Numbers 8:1-14 ▼

1 The LORD told Moses,

2 |Tell Aaron, 'When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps will illuminate the area in front of the lamp stand.'|

3 So Aaron did so, setting up the lamps to illuminate the area in front of the lamp stand, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

4 This was how the lamp stand was crafted from hammered gold: From its base to its flowers, it was made of hammered gold. Moses crafted the lamp stand just as the LORD had showed him.

5 Then the LORD told Moses,

6 |Take the descendants of Levi from the Israelis and purify them.

7 This is what you are to do for them in order to purify them: Sprinkle purifying water over them, have them shave their skin, and then have them wash their garments, and they will be purified.

8 They are to take a young bull along with its meal offering made of flour mixed with oil. Then you are to take a second young bull as a sin offering.

9 Assemble the descendants of Levi in front of the appointed place of meeting, and assemble the whole congregation of Israel, too.

10 Bring the descendants of Levi into the LORD's presence and have the Israelis lay their hands on the descendants of Levi.

11 |Then Aaron is to present the descendants of Levi as a wave offering before the LORD from the Israelis, because they are to work in the service of the LORD.

12 The descendants of Levi are then to lay their hands on the head of the bulls, offering one for a sin offering and the other one for a burnt offering to the LORD to atone for the descendants of Levi.

13 You are to make the descendants of Levi stand in the presence of Aaron and his sons. Then you are to wave them as wave offerings to the LORD.

14 This is how you are to separate the descendants of Levi from among the Israelis. The descendants of Levi belong to me.