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Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/8-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/04_Num_08_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 8:21 - Cleansing the Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes, and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD. 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Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD and made atonement for them to purify them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The Levites purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes, and Aaron lifted them up and presented them to the LORD as a special offering. He then offered a sacrifice to purify them and make them right with the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the Levites purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes, and Aaron offered them as a wave offering before the LORD, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes, and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD. Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them <i>as</i> an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes; then Aaron presented them <i>like</i> a wave offering before the LORD, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites, too, purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes; and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD. Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The Levites, too, purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes; and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD. Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The Levites, too, purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes; and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD. Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The Levites, too, purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes; and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before Yahweh. Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The Levites, too, purified themselves from sin and they washed their clothes; and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes; then Aaron presented them before the LORD as a presentation offering. Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them ceremonially.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes; then Aaron presented them before the LORD as a presentation offering. Aaron also made atonement for them to ceremonially cleanse them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their clothes: and Aaron offered them for a wave-offering before Jehovah; and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Levites sprinkled themselves with the water of forgiveness and washed their clothes. Then Aaron brought them to the altar and offered sacrifices to forgive their sins and make them acceptable to the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them for a wave offering before the LORD; and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The Levites performed the ceremonies to take away their sins and washed their clothes. Aaron presented them as an offering to the LORD and made peace with the LORD for them in order to make them clean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes, and Aaron dedicated them as a special gift to the LORD. He also performed the ritual of purification for them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The descendants of Levi therefore purified themselves, washed their clothes, and then Aaron presented them as wave offerings to the LORD. Aaron provided atonement for them to purify them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes, and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD. Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothing; then Aaron presented them like a wave offering before the LORD, and Aaron made atonement for them to purify them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them for a wave offering before the LORD; and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them for a wave offering before Yahweh and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the Levites cleanse themselves, and wash their garments, and Aaron waves them [as] a wave-offering before YHWH, and Aaron makes atonement for them to cleanse them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the Levites cleanse themselves, and wash their garments, and Aaron waveth them a wave-offering before Jehovah, and Aaron maketh atonement for them to cleanse them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the Levites will be purified, and will wash their garments; and Aaron will lift them up, a lifting up before Jehovah; and Aaron will expiate for them to cleanse them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they were purified, and washed their garments. And Aaron lifted them up in the sight of the Lard, and prayed for them, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they were purified, and they washed their garments. And Aaron lifted them up in the sight of the Lord, and he prayed for them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When the Levites had purified themselves and washed their garments, Aaron presented them as an elevated offering before the LORD, and made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The Levites purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes; then Aaron presented them as an elevation offering before the LORD, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And 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 and cleansed them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Levites were cleansed and they washed their garments and Ahron consecrated the Levites as a consecration before LORD JEHOVAH and Ahron atoned for them and purified them.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />So 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/8-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=2955" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/8.htm">Cleansing the Levites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>So Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation of Israel did with the Levites everything that the LORD had commanded Moses they should do. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: hal·wî·yim (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">The Levites</a> <a href="/hebrew/2398.htm" title="2398: way·yiṯ·ḥaṭ·ṭə·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn.">purified</a> <a href="/hebrew/3526.htm" title="3526: way·ḵab·bə·sū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To wash. A primitive root; to trample; hence, to wash, whether literal or figurative.">themselves and washed</a> <a href="/hebrew/899.htm" title="899: biḡ·ḏê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage. From bagad; a covering, i.e. Clothing; also treachery or pillage.">their clothes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/175.htm" title="175: ’a·hă·rōn (N-proper-ms) -- An elder brother of Moses. Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses.">and Aaron</a> <a href="/hebrew/5130.htm" title="5130: way·yā·nep̄ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To move to and fro, wave, sprinkle. A primitive root; to quiver; used in a great variety of applications.">presented</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/8573.htm" title="8573: tə·nū·p̄āh (N-fs) -- From nuwph; a brandishing; by implication, tumult; specifically, the official undulation of sacrificial offerings.">as a wave offering</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD.</a> <a href="/hebrew/175.htm" title="175: ’a·hă·rōn (N-proper-ms) -- An elder brother of Moses. Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses.">Aaron</a> <a href="/hebrew/3722.htm" title="3722: way·ḵap·pêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to cover; figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel.">also made atonement</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">for them</a> <a href="/hebrew/2891.htm" title="2891: lə·ṭa·hă·rām (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf:: 3mp) -- To be clean or pure. A primitive root; properly, to be bright; i.e. to be pure.">to cleanse them.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>After that, the Levites came to perform their service at the Tent of Meeting in the presence of Aaron and his sons. Thus they did with the Levites just as the LORD had commanded Moses.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/8-6.htm">Leviticus 8:6</a></span><br />Then Moses presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/29-4.htm">Exodus 29:4</a></span><br />Then present Aaron and his sons at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/29-15.htm">2 Chronicles 29:15-16</a></span><br />When they had assembled their brothers and consecrated themselves, they went in to cleanse the house of the LORD, according to the command of the king by the words of the LORD. / So the priests went inside the house of the LORD to cleanse it, and they brought out to the courtyard all the unclean things that they found in the temple of the LORD. Then the Levites took these things and carried them out to the Kidron Valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/16-4.htm">Leviticus 16:4</a></span><br />He is to wear the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments. He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments, and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-14.htm">Hebrews 9:14</a></span><br />how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-10.htm">John 13:10</a></span><br />Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-7.htm">Psalm 51:7</a></span><br />Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm">Ezekiel 36:25</a></span><br />I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-11.htm">1 Corinthians 6:11</a></span><br />And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-26.htm">Ephesians 5:26</a></span><br />to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/3-5.htm">Titus 3:5</a></span><br />He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/7-14.htm">Revelation 7:14</a></span><br />“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/40-12.htm">Exodus 40:12</a></span><br />Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/14-8.htm">Leviticus 14:8</a></span><br />The one being cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water; then he will be ceremonially clean. Afterward, he may enter the camp, but he must remain outside his tent for seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/7-1.htm">2 Corinthians 7:1</a></span><br />Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And 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.</p><p class="hdg">were purified</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Numbers 8:7</a></b></br> And 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 <i>so</i> make themselves clean.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/19-12.htm">Numbers 19:12,19</a></b></br> He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he purify not himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean… </p><p class="hdg">offered</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/8-11.htm">Numbers 8:11-13,15</a></b></br> And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD <i>for</i> an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/3-12.htm">Numbers 3:12</a></b></br> And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;</p><p class="hdg">Aaron made</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/8-12.htm">Numbers 8:12</a></b></br> And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer the one <i>for</i> a sin offering, and the other <i>for</i> a burnt offering, unto the LORD, to make an atonement for the Levites.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/8-20.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/numbers/8-19.htm">Atonement</a> <a href="/numbers/8-15.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/numbers/8-15.htm">Cleanse</a> <a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Garments</a> <a href="/numbers/8-19.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/numbers/6-17.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/numbers/8-15.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/numbers/8-15.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/numbers/8-15.htm">Presented</a> <a href="/numbers/8-15.htm">Purified</a> <a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Purify</a> <a href="/numbers/5-10.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/numbers/8-12.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Wash</a> <a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Washed</a> <a href="/numbers/8-15.htm">Wave</a> <a href="/numbers/8-15.htm">Wave-Offering</a> <a href="/leviticus/8-29.htm">Waveth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/8-22.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/numbers/15-25.htm">Atonement</a> <a href="/numbers/9-13.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/numbers/19-12.htm">Cleanse</a> <a href="/numbers/14-6.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/numbers/19-7.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/numbers/15-38.htm">Garments</a> <a href="/numbers/15-19.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/numbers/21-9.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/numbers/16-35.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/numbers/9-7.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/numbers/15-9.htm">Presented</a> <a href="/numbers/31-23.htm">Purified</a> <a href="/numbers/19-12.htm">Purify</a> <a href="/numbers/18-29.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/numbers/9-13.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/numbers/8-26.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/numbers/19-7.htm">Wash</a> <a href="/numbers/19-7.htm">Washed</a> <a href="/numbers/15-19.htm">Wave</a> <a href="/numbers/18-18.htm">Wave-Offering</a> <a href="/leviticus/8-27.htm">Waveth</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/8-1.htm">How the lamps are to be lighted</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/8-5.htm">The consecration of the Levites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/8-23.htm">The age and time of their service</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The Levites purified themselves</b><br>The purification of the Levites was a necessary step for their service in the tabernacle. This act of purification involved rituals that symbolized spiritual cleansing and dedication to God’s service. The Levites were set apart for the work of the Lord, and their purification was a physical representation of their spiritual readiness. This mirrors the New Testament call for believers to be spiritually pure and set apart for God's work (<a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a>).<p><b>and washed their clothes</b><br>Washing clothes was a common practice for ritual purification in ancient Israel, symbolizing the removal of impurity and sin. This act is reminiscent of the instructions given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai (<a href="/exodus/19-10.htm">Exodus 19:10</a>) and signifies a fresh start and readiness to serve. It also foreshadows the New Testament concept of being clothed in righteousness (<a href="/revelation/7-14.htm">Revelation 7:14</a>).<p><b>and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD</b><br>The wave offering was a symbolic act of presenting something to God and then receiving it back for use. Aaron, as the high priest, acted as a mediator between God and the Levites, presenting them to the Lord for His service. This act signifies the dedication of the Levites to God’s work, similar to how believers are called to present themselves as living sacrifices (<a href="/romans/12.htm">Romans 12:1</a>).<p><b>Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them</b><br>Atonement was necessary for the Levites to be cleansed from sin and to be fit for service. Aaron, as the high priest, performed this act, which involved sacrifices that pointed to the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ. This highlights the necessity of atonement for sin and the role of the priest as an intercessor, prefiguring Christ’s role as our High Priest who makes atonement for us (<a href="/hebrews/9-11.htm">Hebrews 9:11-12</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_levites.htm">The Levites</a></b><br>A tribe of Israel set apart for religious duties and service in the Tabernacle. They were chosen by God to assist the priests and perform various tasks related to worship and sacrifices.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a></b><br>The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He played a crucial role in the consecration and atonement process for the Levites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wave_offering.htm">Wave Offering</a></b><br>A type of offering in which the offering is waved before the LORD as a symbolic gesture of presenting it to God. It signifies dedication and consecration.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/purification_and_washing.htm">Purification and Washing</a></b><br>The Levites underwent a ritual cleansing process, which included washing their clothes, symbolizing spiritual and physical purification.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/atonement.htm">Atonement</a></b><br>The act of making amends or reparation for sin. Aaron made atonement for the Levites, signifying their cleansing and readiness to serve.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_purification.htm">The Importance of Purification</a></b><br>Just as the Levites needed to be purified before serving, believers today are called to pursue holiness and purity in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_atonement.htm">Role of Atonement</a></b><br>Atonement is essential for reconciliation with God. In the New Covenant, Jesus is our ultimate atonement, cleansing us from sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dedication_to_service.htm">Dedication to Service</a></b><br>The wave offering symbolizes dedication. Believers are called to present themselves as living sacrifices, wholly dedicated to God's service.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_leadership.htm">Community and Leadership</a></b><br>The Levites' role highlights the importance of community and leadership in worship. Each believer has a role in the body of Christ, contributing to the community's spiritual health.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_washing.htm">Symbolism of Washing</a></b><br>The act of washing clothes represents spiritual renewal. Believers are encouraged to regularly seek spiritual renewal through prayer, confession, and the Word.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_an_heir_in_the_bible.htm">What does being an heir mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_levites_live_without_farmland.htm">If the Levites had no land inheritance (Joshua 21:2), how could they sustainably live in the granted cities without farmland?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_there_non-biblical_records_of_priestly_offerings.htm">Numbers 18:8-19 outlines specific offerings for priests; are there non-biblical records confirming such detailed allocation of sacrificial portions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reliable_is_the_urim_and_thummim_claim.htm">Exodus 28:30: How reliable is the claim about the Urim and Thummim, given the lack of concrete archeological evidence or consistent references elsewhere?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Were purified,</span> or "purified themselves." It refers not to the ceremonial sprinkling, but to the personal preparation prescribed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/8-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The Levites</span><br /><span class="heb">הַלְוִיִּ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(hal·wî·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendant of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">purified</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּֽתְחַטְּא֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṯ·ḥaṭ·ṭə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn</span><br /><br /><span class="word">themselves and washed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיְכַבְּסוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·ḵab·bə·sū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3526.htm">Strong's 3526: </a> </span><span class="str2">To trample, to wash</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their clothes,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּגְדֵיהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(biḡ·ḏê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_899.htm">Strong's 899: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Aaron</span><br /><span class="heb">אַהֲרֹ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(’a·hă·rōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses</span><br /><br /><span class="word">presented</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֨נֶף</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·nep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5130.htm">Strong's 5130: </a> </span><span class="str2">To move to and fro, wave, sprinkle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹתָ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as a wave offering</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּנוּפָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(tə·nū·p̄āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8573.htm">Strong's 8573: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brandishing, tumult, the official undulation of sacrificial offerings</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Aaron</span><br /><span class="heb">אַהֲרֹ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(’a·hă·rōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses</span><br /><br /><span class="word">also made atonement</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְכַפֵּ֧ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·ḵap·pêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3722.htm">Strong's 3722: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for them</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to cleanse them.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְטַהֲרָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ṭa·hă·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2891.htm">Strong's 2891: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be clean or pure</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/8-21.htm">Numbers 8:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/8-21.htm">Numbers 8:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/8-21.htm">Numbers 8:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/8-21.htm">Numbers 8:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/8-21.htm">Numbers 8:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/8-21.htm">Numbers 8:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/8-21.htm">Numbers 8:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/8-21.htm">Numbers 8:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/8-21.htm">Numbers 8:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/8-21.htm">Numbers 8:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/8-21.htm">OT Law: Numbers 8:21 The Levites purified themselves from sin (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/8-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 8:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 8:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/8-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 8:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 8:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>