The Meaning of Numbers 8:14 Explained

Numbers 8:14

KJV: Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.

YLT: and thou hast separated the Levites from the midst of the sons of Israel, and the Levites have become Mine;

Darby: And thou shalt separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, that the Levites may be mine.

ASV: Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thus shalt thou separate  the Levites  from among  the children  of Israel:  and the Levites  shall be mine. 

What does Numbers 8:14 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 8:14-26 - Consecrated To God's Service
The Levites may be taken to represent the Church as distinguished from the rest of mankind, or the little band of pastors, teachers, and missionaries, set apart for the service of the Church. In any case, they needed to be perpetually reminded that sin mingled with the holiest ceremonial, and required the perpetual cleansing of sacrifice. After our holiest services we need to remember that we are unprofitable servants.
From thirty to fifty is the prime of human life. There is no inconsistency between Numbers 4:3; Numbers 4:23 here, because a five years novitiate was required. When we can no longer bear the strain of mind and body, we may still keep the holy charge and minister before the altar of incense, Numbers 8:25-26. So it was with Zacharias in Luke 1:7; Luke 1:9. We can intercede as long as we live, and our maintenance will only cease with our lifework. [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 8

1  How the lamps are to be lighted
5  The consecration of the Levites
23  The age and time of their service

What do the individual words in Numbers 8:14 mean?

Thus you shall separate - the Levites from among the sons of Israel and shall be Mine the Levites
וְהִבְדַּלְתָּ֙ אֶת־ הַלְוִיִּ֔ם מִתּ֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְהָ֥יוּ לִ֖י הַלְוִיִּֽם

וְהִבְדַּלְתָּ֙  Thus  you  shall  separate 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: בָּדַל  
Sense: to divide, separate.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הַלְוִיִּ֔ם  the  Levites 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: לֵוִי  
Sense: the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah.
מִתּ֖וֹךְ  from  among 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: תָּוֶךְ  
Sense: midst, middle.
בְּנֵ֣י  the  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל  of  Israel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל  
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.
וְהָ֥יוּ  and  shall  be 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person common plural
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
לִ֖י  Mine 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
הַלְוִיִּֽם  the  Levites 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: לֵוִי  
Sense: the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah.