And the Levitesוְהַלְוִיִּםshall layיִסְמְכוּtheir handsאֶת יְדֵיהֶםonעַלthe headsרֹאשׁof the bulls,הַפָּרִיםand offerוַעֲשֵׂהthe oneאֶת הָאֶחָדas a sin offeringחַטָּאתand the otherוְאֶת הָאֶחָדas a burnt offeringעֹלָהto YHWH,לַיהוָהto make expiationלְכַפֵּרforעַלthe Levites.הַלְוִיִּם
Numbers 8:12
Study it in the app“And the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and offer the one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to YHWH, to make expiation for the Levites.”
With the Hebrew beneath
Numbers 8:12, word by word
- And the Levitesלְוִיִּםleviyim
Levite
Levite: of the tribe of Levi.
Where else “leviyim” appears- shall layיִסְמְכוּyismchu
lay on
To rest a hand on an animal or person.
Where else “yismchu” appears- their handsיְדֵיyede
hand
The part of the body with which one takes, gives and works; also what one does.
Where else “yede” appears- the headsרֹאשׁrosh
head
The upper part of the body, where the face and hair are.
Where else “rosh” appears- of the bullsפָּרִיםparim
bull
Young bull, bullock.
Where else “parim” appears- and offerעֲשֵׂהase
prepare
To prepare food; offer a sacrifice; keep a feast.
Where else “ase” appears- the oneאֶחָדechad
one
The number one; just one and no more.
Where else “echad” appears- as a sin offeringחַטָּאתchatat
sin
Failing God, not doing what he asks.
Where else “chatat” appears- as a burnt offeringעֹלָהola
burnt offering
A sacrifice burned whole on the altar.
Where else “ola” appears- to YHWHיהוָהyhva
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 “yhva” appears- to make expiationכַפֵּרchaper
atone
To cover guilt so there is forgiveness.
Where else “chaper” appears
The context
11And Aaron shall wave the Levites as a wave offering before YHWH from the sons of Israel, and they shall be for doing the service of YHWH.
12 · This verse (above)
13And you shall set the Levites before Aaron and before his sons, and wave them as a wave offering to YHWH.