You are to present the Levites before the LORD and have the Israelites lay their hands upon them.
We read before of the separating of the Levites from among the children of Israel when they were numbered, and the numbering of them by themselves (Num 3:6, Num 3:15), that they might be employed in the service of the tabernacle. Now here we have directions given for their solemn ordination (Num 8:6), and the performance of it, Num 8:20.
Commenting on Numbers 8:5-26
And thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord,.... From the door of the tabernacle, to the altar of burnt offering, where the Lord was in some sense present to accept the sacrifices offered to him: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites; as were used to be put upon sacrifices, for the Levites were themselves offered for an offering...
And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites: (e) Meaning, certain of them in the name of the whole.