Numbers 8:18

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

But I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel.

American Standard Version (1901)

And I have taken the Levites instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel.

Bible in Basic English

And in place of the first sons among the children of Israel, I have taken the Levites.

Free Bible Version

I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn sons of the Israelites.

King James (Authorized) Version

And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel.

One Unity Resource Bible

I have taken the Levites [Descendants of United with] instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel [God prevails].

Translation for Translators

But now I have chosen the descendants of Levi to take the places of the firstborn males of other Israelis.

Unlocked Literal Bible

I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of all the firstborn.

Noah Webster Bible

And I have taken the Levites for all the first-born of the children of Israel.

World English Bible

I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation

and I take the Levites instead of every first-born among the sons of Israel:

Context

Cleansing the Levites

¹⁷For every firstborn male in Israel is Mine, both man and beast. I set them apart for Myself on the day I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.¹⁸But I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel.¹⁹And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the Israelites, to perform the service for the Israelites at the Tent of Meeting and to make atonement on their behalf, so that no plague will come against the Israelites when they approach the sanctuary.”

Summary

In Numbers 8:18, God instructs the Levites to fully dedicate themselves to His service by assisting the priests in the tabernacle. This verse emphasizes the importance of consecration and commitment in serving the Lord wholeheartedly. The Levites were chosen for specific duties to maintain the holiness of the sanctuary and facilitate worship. Their obedience and faithfulness in carrying out these responsibilities were crucial for the spiritual well-being of the community. Numbers 8:18 underscores the significance of serving God with reverence, diligence, and purity.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel. Gave up his right in the firstborn, and instead of them took the Levites for his use and service: see Num 3:12. . Numbers 8:19 num 8:19 num 8:19 num 8:19And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons, from among the children of Israel,.... Or I have given the Levites that were given; that is, the Lord gave to Aaron and his sons the Levites, that were first given to him; as they were, when brought before him, and the children of Israel laid hands on them, and they were offered before the Lord, Num 8:10, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation; to do what otherwise they must have done, watch and guard the tabernacle, carry the sacrifices to the priests, assist them at the altar, take down and set up the tabernacle, and carry it, and the vessels of it, from place to place: and to make an atonement for the children of Israel; not by offering sacrifices for them, which was the work of the priests, but by being now offered themselves, Num 8:10; that they themselves might be the atonement of their souls as Aben Ezra expresses it, as well as they were by their service hereafter a means of preserving the Israelites from death; which may be interpreted of making an atonement, which Phinehas is said to do by his deed, though no sacrifice was offered, Num 25:7; which sense seems to be confirmed by what follows: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh to the sanctuary; by approaching nearer than they should, touching what they ought not, intruding themselves into service they were not called to, or doing it amiss, not being instructed in it, or inured to it as the Levites were. The phrase, "the children of Israel", is five times used in this verse, to denote the love of God to them, as Jarchi observes.