construction of the candlestick: it is solid, golden—its stem, and its lilies—all solid: according to the pattern which the Lord shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
GreekΚαὶ αὕτη ἡ κατασκευὴ τῆς λυχνίας· στερεὰ, χρυσῆ, ὁ καυλὸς αὐτῆς, καὶ τὰ κρίνα αὐτῆς, στερεὰ ὅλη· κατὰ τὸ εἶδος ὃ ἔδειξε Κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ, οὕτως ἐποίησε τὴν λυχνίαν.
KJVAnd this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
JPSAnd this was the work of the candlestick, beaten work of gold; unto the base thereof, and unto the flowers thereof, it was beaten work; according unto the pattern which the LORD had shown Moses, so he made the candlestick.
5
ThomsonMoreover the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν λέγων,
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
6
ThomsonTake the Levites from among the children of Israel, and purify them.
BrentonTake the Levites out of the midst of the children of Israel, and thou shalt purify them.
Greekλάβε τοὺς Λευίτας ἐκ μέσου υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἀφαγνιεῖς αὐτούς.
KJVTake the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.
JPS’Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.
7
ThomsonAnd in this manner thou shalt perform their purification. Thou shalt sprinkle them with the water of purification, and a razor shall pass over their whole body, and they shall wash their clothes, and they will be clean.
BrentonAnd thus shalt thou perform their purification: thou shalt sprinkle them with water of purification, and a razor shall come upon the whole of their body, and they shall wash their garments, and shall be clean.
GreekΚαὶ οὕτω ποιήσεις αὐτοῖς τὸν ἁγνισμὸν αὐτῶν· περιῤῥανεῖς αὐτοὺς ὕδωρ ἁγνισμοῦ· καὶ ἐπελεύσεται ξυρὸν ἐπὶ πᾶν τὸ σῶμα αὐτῶν, καὶ πλυνοῦσι τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν, καὶ καθαροὶ ἔσονται.
KJVAnd thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.
JPSAnd thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them, and let them cause a razor to pass over all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.
8
ThomsonThen they shall take a young bull from the herd, with his sacrifice, to wit, fine flour mixed up with oil; and thou shalt take a yearling bull from the herd for a sin offering,
BrentonAnd they shall take one calf of the herd, and its meat-offering, fine flour mingled with oil: and thou shalt take a calf of a year old of the herd for a sin-offering.
GreekΚαὶ λήμψονται μόσχον ἕνα ἐκ βοῶν, καὶ τούτου θυσίαν σεμίδαλιν ἀναπεποιημένην ἐν ἐλαίῳ· καὶ μόσχον ἐνιαύσιον ἐκ βοῶν λήψῃ περὶ ἁμαρτίας.
KJVThen let them take a young bullock with his meat offering, even fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin offering.
JPSThen let them take a young bullock, and its meal-offering, fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin-offering.
9
Thomsonand bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the testimony, and assemble all the congregation of Israel’s sons,
BrentonAnd thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of witness; and thou shalt assemble all the congregation of the sons of Israel.
GreekΚαὶ προσάξεις τοὺς Λευίτας ἔναντι τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου· καὶ συνάξεις πᾶσαν συναγωγὴν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ·
KJVAnd thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together:
JPSAnd thou shalt present the Levites before the tent of meeting; and thou shalt assemble the whole congregation of the children of Israel.
10
Thomsonand present the Levites before the Lord.
BrentonAnd thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord; and the sons of Israel shall lay their hands upon the Levites.
GreekΚαὶ προσάξεις τοὺς Λευίτας ἔναντι Κυρίου, καὶ ἐπιθήσουσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τοὺς Λευίτας·
KJVAnd thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites:
JPSAnd thou shalt present the Levites before the LORD; and the children of Israel shall lay their hands upon the Levites.
11
ThomsonAnd the sons of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites; and Aaron shall set the Levites apart before the Lord, as a gift from the sons of Israel; and they shall be set apart to perform the works of the Lord.
BrentonAnd Aaron shall separate the Levites for a gift before the Lord from the children of Israel: and they shall be prepared to perform the works of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ ἀφοριεῖ Ἀαρὼν τοὺς Λευίτας ἀπόδομα ἔναντι Κυρίου παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ· καὶ ἔσονται ὥστε ἐργάζεσθαι τὰ ἔργα Κυρίου.
KJVAnd Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD.
JPSAnd Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for a wave-offering from the children of Israel, that they may be to do the service of the LORD.
12
ThomsonThen the Levites shall lay their hands on the head of the young bulls. And thou shalt offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a whole burnt offering, to make atonement for them.
BrentonAnd the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the calves; and thou shalt offer one for a sin-offering, and the other for a whole-burnt-offering to the Lord, to make atonement for them.
GreekΟἱ δὲ Λευῖται ἐπιθήσονσι τὰς χεῖρας ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς τῶν μόσχων· καὶ ποιήσεις τὸν ἕνα περὶ ἁμαρτίας, καὶ τὸν ἕνα εἰς ὁλοκαύτωμα Κυρίῳ, ἐξιλάσασθαι περὶ αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, unto the LORD, to make an atonement for the Levites.
JPSAnd the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks; and offer thou the one for a sin-offering, and the other for a burnt-offering, unto the LORD, to make atonement for the Levites.
13
ThomsonThen thou shalt place the Levites before the Lord, and before Aaron and before his sons, and give them as a gift before the Lord.
BrentonAnd thou shalt set the Levites before the Lord, and before Aaron, and before his sons; and thou shalt give them as a gift before the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ στήσεις τοὺς Λευίτας ἔναντι Κυρίου, καὶ ἔναντι Ἀαρὼν, καὶ ἔναντι τῶν υἱῶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀποδώσεις αὐτοὺς ἀπόδομα ἔναντι Κυρίου·
KJVAnd thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them for an offering unto the LORD.
JPSAnd thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them for a wave-offering unto the LORD.
14
ThomsonSo thou shalt separate the Levites from among the sons of Israel, and they shall belong to me.
BrentonAnd thou shalt separate the Levites from the midst of the sons of Israel, and they shall be mine.
GreekΚαὶ διαστελεῖς τοὺς Λευίτας ἐκ μέσου υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ· καὶ ἔσονταί μοι.
KJVThus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.
JPSThus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be Mine.
15
ThomsonAnd after this, the Levites shall go in to do the works of the tabernacle of the testimony, when thou hast purified them, and given them up before the Lord.
BrentonAnd afterwards the Levites shall go in to perform the works of the tabernacle of witness; and thou shalt purify them, and present them before the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ μετὰ ταῦτα εἰσελεύσονται οἱ Λευῖται ἐργάζεσθαι τὰ ἔργα τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίον· καὶ καθαριεῖς αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀποδώσεις αὐτοὺς ἔναντι Κυρίου.
KJVAnd 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.
JPS—
16
ThomsonBecause they are solemnly given up to me from among the children of Israel; I have taken them for myself from among the children of Israel, instead of all the males who are the first-born of their mothers.
BrentonFor these are given to me for a present out of the midst of the children of Israel: I have taken them to myself instead of all the first-born of the sons of Israel that open every womb.
Greekὅτι ἀπόδομα ἀποδεδομένοι οὗτοί μοι εἰσὶν ἐκ μέσου υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ· ἀντὶ τῶν διανοιγόντων πᾶσαν μήτραν πρωτοτόκων πάντων ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ εἴληφα αὐτοὺς ἐμοί.
KJVFor 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.
JPSFor 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.
17
ThomsonBecause every first-born among the children of Israel, whether of man or beast, belongeth to me
BrentonFor every first-born among the children of Israel is mine, whether of man or beast: in the day in which I smote every first-born in the land of Egypt, I sanctified them to myself.
GreekὍτι ἐμοὶ πᾶν πρωτότοκον ἐν υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ ἀπὸ ἀνθρώπων ἕως κτήνους· ᾗ ἡμέρᾳ ἐπάταξα πᾶν πρωτότοκον ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτου, ἡγίασα αὐτοὺς ἐμοὶ,
KJVFor 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.
JPSFor all the first-born among the children of Israel are Mine, both man and beast; on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for Myself.
18
Thomson(on the day when I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, I hallowed them for myself) and I have taken the Levites instead of all the first born among the children of Israel,
BrentonAnd I took the Levites in the place of every first-born among the children of Israel.
Greekκαὶ ἔλαβον τοὺς Λευίτας ἀντὶ παντὸς πρωτοτόκου ἐν υἱοῖς Ἰσραήλ.
KJVAnd I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel.
JPSAnd I have taken the Levites instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel.
19
Thomsonand have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons, from among the children of Israel, to do the works of the children of Israel at the tabernacle of the testimony, and to make atonement for the children of Israel; therefore none among the children of Israel shall come near the Holies.
BrentonAnd I gave the Levites presented as a gift to Aaron and his sons out of the midst of the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of witness, and to make atonement for the children of Israel: thus there shall be none among the sons of Israel to draw nigh to the holy things.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέδωκα τοὺς Λευίτας ἀπόδομα δεδομένους Ἀαρὼν καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ ἐκ μέσου υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, ἐργάζεσθαι τὰ ἔργα τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, καὶ ἐξιλάσκεσθαι περὶ τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ· καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ προσεγγίζων πρὸς τὰ ἅγια.
KJVAnd I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.
JPSAnd I have given the Levites— they are given to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tent of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel, through the children of Israel coming nigh unto the sanctuary.’
20
ThomsonSo Moses and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites as the Lord commanded Moses in respect to them.
BrentonAnd Moses and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites as the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the sons of Israel did to them.
GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησε Μωυσῆς καὶ Ἀαρὼν καὶ πᾶσα ἡ συναγωγὴ υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ τοῖς Λευίταις καθὰ ἐνετείλατο Κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ περὶ τῶν Λευιτῶν, οὕτως ἐποίησαν αὐτοῖς οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVAnd Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them.
JPSThus did Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the Levites; according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses touching the Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them.
21
ThomsonNow when the children of Israel had done so to them, and the Levites were purified, and had washed their clothes, and Aaron had solemnly given them up in the presence of the Lord, and had made atonement for them to purify them;
BrentonSo the Levites purified themselves and washed their garments; and Aaron presented them as a gift before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them to purify them.
GreekΚαὶ ἡγνίσαντο οἱ Λευῖται, καὶ ἐπλύναντο τὰ ἱμάτια· καὶ ἀπέδωκεν αὐτοὺς Ἀαρὼν ἀπόδομα ἔναντι Κυρίου, καὶ ἐξιλάσατο περὶ αὐτῶν Ἀαρὼν ἀφαγνίσασθαι αὐτούς.
KJVAnd the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.
JPSAnd the Levites purified themselves, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them for a sacred gift before the LORD; and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.
22
Thomsonand, after this, the Levites had gone in to perform their service in the tabernacle of the testimony, in the presence of Aaron and his sons—when they had done thus for the Levites, as the Lord commanded Moses in respect to them;
BrentonAnd afterwards the Levites went in to minister in their service in the tabernacle of witness before Aaron, and before his sons; as the Lord appointed Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.
GreekΚαὶ μετὰ ταῦτα εἰσῆλθον οἱ Λευῖται λειτουργεῖν τὴν λειτουργίαν αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου ἔναντι Ἀαρὼν, καὶ ἔναντι τῶν υἱῶν αὐτοῦ· καθὰ συνέταξε Κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ περὶ τῶν Λευιτῶν, οὕτως ἐποίησαν αὐτοῖς.
KJVAnd after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.
JPSAnd after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron, and before his sons; as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.
23
Thomsonthen the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων,
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
24
ThomsonThere is this further in respect to the Levites—
BrentonThis is the ordinance for the Levites; From five and twenty years old and upward, they shall go in to minister in the tabernacle of witness.
Greekτοῦτό ἐστι τὸ περὶ τῶν Λευιτῶν· ἀπὸ πέντε καὶ εἰκοσαετοῦς καὶ ἐπάνω, εἰσελεύσονται ἐνεργεῖν ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου·
KJVThis 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:
JPS’This is that which pertaineth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to perform the service in the work of the tent of meeting;
25
Thomsonfrom twenty five years and upwards, they shall go in to perform service at the tabernacle of the testimony; but after fifty years of age, they are to be withdrawn from the service, and work no more.
BrentonAnd from fifty years old the Levite shall cease from the ministry, and shall not work any longer.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπὸ πεντηκονταετοῦς ἀποστήσεται ἀπὸ τῆς λειτουργίας, καὶ οὐκ ἐργᾶται ἔτι.
KJVAnd from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more:
JPSand from the age of fifty years they shall return from the service of the work, and shall serve no more;
26
ThomsonAs brothers, they are to keep watch at the tabernacle of the testimony, but not to perform laborious work. In this manner thou shalt dispose of the Levites among their watches.
BrentonAnd his brother shall serve in the tabernacle of witness to keep charges, but he shall not do works: so shalt thou do to the Levites in their charges.
GreekΚαὶ λειτουργήσει ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὑτοῦ ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου φυλάσσειν φυλακὰς, ἔργα δὲ οὐκ ἐργᾶται· οὕτως ποιήσεις τοῖς Λευίταις ἐν ταῖς φυλακαῖς αὐτῶν.
KJVBut 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.
JPSbut shall minister with their brethren in the tent of meeting, to keep the charge, but they shall do no manner of service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charges.’