The Meaning of Numbers 8:26 Explained

Numbers 8:26

KJV: 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.

YLT: and he hath ministered with his brethren in the tent of meeting, to keep the charge, and doth not do service; thus thou dost to the Levites concerning their charge.'

Darby: but he shall minister with his brethren in the tent of meeting, and keep the charge, but he shall not serve in the service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites with regard to their charges.

ASV: but shall minister with their brethren in the tent of meeting, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charges.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Numbers 8:26 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 8:26 mean?

And they may minister with their brothers in the tabernacle of meeting to attend to needs but work no They [themselves] shall do thus you shall do to the Levites regarding their duties -
וְשֵׁרֵ֨ת אֶת־ אֶחָ֜יו בְּאֹ֤הֶל מוֹעֵד֙ לִשְׁמֹ֣ר מִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת וַעֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֣א יַעֲבֹ֑ד כָּ֛כָה תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה לַלְוִיִּ֖ם בְּמִשְׁמְרֹתָֽם פ

וְשֵׁרֵ֨ת  And  they  may  minister 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁרַת  
Sense: (Piel) to minister, serve, minister to.
אֶחָ֜יו  their  brothers 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.
בְּאֹ֤הֶל  in  the  tabernacle 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אֹהֶל  
Sense: tent.
מוֹעֵד֙  of  meeting 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹועֵד  
Sense: appointed place, appointed time, meeting.
לִשְׁמֹ֣ר  to  attend 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
מִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת  to  needs 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִשְׁמֶרֶת  
Sense: guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch.
וַעֲבֹדָ֖ה  but  work 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עֲבֹדָה  
Sense: labour, service.
לֹ֣א  no 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יַעֲבֹ֑ד  They  [themselves]  shall  do 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָבַד  
Sense: to work, serve.
כָּ֛כָה  thus 
Parse: Adverb
Root: כָּכָה  
Sense: like this, thus.
תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה  you  shall  do 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
לַלְוִיִּ֖ם  to  the  Levites 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: לֵוִי  
Sense: the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah.
בְּמִשְׁמְרֹתָֽם  regarding  their  duties 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: מִשְׁמֶרֶת  
Sense: guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch.
פ  - 
Parse: Punctuation