25 And from the age of fifty years they shall cease [1] waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more:

Other Translations of Numbers 8:25

New International Version

25 but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer.

English Standard Version

25 And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more.

The Message

25 at the age of fifty they must retire from the work.

New King James Version

25 and at the age of fifty years they must cease performing this work, and shall work no more.

New Living Translation

25 and they must retire at the age of fifty.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 8:25

Commentary on Numbers 8:5-26

(Read Numbers 8:5-26)

Here we have directions for the solemn ordination of the Levites. All Israel must know that they took not this honour to themselves, but were called of God to it; nor was it enough that they were distinguished from others. All who are employed for God, must be dedicated to him, according to the employment. Christians must be baptized, ministers must be ordained; we must first give ourselves unto the Lord, and then our services. The Levites must be cleansed. They must be clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Moses must sprinkle the water of purifying upon them. This signifies the application of the blood of Christ to our souls by faith, that we may be fit to serve the living God. God declares his acceptance of them. All who expect to share in the privileges of the tabernacle, must resolve to do the service of the tabernacle. As, on the one hand, none of God's creatures are his necessary servants, he needs not the service of any of them; so none are merely honorary servants, to do nothing. All whom God owns, he employs; angels themselves have their services.