Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “This is what is assigned to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall go in to wait on the service in the work of the Tent of Meeting; and from the age of fifty years they shall retire from doing the work, and shall serve no more, but shall assist their brothers in the Tent of Meeting, to perform the duty, and shall perform no service. This is how you shall have the Levites do their duties.”
Parallel Translations
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Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
“This is what is assigned to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall go in to wait on the service in the work of the Tent of Meeting;
and from the age of fifty years they shall retire from doing the work, and shall serve no more,
but shall assist their brothers in the Tent of Meeting, to perform the duty, and shall perform no service. This is how you shall have the Levites do their duties.”
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And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
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:
And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more:
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.
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And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
'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;
and from the age of fifty years they shall return from the service of the work, and shall serve no more;
but 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.'
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Contradictions (1)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (21)
- Numbers 4:3 (v24) from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all who enter into the service to do the work in the Tent of Meeting.
- 1 Chronicles 23:3 (v24) The Levites were counted from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand.
- Numbers 1:53 (v26) But the Levites shall encamp around the Tabernacle of the Testimony, that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the children of…
- Numbers 4:23 (vv24–25) you shall count them from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old: all who enter in to wait on the service, to do the work in the…
- Numbers 3:32 (v26) Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be prince of the princes of the Levites, with the oversight of those who keep the requirements of…
Show all 20 cross-references
- Numbers 18:4 (v26) They shall be joined to you and keep the responsibility of the Tent of Meeting, for all the service of the Tent. A stranger shall not come…
- Numbers 31:30 (v26) Of the children of Israel’s half, you shall take one drawn out of every fifty, of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the…
- 1 Chronicles 23:24-27 (v24) These were the sons of Levi after their fathers’ houses, even the heads of the fathers’ houses of those who were counted individually, in…
- 1 Chronicles 23:32 (v26) and that they should keep the duty of the Tent of Meeting, the duty of the holy place, and the duty of the sons of Aaron their brothers,…
- 1 Chronicles 26:20-29 (v26) Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of God’s house and over the treasures of the dedicated things. The sons of Ladan, the sons of…
- 1 Chronicles 28:12-13 (v24) and the plans of all that he had by the Spirit, for the courts of Yahweh’s house, for all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of…
- Ezekiel 44:8 (v26) You have not performed the duty of my holy things; but you have set performers of my duty in my sanctuary for yourselves.”
- Ezekiel 44:11 (v26) Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having oversight at the gates of the house, and ministering in the house. They shall kill the…
- 1 Corinthians 9:7 (v24) What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and doesn’t eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, and doesn’t drink…
- 2 Corinthians 10:4 (v24) for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,
- 1 Timothy 4:15 (v26) Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all.
- 2 Timothy 2:3-5 (v24) You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he…
- 1 Timothy 1:18 (v24) I commit this instruction to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage…
- 1 Timothy 6:12 (v24) Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight…
- 2 Timothy 4:7 (v25) I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
20 distinct cross-references across this passage (21 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (18 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv25–26 Such office as was painful, as to bear burdens…
Such office as was painful, as to bear burdens and such like.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On v24 Num 8:24 This [is it] that [belongeth] unto the…
Num 8:24 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:
Ver. 24. From twenty-five years.] {See Trapp on "Num 4:30"}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv24–26 From twenty and five years old. See Poole "Num…
From twenty and five years old. See Poole "Num 4:3".
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv23–25 This is it that belongeth unto the Levites,.... The…
This is it that belongeth unto the Levites,.... The fixed and settled time for their service, as is after related:
from twenty and five years old and upward, they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; in Num 4:3; the time for the Levites entering on the work of the tabernacle is fixed to thirty years and upward, which Jarchi reconciles thus; at twenty five years old the Levite goes in to learn the rites of service, and he learns five years, and when thirty years of age he services; the same is observed by others (w); but what Aben Ezra proposes seems much better; at thirty years of age a Levite entered into the service of bearing and carrying burdens; and at twenty five years of age he entered into the service of the tent or tabernacle, where he was employed in lighter service, such as opening and shutting the doors of the sanctuary, keeping out strangers and unclean persons, and singing the songs of the sanctuary; but was not concerned till thirty years of age in carrying the vessels of the sanctuary on the shoulders, as the Kohathites; or in taking down and setting up the tabernacle, loading and unloading the wagons, as the Gershonites and Merarites; which is the business assigned unto them, and spoken of in Num 4:22, where the age of thirty years, and upward, is mentioned, as the time of their entrance on it, Num 4:23.
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(w) Ben Gersom in loc. Bartenora in Pirke Abot, c. 5. sect. 21.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v26 In the tabernacle - By way of advice, and…
In the tabernacle - By way of advice, and assistance in lesser and easier works.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv24, 26 Verse 24. From twenty and five years old] See…
Verse 24. From twenty and five years old] See Clarke on Nu 4:3, where the two terms of twenty-five and thirty years are reconciled.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v25 Num 8:25-26. From the age of fifty — they…
Num 8:25-26. From the age of fifty — they shall cease waiting — Shall be excused from carrying the parts and vessels of the tabernacle, and all the toilsome duties of the service, and shall only give advice and direction, and assist in lesser and easier works. How merciful and full of compassion are the laws of God! When his servants became advanced in years in his service, they were not required to do the same work which they did when younger. But doubtless many of them, who were of age to take the benefit of this kind provision made for them, would show their love to God by still exerting in some way their last remains of strength in his service. And surely happy are they who, by the blessing of God on a temperate life, are preserved to old age, with strength to labour in His service who gave them being, and died to redeem them.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v24 Twenty and five years old and upward - The…
Twenty and five years old and upward - The permanent limit as distinguished from the temporary Num 4:3, Num 4:23, Num 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 1Ch 23:24-28. This rule continued in force from the time of David downward (compare on 2Ch 31:17; Ezr 3:8).
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv25–26 Serve, in any laborious functions, as the original imports.
Serve, in any laborious functions, as the original imports.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv24–26 from twenty and five years old, &c.--(Compare Num 4:3).…
from twenty and five years old, &c.--(Compare Num 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.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv23–24 AGE LIMITS TO LEVITICAL SERVICE, Num_8:23-26.
AGE LIMITS TO LEVITICAL SERVICE, Num_8:23-26.
There is great propriety in fixing the limits of active service in the case of all who are set apart to an office for life. Yet the priests for some reason were not restricted in this respect. The office of the sons of Aaron did not require the same degree of physical strength as that of the Levites; whereas, the service of the latter being more severe, especially until the tabernacle was permanently located, it was more necessary that they should be protected by the law. See Num_4:3. For the discrepancy between twenty-five years, the lower limit in this chapter, and thirty years, as prescribed in chapter iv, see General Remarks, (2,) at the end of the latter chapter. “In Moses’s time the Levites from the age of twenty-five were employed in the lighter kinds of service, while, for the transportation of the heavier materials of the tabernacle, when the Israelites were on the march, men older and stronger were required. After the temple was built, its much less onerous service permitted the standard of age to be lowered to twenty years. After the age of fifty the Levites were simply to keep the charge, or guard, in the tabernacle, but were exempted from all laborious duties.” — Haley.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv24, 26 24. that which belongeth unto the Levites] An elliptical…
24. that which belongeth unto the Levites] An elliptical expression: that which [thou shall do] With regard to the Levites.
from twenty and five years old] In Num_4:3 the age is from thirty years. See note there.
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to wait upon the service] R.V. marg. ‘to war the warfare.’ See on Num_4:3.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv24, 26 (24) From twenty and five years old and upward.—This…
(24) From twenty and five years old and upward.—This regulation may be understood as referring to the age at which the Levites were to enter upon their duties after the people had taken possession of the land of Canaan, and it appears to have remained in force until the time of David, who substituted the age of twenty for that of twenty-five, because the necessity of carrying the Tabernacle and its furniture from place to place, which arose but seldom after the entrance into Canaan, finally ceased after the removal of the ark to Mount Zion. The time of service during the wanderings in the wilderness was from thirty to fifty (Num_4:3; Num_4:23; Num_4:30), during which time the constant removal of the Tabernacle required the services of men in the full vigour of life. The chronological order of events is not always observed in this book, and the directions contained in Num_8:23-26 may have been given at a later period, but inserted here in connection with the account of the appointment of the Levites to their office. On the other hand, it is quite possible that from the first the Levites entered upon the lighter parts of their office at the age of twenty-five years, but were not employed before they were thirty years of age in the more onerous duties of removing the Tabernacle, or in bearing on their shoulders the sacred vessels, as in the case of the Kohathites.
To wait upon the service.—Literally, to war the warfare, or to serve the (military) service. Similarly, in the following verse, he shall return from the warfare of the service.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv24, 26 From twenty and five years old and upward. A…
From twenty and five years old and upward. A short time before the minimum age had been fixed at thirty. (Num_4:3) That direction, however, concerned the transport of the tabernacle and its belongings; this was a permanent regulation designed for the ordinary labours of the sanctuary at a time when the Levites would be scattered throughout their cities, and could only serve by courses. For the latter purpose many more would be required; and indeed they were found insufficient as it was in the latter days of David, when the wealth and devotion of the kingdom were fast increasing. (see on 1Ch_23:24-27) To wait upon the service. Literally, "to war the warfare;" the idea of the militia sacra is kept up.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v23 The Levites; from twenty and five years.
Num_8:23-26
The Levites; from twenty and five years.
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Service
I. The service God demands of all levites.
1. Burden-bearing.
2. Singing.
3. Study of the law, Search the Scriptures.
4. Attendance on the ordinances of the sanctuary.
II. God demands the service in our prime. From twenty and five.
III. God demands this service when it can be most easily rendered. He suits the burden to the back. All He asks is, that we shall do what we can. (R. A. Griffin.)
The Divine Master and His human servants
I. The necessity of fitness for the divine service. In learning any handicraft or trade, years are spent under instructors; for the practice of law or medicine men must have special training; and is it not important that they who engage in religious services should be qualified for such services?
II. The variety of employment in the divine service.
1. An encouragement to persons of feeble powers and narrow opportunities to try to do good.
2. A rebuke to those who plead inability as an excuse for their indolence in religious service.
III. The care of the great master for his servants. Conclusion. This subject supplies--
1. Encouragement to enter into this service. Come thou with us, &c.
2. Encouragement to persevere in this service. A glorious reward awaits those who patiently continue in well-doing. (W. Jones.)
Age and youth in relation to service
1. They were to enter upon the service at twenty-five years old (Num_8:24). They were not charged with the carrying of the tabernacle and the utensils of it till they were thirty years old (Num_4:3). But they were entered to be otherwise serviceable at twenty-five years old--a very good age for ministers to begin their public work. The work then required that strength of body, and the work now requires that maturity of judgment and staidness of behaviour which men rarely arrive at till about that age : and novices are in danger of being lifted up with pride.
2. They were to have a writ of ease at fifty years old; then they were to return from the warfare, as the phrase is (Num_8:25), not cashiered with disgrace--but preferred rather to the rest, which their age required, to be loaded with the honours of their office, as hitherto they had been with the burdens of it. They shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle, to direct the junior Levites, and set them in; and they shall keep the charge, as guards upon the avenues of the tabernacle, to see that no stranger intruded, nor any person in his uncleanness; but they shall not be put upon any service which may be a fatigue to them. If Gods grace provide that men shall have ability according to their work, mans prudence should take care that men have work but according to their ability. The aged are most fit for truths, and to keep the charge; the younger are most fit for work, and to do the service. Those that have used the office of a servant well, purchase to themselves a good degree (1Ti_3:13). Yet indeed gifts are not tied to ages (Job_32:9), but all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit. (Matthew Henry, D. D.)
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The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v23 The Age at Which the Levites Served
The Age at Which the Levites Served
v. 23. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
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v. 24. This is it that belongeth unto the Levites, this is the special regulation fixing the age limit of 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, be engaged in the ministry connected with the Lord’s Sanctuary;
v. 25. and from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof and shall serve no more, not be obliged to do the heavy work connected with the transport of the Tabernacle;
v. 26. but shall minister with their brethren in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, to keep the charge, have the supervision over the furniture and the vessels of the Sanctuary, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge, with regard to all the services which they were to perform. It was not a complete retirement which the Levites suffered, but they were relieved of the more difficult manual and physical labor connected with the offering of the sacrifices and with the service of the Tabernacle. David later modified these regulations by having all the Levites serve from the time they were twenty years old, 1Ch 23:24-25, and this ordinance remained in power while the kingdom of Judah existed.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv23, 25 All of this is for the Levites
All of this is for the Levites
"All of these commandments are for the Levites"
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twenty-five years old
"25 years old" (See: Numbers)
must join the company to serve in the tent of meeting
The word "company" refers to the rest of the people working in the tent of meeting. See how you translated this phrase in Numbers 4:3.
translationWords
Levi
tent of meeting
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v23 8:23-26 Guidelines regarding the Levites’ length of service. •…
8:23-26 Guidelines regarding the Levites’ length of service. • Whereas 4:3 states that their Tabernacle service began at age 30, 8:24 gives the age as 25. The discrepancy might reflect age requirements followed in different periods when the number of Levite men available for service varied, or those aged 25–29 may have been considered unofficial workers or apprentices. • Both passages establish the retirement age at 50; retired Levites could serve the Tabernacle as guards (cp. Ps 84:10).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.