The Geneva Bible Translation Notes, [1599], at sacred-texts.com
Numbers Chapter 8
Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light (a) over against the candlestick.
(a) To that part which is in the forefront of the candlestick, (Exo 25:37).
And this work of the candlestick [was of] beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, [was] beaten work: (b) according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
(b) And not set together of various pieces.
And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle (c) water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and [so] make themselves clean.
(c) In Hebrew it is called the water of sin, because it is made to purge sin, as in (Num 19:9).
And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the (d) whole assembly of the children of Israel together:
(d) That you may do this in the presence of them all.
And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the (e) children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites:
(e) Meaning, certain of them in the name of the whole.
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 (g) 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 (h) sanctuary.
(g) Which the Israelites should do.
(h) Because the levites go into the sanctuary in their name.
And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation (i) before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.
(i) In their presence to serve them.
And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the (k) service [thereof], and shall serve no more:
(k) Such office as was painful, as to bear burdens and such like.
But shall minister (l) with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.
(l) In singing Psalms, instructing, counselling and keeping the things in order.