The Meaning of Numbers 8:21 Explained

Numbers 8:21

KJV: And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.

YLT: And the Levites cleanse themselves, and wash their garments, and Aaron waveth them a wave-offering before Jehovah, and Aaron maketh atonement for them to cleanse them,

Darby: And the Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their garments; and Aaron offered them as a wave-offering before Jehovah; and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.

ASV: And the Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their clothes: and Aaron offered them for a wave-offering before Jehovah; and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the Levites  were purified,  and they washed  their clothes;  and Aaron  offered  them [as] an offering  before  the LORD;  and Aaron  made an atonement  for them to cleanse  them. 

What does Numbers 8:21 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 8:21 mean?

And purified themselves the Levites and washed their clothes then presented Aaron them [like] a wave offering before Yahweh And made atonement for them to cleanse them
וַיִּֽתְחַטְּא֣וּ הַלְוִיִּ֗ם וַֽיְכַבְּסוּ֙ בִּגְדֵיהֶ֔ם וַיָּ֨נֶף אַהֲרֹ֥ן אֹתָ֛ם תְּנוּפָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וַיְכַפֵּ֧ר עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם לְטַהֲרָֽם

וַיִּֽתְחַטְּא֣וּ  And  purified  themselves 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hitpael, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: חָטָא 
Sense: to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness.
הַלְוִיִּ֗ם  the  Levites 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: לֵוִי  
Sense: the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah.
וַֽיְכַבְּסוּ֙  and  washed 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: כָּבַס  
Sense: to wash (by treading), be washed, perform the work of a fuller.
בִּגְדֵיהֶ֔ם  their  clothes 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: בֶּגֶד 
Sense: treachery, deceit.
וַיָּ֨נֶף  then  presented 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: הֲנָפָה 
Sense: to move to and fro, wave, besprinkle.
אַהֲרֹ֥ן  Aaron 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַהֲרֹון  
Sense: brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest.
תְּנוּפָ֖ה  [like]  a  wave  offering 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: תְּנוּפָה  
Sense: swinging, waving, wave offering, offering.
לִפְנֵ֣י  before 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, common plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
יְהוָ֑ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
וַיְכַפֵּ֧ר  And  made  atonement 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: כָּפַר 
Sense: to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation, cover over with pitch.
עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם  for  them 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
לְטַהֲרָֽם  to  cleanse  them 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Piel, Infinitive construct, third person masculine plural
Root: טָהֵר  
Sense: to be clean, be pure.