Numbers 8:25
Numbers 8:25 in Multiple Translations
But at the age of fifty, they must retire from performing the work and no longer serve.
And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more:
and from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the work, and shall serve no more,
But after they are fifty years old, they are to give up their work and do no more;
However, once they reach the age of fifty they need to retire from the work and won't serve any longer.
And after the age of fiftie yeere, they shall cease from executing the office, and shall serue no more:
and from a son of fifty years he doth return from the host of the service, and doth not serve any more,
and from the age of fifty years they shall retire from doing the work, and shall serve no more,
And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service of it , and shall serve no more:
And when they shall have accomplished the fiftieth year of their age, they shall cease to serve:
But after they become 50 years old, they must ◄retire/not do that work any more►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 8:25
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 8:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/מִ/בֶּן֙
חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים
שָׁנָ֔ה
יָשׁ֖וּב
מִ/צְּבָ֣א
הָ/עֲבֹדָ֑ה
וְ/לֹ֥א
יַעֲבֹ֖ד
עֽוֹד
וּ/מִ/בֶּן֙
bên
H1121
son
Conj | Prep | N-ms
חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים
chămishshîym
H2572
fifty
Adj
שָׁנָ֔ה
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fs
יָשׁ֖וּב
shûwb
H7725
to return
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
מִ/צְּבָ֣א
tsâbâʼ
H6635
army
Prep | N-cs
הָ/עֲבֹדָ֑ה
ʻăbôdâh
H5656
service
Art | N-fs
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יַעֲבֹ֖ד
ʻâbad
H5647
to serve
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
עֽוֹד
ʻôwd
H5750
still
Adv
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 8:25
וּ/מִ/בֶּן֙
bên
H1121
"son"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים
chămishshîym
H2572
"fifty"
Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number fifty, used in various biblical contexts like measurements and quantities. It appears in Leviticus and Numbers.
Definition: 1) fifty 1a) fifty (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of fifty (with other numbers) 1c) fiftieth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: fifty. See also: Genesis 6:15; 1 Kings 7:2; Isaiah 3:3.
שָׁנָ֔ה
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
יָשׁ֖וּב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
מִ/צְּבָ֣א
tsâbâʼ
H6635
"army"
Prep | N-cs
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service
Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.
הָ/עֲבֹדָ֑ה
ʻăbôdâh
H5656
"service"
Art | N-fs
This Hebrew word means service or work, including serving God or others. It appears in various forms in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe labor or ministry.
Definition: : service[as_servant/slave] 1) labour, service 1a) labour, work 1b) labour (of servant or slave) 1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects) 1d) service (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought. See also: Genesis 29:27; Numbers 18:6; Psalms 104:14.
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יַעֲבֹ֖ד
ʻâbad
H5647
"to serve"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.
עֽוֹד
ʻôwd
H5750
"still"
Adv
The word 'still' means something continues or happens again, like in Genesis 29:26 and Isaiah 2:11. It can also mean 'more' or 'additionally'.
Definition: subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)
Usage: Occurs in 459 OT verses. KJV: again, [idiom] all life long, at all, besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer, (any) more(-over), [idiom] once, since, (be) still, when, (good, the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet (within). See also: Genesis 4:25; Judges 9:37; 2 Chronicles 32:16.
Study Notes — Numbers 8:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 8:25 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 8:25
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 8:25
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 8:25
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 8:25
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 8:25
- Sermons on Numbers 8:25
Context — Retirement for Levites
23And the LORD said to Moses,
24“This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years of age or older shall enter to perform the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting.
25But at the age of fifty, they must retire from performing the work and no longer serve.
26After that, they may assist their brothers in fulfilling their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves are not to do the work. This is how you are to assign responsibilities to the Levites.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 4:23 | from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. |
| 2 | 2 Timothy 4:7 | I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. |
Numbers 8:25 Summary
[This verse means that the Levites, who were responsible for serving in the Tent of Meeting, had to retire from their duties at the age of fifty. This was to prevent them from overexerting themselves and to allow younger Levites to take over, as seen in Numbers 8:24-26. It also shows that God values the contributions of all people, regardless of age, and has a plan for each stage of life, as stated in Psalm 71:9 and Jeremiah 29:11. By trusting in God's plan, we can find purpose and meaning in every season of life.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God set an age limit for the Levites to retire from serving?
God set an age limit to ensure the Levites did not overexert themselves and to allow for the transfer of knowledge and experience to younger generations, as seen in Numbers 8:24-26 and supported by the principle of honoring the elderly in Deuteronomy 27:16 and Leviticus 19:32.
What kind of work were the Levites required to do before retiring at age fifty?
The Levites were responsible for the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting, as stated in Numbers 8:24, which included various duties such as maintaining the tabernacle and its furnishings, as described in Exodus 35:10-19 and Numbers 3:6-10.
Can this verse be applied to modern-day ministry and work?
While the specifics of this verse apply to the Levites in the Old Testament, the principle of recognizing one's limitations and allowing for the transfer of responsibilities can be applied to modern-day ministry and work, as seen in Psalm 71:9 and Acts 13:36.
How did the retired Levites continue to serve after age fifty?
After retiring from performing the work, the Levites were allowed to assist their brothers in fulfilling their duties at the Tent of Meeting, as stated in Numbers 8:26, demonstrating that retirement did not mean complete cessation of service, but rather a shift in responsibilities, as also seen in 1 Timothy 5:9-10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can continue to serve the Lord even if I am no longer able to perform certain tasks or responsibilities?
- How can I ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities to the next generation, just like the Levites were instructed to do?
- In what ways can I honor and respect those who have served faithfully and are now retired, as commanded in Leviticus 19:32 and Deuteronomy 27:16?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of recognizing our limitations and trusting in God's plan for our lives, as seen in Psalm 138:8 and Isaiah 46:4?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 8:25
And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service [thereof],.... The heavy service of it: and shall serve no more; by bearing and carrying the vessels of the sanctuary upon
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 8:25
And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more: From ... fifty ... they shall cease waiting ... - i:e., on the laborious and exhausting parts of their work.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 8:25
i.e. Upon the difficult and cumbersome part of their work.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 8:25
5–26. The Levites Numbers 8:5-22. Their purification and dedication, Numbers 8:23-26. The age of service. The passage is an expansion of Num 3:5-13, with the addition of the rite of purification. The Levites are inferior to the priests, and are therefore merely cleansed from the ceremonial pollution of ordinary life, while the priests receive something higher, an actual quality which the Hebrews called ‘holiness,’ i.e. not moral excellence, but separation, exclusiveness (Exodus 29, Leviticus 8).
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 8:25
AGE LIMITS TO SERVICE, Numbers 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.
Sermons on Numbers 8:25
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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You Can Fulfill God's Perfect Plan by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking and following God's plan for our lives. He uses the example of the apostle Paul, who faced numerous challenges and |
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Ii Timothy - Part 2 - Proclaim the Gospel by John Stott | In this sermon, Reverend John R. focuses on the importance of preaching the word of God. He emphasizes that our proclamation should be urgent, never losing our sense of urgency in |
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Judgement Seat - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the significance of our lives and actions in the context of the Judgment Seat of Christ, where every believer will be held accountable for their servic |
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Almost Persuaded by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher begins by expressing gratitude and praise to God. He then addresses a specific person, a girl he met on the street who was carrying a baby, and emphasi |
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The Judgement Seat of Christ - Part 2 (Alternate) by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the significance of the Judgment Seat of Christ, where every believer's life and service will be evaluated. He contrasts the eternal rewards for faithf |
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Running the Right Race (Birmingham Conference) by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of running the right race in the Christian life, distinguishing between the spirit race, which leads to Christ, and the flesh race, which |
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(Titus - Part 25): The Christian and Good Works I by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of a faithful saying, which is a phrase often used by Paul in his writings. There is some debate among commentators about whether |