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After an introductory section containing instructions to Aaron on how to arrange the lamps on the lampstand (vv.1-4), the remainder of the chapter describes the dedication of the Levites (vv.5-22) and the age of their retirement from the Levitical work force (vv.23-26).
First, the Levites were purified (vv.5-7). Then the Israelites placed their hands on the Levites' heads (v.10), after which Aaron presented them to the Lord as a wave offering (vv.11, 13, 15, 21), which must be some kind of a lifting ceremonial. Of interest here is that these two rites (hand imposition and waving) are elsewhere used exclusively for animal offerings but never with humans. The Levites were exceptions to this because they were literally sacrifices brought by the Israelites (see esp. v.11). Obviously the Levites were not offered up on any altar. In essence, however, the Levites became ransom for Israel, the means of her atonement (v.19).
These rituals completed, the Levites were now permitted to begin the work of the Lord at the Tent of Meeting. Work is a key word in this chapter, appearing in vv.11, 15, 19, 22, 24-26. In each case the work referred to must be specifically the moving of the tabernacle, the one time where Levites handled holy things, and thus the need for purification.
Ch. 8 is an appropriate conclusion to the Levitic prescriptions spread over chs. 3-8: (1) ch. 3, completion of the census of Levites and their guard duty responsibilities around the tabernacle; (2) ch. 4, partial census for mature Levites and their responsibilities for removal labor; (3) ch. 7, work tools for the Levites; (4) ch. 8, work force of Levites inducted; (5) 8:23-26, Levites retire from work force but continue with guard duties.