Numbers 8:23-26

C. LIMITS OF AGE AND SERVICE FOR THE LEVITES vv. 23-26
TEXT

Numbers 8:23. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 24, This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in and wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: 25. And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more: 26. 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.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 8:23. Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 24. This is the regulation of the Levites: from twenty-five years of age and up they shall go in to do service in the work of the Tent of Meeting. 25. But at the age of fifty they shall retire from service in the work, and not work any more. 26. However, they may help their brothers in the Tent of Meeting, to keep an obligation; but they shall not do any work themselves. You shall use this regulation upon the Levites in their commission.

COMMENTARY

In Numbers 4:3-49, the ages for service among the Levites is given at thirty to fifty: but a careful reading will show the logical difference between the two prescriptions. In the earlier passage, the assignment is for the transportation of the tabernacle and its trappings; in the passage before us, the Levites are to render all the services necessary to its use. Such duties would include the tasks of cleaning, preparing the wood and water for sacrifices, slaughter of the animals, and dismantling or assembling the entire sanctuary. As KD well points out, The transport of the tabernacle required the strength of a full-grown man, and therefore the more advanced age of thirty years; whereas the duties connected with the tabernacle when standing were a lighter description, and could easily be performed from the twenty-fifth year, p. 49.

When David established the tabernacle permanently on Mount Zion, he utilized the services of Levites as young as twenty (1 Chronicles 23:24-25), saying specifically that this put an end to the transportation of the dwelling and its furnishings. It is most likely that such younger workers would have served only in a kind of apprenticeship, however.

Upon reaching the age of fifty, service was no longer compulsory among the Levites. They might, nevertheless, offer their assistance, and they were held in high honor among their younger counterparts.

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

155.

Is there a contradiction between the regulations here, calling for the service of the Levites between ages 25-50 and that of Numbers 4:3-49, in which the ages are set at 30-50? Explain and defend your answer.

156.

What logical division of the work of the Levites might depend upon their ages?

157.

How was David justified in using Levites as young as age 20 in service of the tabernacle?

158.

What special activities might have been performed by Levites who had reached the retirement age?