The Meaning of Numbers 8:15 Explained

Numbers 8:15

KJV: And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering.

YLT: and afterwards do the Levites come in to serve the tent of meeting, and thou hast cleansed them, and hast waved them -- a wave-offering.

Darby: And afterwards shall the Levites come in to do the service of the tent of meeting. And thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them as a wave-offering.

ASV: And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tent of meeting: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for a wave-offering.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And after  that shall the Levites  go in  to do the service  of the tabernacle  of the congregation:  and thou shalt cleanse  them, and offer  them [for] an offering. 

What does Numbers 8:15 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 8:15 mean?

And after that shall go in the Levites to service - the tabernacle of meeting so you shall cleanse them and offer them [like] a wave offering
וְאַֽחֲרֵי־ כֵן֙ יָבֹ֣אוּ הַלְוִיִּ֔ם לַעֲבֹ֖ד אֶת־ אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וְטִֽהַרְתָּ֣ אֹתָ֔ם וְהֵנַפְתָּ֥ אֹתָ֖ם תְּנוּפָֽה

וְאַֽחֲרֵי־  And  after 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition
Root: אַחַר 
Sense: after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time).
כֵן֙  that 
Parse: Adverb
Root: כֵּן 
Sense: so, therefore, thus.
יָבֹ֣אוּ  shall  go  in 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
הַלְוִיִּ֔ם  the  Levites 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: לֵוִי  
Sense: the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah.
לַעֲבֹ֖ד  to  service 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: עָבַד  
Sense: to work, serve.
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.
אֹ֣הֶל  the  tabernacle 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אֹהֶל  
Sense: tent.
מוֹעֵ֑ד  of  meeting 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹועֵד  
Sense: appointed place, appointed time, meeting.
וְטִֽהַרְתָּ֣  so  you  shall  cleanse 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: טָהֵר  
Sense: to be clean, be pure.
וְהֵנַפְתָּ֥  and  offer 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: הֲנָפָה 
Sense: to move to and fro, wave, besprinkle.
תְּנוּפָֽה  [like]  a  wave  offering 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: תְּנוּפָה  
Sense: swinging, waving, wave offering, offering.