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The device of the lamp. – Illumination of the tabernacle with lamps. - Initiation of the Levites. – Duration of Levitical service. Numbers 8:4. And here is the structure of the lamp: it is hammered from gold, hammered from its stem to the flowers; According to the image that the Lord showed Moses, he made a lamp. The lamp and lamps are described in detail in Exodus 25.31–37, Exodus 37.17 and Exodus 40.24–25. Numbers 8:7. and to cleanse them, do this to them: sprinkle them with cleansing water, and let them shave their whole body with a razor and wash their clothes, and they will be clean; “Cleansing water” - according to some commentators, water from the laver that stood in the courtyard of the tabernacle; according to others, “purifying waters” with ashes from the sacrifice of a red heifer (Numbers 19.9). “Let them shave their whole body with a razor and wash their clothes” ; enhanced external purity was supposed to indicate to the chosen ministers of the tabernacle the need for them to observe special moral purity: “and they will be clean.” Numbers 8:8. And let them take the bullock and a grain offering for it, flour mixed with oil, and the other bullock you shall take for a sin offering. The sacrifices offered for the Levites are the same as at the consecration of the high priest, that is, the sin offering and the burnt offering. Numbers 8:9. and bring the Levites before the tabernacle of meeting; and gather together all the congregation of the children of Israel “The whole congregation of the sons of Israel,” because the Levites are a sacrifice to Jehovah from the whole people, replacing his firstborn, dedicated to God by the very act of their first birth. Numbers 8:10. And you shall bring their Levites before the Lord, and let the children of Israel lay their hands on the Levites; “And let the children of Israel lay their hands” - probably through the leaders of the tribes and chosen men. The people laid their hands on the Levites as a sacrifice dedicated to them to the Lord. Numbers 8:24. This is the law regarding the Levites: from twenty-five years of age and above they must enter into service to work at the tabernacle of meeting, In the book. Numbers 4:3, 23, 30 The initial age of Levitical service is indicated at 30 years. In the book. 1 Chronicles 23:3, 24, 28, in the book. 2 Chronicles 31:17 says that David found it necessary to call all the Levites to regular service at the tabernacle, starting at the age of 20, which order was maintained for the future (1 Ezra 3:8). The noted discrepancy in the dates of the starting age for Levitical service at the tabernacle can be explained by the fact that until the age of 30, Levites were involved only as assistants to the senior Levites; from the age of 30 they became independent servants at the tabernacle. You might be interested in: