Numbers 8:10
And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites:
Original Language Analysis
וְהִקְרַבְתָּ֥
And thou shalt bring
H7126
וְהִקְרַבְתָּ֥
And thou shalt bring
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 12
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְסָֽמְכ֧וּ
shall put
H5564
וְסָֽמְכ֧וּ
shall put
Strong's:
H5564
Word #:
6 of 12
to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
בְנֵֽי
and the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְדֵיהֶ֖ם
their hands
H3027
יְדֵיהֶ֖ם
their hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 12
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Historical Context
Practically, representatives from each tribe likely performed the hand-laying, as 600,000+ individuals couldn't physically touch 22,000 Levites. The symbolic act established the Levites as substitutes for Israel's firstborn (Numbers 3:12-13), who belonged to God after the Passover. This substitutionary principle undergirds all of Scripture's redemptive theology.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Israel's laying hands on the Levites illustrate both identification and substitution—principles central to atonement theology?
- In what ways should churches view their ministers as 'representatives' who bear corporate responsibility for spiritual service?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD (וְהִקְרַבְתָּ אֶת־הַלְוִיִּם לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, vehiqravta et-haleviyyim lifney YHWH)—Presented not merely to Moses or the congregation, but lifney YHWH (before Yahweh Himself). Ultimate accountability is vertical. The children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites (וְסָמְכוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־יְדֵיהֶם עַל־הַלְוִיִּם, vesamchu veney-yisra'el et-yedeyhem al-haleviyyim)—Samach (to lay hands on) signifies identification and transfer.
This is the only instance where the congregation lays hands on ministers (usually ministers lay hands on offerings). The gesture symbolizes:
This prefigures Christ as our substitute (Isaiah 53:6, 'the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all') and the church's mutual identification in the body (Romans 12:4-5).