The Meaning of Numbers 8:25 Explained

Numbers 8:25

KJV: And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more:

YLT: and from a son of fifty years he doth return from the host of the service, and doth not serve any more,

Darby: And from fifty years old he shall retire from the labour of the service, and shall serve no more;

ASV: and from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the work, and shall serve no more,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And from the age  of fifty  years  they shall cease  waiting  upon the service  [thereof], and shall serve  no more: 

What does Numbers 8:25 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 8:25 mean?

And at old fifty years they must cease performing from which goes forth the work and no shall work more
וּמִבֶּן֙ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה יָשׁ֖וּב מִצְּבָ֣א הָעֲבֹדָ֑ה וְלֹ֥א יַעֲבֹ֖ד עֽוֹד

וּמִבֶּן֙  And  at  old 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים  fifty 
Parse: Number, common plural
Root: חֲמִשִּׁים 
Sense: fifty.
שָׁנָ֔ה  years 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: שָׁנָה  
Sense: year.
יָשׁ֖וּב  they  must  cease  performing 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שׁוּב  
Sense: to return, turn back.
מִצְּבָ֣א  from  which  goes  forth 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, common singular construct
Root: צָבָא 
Sense: that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host.
הָעֲבֹדָ֑ה  the  work 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עֲבֹדָה  
Sense: labour, service.
וְלֹ֥א  and  no 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יַעֲבֹ֖ד  shall  work 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָבַד  
Sense: to work, serve.
עֽוֹד  more 
Parse: Adverb
Root: עֹוד  
Sense: a going round, continuance adv.

What are the major concepts related to Numbers 8:25?

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