King James Version

What Does Numbers 8:20 Mean?

Numbers 8:20 in the King James Version says “And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites according unto all that the...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them.”

Numbers 8:20 · KJV

Context

18

And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel.

19

And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary. a gift: Heb. given

20

And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them.

21

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.

22

And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation... did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded—This verse emphasizes complete obedience (שָׁמַע shama, to hear and obey) to divine instruction regarding Levitical consecration. The threefold witness (Moses, Aaron, congregation) establishes the corporate nature of Israel's covenant obedience.

The phrase according unto all (כְּכֹל kekol) stresses absolute conformity to God's commands—a recurring theme in wilderness worship (cf. Exodus 39:42-43). The Levites' unique status as substitutes for Israel's firstborn (Numbers 3:12-13) required meticulous adherence to consecration rituals, establishing precedent for New Testament priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse concludes the Levitical consecration ceremony (Numbers 8:5-22), conducted at Sinai during Israel's second year of wilderness wandering (ca. 1445 BC). Moses mediated between God and people while Aaron supervised priestly functions, establishing patterns for Israel's tabernacle service.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the corporate obedience of Israel's leaders and congregation model accountability in Christian community?
  2. What does complete conformity to God's commands ('according unto all') teach about partial obedience?
  3. How does Levitical consecration foreshadow Christ's setting apart of believers for holy service?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
עָשׂ֥וּ1 of 20

“did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

מֹשֶׁה֙2 of 20

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְאַֽהֲרֹ֛ן3 of 20

“and Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וְכָל4 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲדַ֥ת5 of 20

“and all the congregation”

H5712

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

בְּנֵ֥י6 of 20

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃7 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לַלְוִיִּ֔ם8 of 20

“concerning the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

כְּ֠כֹל9 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר10 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֨ה11 of 20

“commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֤ה12 of 20

“according unto all that the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת13 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֹשֶׁה֙14 of 20

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לַלְוִיִּ֔ם15 of 20

“concerning the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

כֵּן16 of 20
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

עָשׂ֥וּ17 of 20

“did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָהֶ֖ם18 of 20
H0
בְּנֵ֥י19 of 20

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃20 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 8:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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