The Meaning of Numbers 8:16 Explained

Numbers 8:16

KJV: For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.

YLT: For they are certainly given to Me out of the midst of the sons of Israel, instead of him who openeth any womb -- the first-born of all -- from the sons of Israel I have taken them to Myself;

Darby: For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of every one that breaketh open the womb, instead of every firstborn among the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.

ASV: For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of all that openeth the womb, even the first-born of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For they [are] wholly given  unto me from among  the children  of Israel;  instead of such as open  every womb,  [even instead of] the firstborn  of all the children  of Israel,  have I taken  them unto me. 

What does Numbers 8:16 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 8:16 mean?

For given they to Me from among the sons of Israel Instead such as open every the womb the firstborn of all the sons of Israel have taken I them for Myself
כִּי֩ נְתֻנִ֨ים הֵ֙מָּה֙ לִ֔י מִתּ֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל תַּחַת֩ פִּטְרַ֨ת כָּל־ רֶ֜חֶם בְּכ֥וֹר כֹּל֙ מִבְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לָקַ֥חְתִּי אֹתָ֖ם לִֽי

נְתֻנִ֨ים  given 
Parse: Verb, Qal, QalPassParticiple, masculine plural
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
לִ֔י  to  Me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
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.
תַּחַת֩  Instead 
Parse: Preposition
Root: מִתְחָה 
Sense: the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas.
פִּטְרַ֨ת  such  as  open 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: פֶּטֶר 
Sense: firstborn, firstling, that which separates or first opens.
כָּל־  every 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
רֶ֜חֶם  the  womb 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: רֶחֶם  
Sense: womb.
בְּכ֥וֹר  the  firstborn 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בְּכֹר  
Sense: firstborn, firstling.
כֹּל֙  of  all 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
מִבְּנֵ֣י  the  sons 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל  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.
לָקַ֥חְתִּי  have  taken 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: יָקַח 
Sense: to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away.
אֹתָ֖ם  I  them 
Parse: Direct object marker, third person masculine plural
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
לִֽי  for  Myself 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular

What are the major concepts related to Numbers 8:16?

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