Numbers 8:12

“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.”

Numbers 8:12 · direct translation from the Hebrew
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12

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.

Read all of Numbers 8

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