8
At that time the Lord set the tribe of Levi apart. He appointed them to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord. He wanted them to serve him. He told them to bless the people in his name. And they still do it today.
Reference
Hebrew: ʼêtsel
a side; (as a preposition) near
Greek: τότε (tóte)
the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ῥαββονί (rhabboní)
God
Hebrew: ʼâdôwn
sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Greek: τακτός (taktós)
arranged, i.e. appointed or stated
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Hebrew: shᵉbaṭ
a clan
Greek: Λευΐ (Leuḯ)
Levi, the name of three Israelites
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Hebrew: chôq
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
Greek: ἐλαύνω (elaúnō)
to push (as wind, oars or dæmonical power)
Hebrew: nâhal
properly, to run with asparkle, i.e. flow; hence (transitively), to conduct, and (by inference) to protect, sustain
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: κιβωτός (kibōtós)
a box, i.e. the sacred ark and that of Noah
Hebrew: ʼârôwn
a box
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: διαθήκη (diathḗkē)
properly, a disposition, i.e. (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ῥαββονί (rhabboní)
God
Hebrew: ʼâdôwn
sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: λατρεύω (latreúō)
to minister (to God), i.e. render religious homage
Greek: τοῦτον (toûton)
this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: ἐνευλογέω (eneulogéō)
to confer a benefit on
Hebrew: bᵉrak
{to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason)}
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: δῆμος (dēmos)
the public (as bound together socially)
Hebrew: ʻam
{a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock}
Greek: τοῦ (toû)
sometimes used for G5127 (τούτου); of this person
Hebrew: shum
{an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character}
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: κατατίθημι (katatíthēmi)
to place down, i.e. deposit (literally or figuratively)
Hebrew: hêm
they (only used when emphatic)
Blessing
Deuteronomy 21:5
Leviticus 9:22
2 Chronicles 30:27
Covenant
1 Chronicles 15:26
Parallel theme
Numbers 4:15
Numbers 3:6
John 15:16
References Lord
Deuteronomy 18:5
Jeremiah 15:19
Verse Explanation
Moses explained that the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the Ark of the Covenant, serve before the Lord, and bless the people in His name. The Levites were given a special role in worship and religious service instead of receiving a normal tribal inheritance of land.
History
The tribe of Levi became Israel's priestly tribe after the golden calf incident because they remained faithful to God.