Numbers 8:11

With the Hebrew beneath

Numbers 8:11, word by word

And Aaronאַהֲרֹןaharon

Aaron

Aaron, the older brother of Moses, his spokesman before Pharaoh and the first high priest of Israel.

Where else “aharon” appears

shall waveהֵנִיףhenif

wave

To swing an offering before YHWH to present it.

Where else “henif” appears

the Levitesלְוִיִּםleviyim

Levite

Levite: of the tribe of Levi.

Where else “leviyim” appears

as a wave offeringתְּנוּפָהtenufa

wave offering

An offering waved before YHWH when presented.

Where else “tenufa” appears

beforeפְנֵיfene

before

Literally "to the face of": in sight of someone, or on account of something.

Where else “fene” appears

YHWHיְהוָהyehva

YHWH

The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.

Where else “yehva” appears

the sonsבְּנֵיbene

descendant

A descendant or member of a people: "sons of Israel".

Where else “bene” appears

of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyisrael

Israel

Israel, the new name Jacob received from God, explained as "you have striven with God" (Genesis 32:28); then the name of the people that came from him and, after the division, of the northern kingdom.

Where else “yisrael” appears

and they shall beהָיוּhayu

be

To be: "I will be their Elohim".

Where else “hayu” appears

for doingעֲבֹדavod

work

To toil, till the land.

Where else “avod” appears

the serviceעֲבֹדַתavodat

service

The sacred tasks of the Levites in the tabernacle and the temple.

Where else “avodat” appears

Translation note

“Waving” was the gesture by which an offering was presented to God. The Levites are the offering that all Israel hands over to YHWH.

The context