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Chapter 121 - Chapter 120: The Setting Apart of the Levites

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Tell Aaron: When you set up the seven lamps, let them give light toward the space in front of the lampstand." Aaron did so, arranging the lamps exactly as the LORD had commanded. The lampstand itself was of hammered gold, from its base to its blossoms, crafted precisely according to the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.

Then the LORD said, "Take the Levites from among the people and cleanse them. To purify them, sprinkle the water of cleansing upon them. Have them shave their bodies, wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean. Bring with them a young bull, together with a grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and another young bull for a sin offering.

Bring the Levites before the Tent of Meeting, and gather the entire Israelite community. Let the people lay their hands upon the Levites, and Aaron shall present them before the LORD as a wave offering, setting them apart for service to Me. Then the Levites are to lay their hands on the bulls, one to be offered as a sin offering, the other as a burnt offering, to make atonement for them.

Thus you will separate the Levites from among the people, for they are Mine. I have taken them for Myself in place of every firstborn male of Israel. For every firstborn is Mine, man and beast alike; when I struck down all the firstborn of Egypt, I set them apart for Myself. And now I have taken the Levites instead. I have given them as a gift to Aaron and his sons, to serve at the Tent of Meeting on behalf of Israel, making atonement so that no plague will fall upon the people when they draw near to the sanctuary."

So Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of Israel did as the LORD commanded. The Levites purified themselves and washed their garments. Aaron presented them before the LORD as a wave offering and made atonement for them. After this, the Levites entered their service at the Tent of Meeting under the care of Aaron and his sons, just as the LORD had spoken.

And the LORD said, "This is the rule for the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall join in the work of the Tent of Meeting, but at the age of fifty they must retire from regular service. They may still assist their brothers in guarding and guiding the duties, but they themselves must no longer bear the work. So shall their responsibilities be ordered."

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