Difference between revisions of "Levites"

<p> The men of Levi, the sacerdotal tribe, all ministers, out of whom the priests were taken, namely, Aaron's family. Levi's wild zeal against the defiler of [[Dinah]] was the forerunner of the Levites' zeal against impure idolaters. The antiquity and genuineness of [[Genesis]] are marked by the absence of all notice of Levi's subsequent greatness as the priest tribe. The genealogy (Genesis 46:11) goes no further down than Levi's three sons; these too are named in their order of birth, not giving [[Kohath]] the prominence which his family had subsequently, He has four clans in Exodus 6:16-25, [[Gershon]] and [[Merari]] but two each. Amram, Aaron, and [[Moses]] belonged to his stock (Exodus 4:14). The firstborn "young men" of [[Israel]] were the priests to offer sacrifices (Exodus 24:5) before the law, representing the priestly nation (Exodus 19:6; Exodus 19:22; Exodus 19:24). (See LEVI on the Levites' promotion to be the priestly tribe for their zeal in the Lord's cause.) </p> <p> [[Levi]] became "an Israel within an Israel," the witness and guard of the truth. Substituted for the firstborn males of all Israel whom [[Jehovah]] claimed as His when He saved Israel from the stroke on Egypt's firstborn; the Levites, 22,000; the firstborn males, 22,273; the odd 273 above were to be redeemed at five shekels each (Numbers 3:45-51), the fixed price for redeeming a victim vowed in sacrifice (Numbers 18:16; Leviticus 27:6). The Levites' cattle were taken for the firstlings of Israel's cattle (compare Exodus 13:12-13). The [[Levites]] marching from [[Sinai]] round the tabernacle were the heavenly King's royal guard; none else was to approach it on pain of death (Numbers 1:51; Numbers 18:22; Numbers 4:3-30). </p> <p> The priests occupied the eastern side of the tabernacle, inside [[Judah]] the leading camp; the [[Kohathites]] the southern side, inside Reuben; the Gershonites the western side, inside Ephraim; the [[Merarites]] the northern, inside Daniel The aggregate of Gershonites (Numbers 3:22), Kohathites (Numbers 3:28), and Merarites (Numbers 3:34), is 22,300; but in the redemption 300 are deducted (probably the firstborn in Levi within the year that had elapsed since the command was issued, Numbers 3:40-43), and 22,000 taken as substituted for Israel's male firstborn. Levi in this census was the fewest tribe in numbers, but in the other tribes servants not pure [[Israelites]] were enumerated, whereas in Levi only pure Israelites. The number of Israel's firstborn males (22,273) compared with the male adults (603,550) is disproportionately small, the proportion being usually one in four. </p> <p> But the law of Exodus 13:1-2, dedicated those alone who should be firstborn thenceforward (compare Exodus 2; Exodus 11-12; Numbers 3:13; Numbers 8:17), for the duties of the firstborn referred to a ritual yet to be revealed, and the firstborn of cattle must mean those thereafter firstborn. Thus the proportion of firstborn sons in one year born of 2,000,000 of men is so large as can be explained only by the divine blessing, and the sudden development which the Exodus gave to the nation. The Levites stood midway between the people and the priesthood, which culminated in the high priest. They could not sacrifice, burn incense, or see the "holy things" until covered (Numbers 4:15). Yet they came nearer than the people, and they alone struck the tent in marching, carried its parts, and pitched it again. Their work needed matured strength; so their service began not until 30 years old (with a previous probationary period of five years: Numbers 8:24), whereas military service began at 20. At 50 their service ceased (Numbers 8:25-26). </p> <p> So, of 8,600 Kohathites, 2,750 were on duty, of 7,500 Gershonites 2,630, of 6,200 Merarites 3,200 (Numbers 4). The Kohathites held the highest office and bore the ark (except on solemn occasions when the priests bore it: Joshua 3:3; Joshua 3:15) and vessels, after the priest had covered them (Numbers 4:15). The Gershonites bore the tent hangings and curtains; the Merarites the tabernacle boards, bars, and pillars; the Kohathites under [[Eleazar]] bore the vessels on their shoulders (Numbers 7:9); the Gershonites and Merarites under [[Ithamar]] (Numbers 4:28; Numbers 4:33), because of their weighty charge, were allowed oxen and wagons. The Levites were Jehovah's and Israel's 1 Chronicles 9:2; the Levites' subordinates) and "joined" (as Levi means) to the priests (Numbers 3:9; Numbers 8:19; Numbers 18:2; Numbers 18:4; Numbers 18:6). </p> <p> The Levites were purified for service with bathing, shaving, washing clothes, imposition of Israel' s hands, waving them as a wave offering to Jehovah (compare our gospel "living sacrifice," Romans 12:1) toward the four points of the compass, in token of entire consecration of all their powers; the [[Levite]] then laid hands on one bullock offered for a sin offering and another for a burnt offering. Korah's rebellion through seeking the priesthood was followed by a fresh defining of the Levites' office (Numbers 16; Numbers 18:1-7). The Levites received a tithe or tenth of all produce, animal and vegetable, of which they had to pay the priests a tithe (Numbers 18:20-32). A second tithe the Israelites used for the tabernacle feasts and free will offerings, and of this second tithe the Levites should receive a share (Deuteronomy 14:23; Deuteronomy 14:27), especially when ministering (Deuteronomy 18:7-8). </p> <p> Forty-eight cities were appointed them (four on the average from each tribe), including the six cities of refuge and (of suburbs, meadow for their cattle) 1,000 cubits out from the city walls, each of the four sides being 2,000 cubits long. (See GEZER.) The phrase "the Levite that is within thy gates" is appropriate (Deuteronomy 14:27), for the Levites' cities did not cease to belong to the tribes within which they lay. Thus Levites are occasionally spoken of as belonging to other tribes, namely, those within whose territory they resided (1 Deuteronomy 8:6; Judges 17:7; 1 Samuel 1:1). [[Elkanah]] a Levite is called an "Ephrathite," "Heman the Ezrahite," i.e. from [[Zerah]] of Judah (title Psalm 88; Psalm 89). "The priests the Levites" on the peculiar use of Levites without distinction from the priests) were to determine controversies and to preserve the law in the side of the ark, and in the seventh year at the feast of tabernacles read it before Israel, and pronounce the curses from [[Ebal]] (Deuteronomy 17:9-12; Deuteronomy 31:9-13; Deuteronomy 31:26; Deuteronomy 27:14). (See DEUTERONOMY.) </p> <p> The [[Hivite]] [[Gibeonites]] (Joshua 9:27) and the [[Nethinim]] relieved the Levites of their more burdensome duties subsequently. (See NETHINIM.) Micah's consecration of the homeless Levite as his household priest implies a relapse in dark times to the original household priesthood. It was a Korahlike usurpation on the part of the Levite (Judges 17). Samuel the Levite, adopted into the priesthood, revived the divine order. The Levites were among his schools of the prophets, whose training consisted in praise, prayer, and study of the law. Hence enlarged views of acceptable worship appear in the Levite Asaph's Psalm 50. The ark after its restoration from the [[Philistines]] was in charge of [[Abinadab]] in the hill, or Gibeah, or [[Kirjath]] [[Jearim]] (1 Samuel 7:1; 2 Samuel 6:3), probably an old [[Canaanite]] highplace sanctuary. David's words (1 Chronicles 15:2) imply that heretofore Levites had not been in charge of the ark, therefore that Abinadab was not a Levite possibly (?). "None ought. to carry the ark of God but the Levites, for them hath Jehovah chosen." </p> <p> Saul's assumption of sacrificing, his slaughter of the priests at [[Nob]] and of the serving Gibeonites, imply his self-willed impatience of the prominence of the priest tribe. Accordingly, at Hebron, 4,600 Levites joined David, besides 3,700 priests (1 Chronicles 12:26-27). He honoured them at his succession, and once even wore their robe (2 Samuel 6:14). The duties of the Levites are defined by him (1 Chronicles 23:24-32), "to wait on the sons of [[Aaron]] for the service of the house of Jehovah," etc., "and to stand every morning to thank and praise Jehovah, and likewise at even, and to offer (i.e. assist the priests in offering) all burnt sacrifices," etc. </p> <p> The Levites supplied "officers and judges" (1 Chronicles 26:30), "in all the business of the Lord and the service of the king." Korah's sons of the Levites, headed by Heman, played upon psalteries and harps (1 Chronicles 9:19; 1 Chronicles 9:32); the Kohathites prepared the shewbread every sabbath; the Gershonites were headed by Asaph's son in the temple choir (1 Chronicles 6:39; 1 Chronicles 6:44; 1 Chronicles 15:17), the Merarites by [[Ethan]] or Jeduthun. The heavier work being no longer needed of transporting the tabernacle, and psalmody being their chief duty, they entered service as early as the age of 20 (1 Chronicles 23:24-27). The Levites numbered 38,000 under David (1 Chronicles 23:3), of whom 4,000 formed the full choir; 288 in 24 divisions of 12 each were the skilled musicians (1 Chronicles 25:1-8). At the severance of Israel and Judah the Levites flocked from the apostate northern kingdom to Judah and Jerusalem, and strengthened the southern kingdom (2 Chronicles 11:13-14; 2 Chronicles 13:10-12). </p> <p> The Levites proclaimed and taught the law, and judged controversies, with the priests and chiefs of Israel, in Jehoshaphat's reformation (2 Chronicles 19:8-11). They praised the Lord as singers before his army, and their beginning to sing was the signal of victory from the Lord over the [[Moabite]] and [[Ammonite]] invaders (2 Chronicles 20:19-22). They took an active part under [[Jehoiada]] in restoring [[Joash]] (2 Chronicles 33); and in Hezekiah's reformation were "more upright" or earnest than the priests (2 Chronicles 29:5-34; 2 Chronicles 30:15-22; 2 Chronicles 30:27). So under [[Josiah]] the Levites had as their characteristic designation that they "taught all Israel" (2 Chronicles 35:3-15). They served the Lord and Israel, standing in the holy place. The Levites acted as teachers and scribes of the law, and chroniclers of their times. Even the Levites fell into apostasy in the closing reigns of Judah (Ezekiel 44:10-14; Ezekiel 48:11). </p> <p> Their number at the return from [[Babylon]] was small (Ezra 2:36-42). They sang by course, praising Jehovah, at the founding and subsequent dedicating of the temple (Ezra 3:10-11; Ezra 6:18). None of the Levites joined Ezra at his gathering at the river [[Ahava]] (Ezra 8:15; Ezra 8:18-20). He induced 38 to join him, with 220 Nethinim. At the feast of tabernacles (Nehemiah 8:7-8) they road and explained the law; their tithes were again secured to them (Nehemiah 10:37-39), and they dwelt in villages round Jerusalem, and took their place at the dedication of the wall (Nehemiah 12:27-30), and kept the gates to ensure the sanctification of the sabbath (Nehemiah 12:22). They appear as unloving formalists in Luke 10:32, and formed part of the deputation sent from [[Jerusalem]] to test John's credentials (John 1:19). </p> <p> [[Barnabas]] was a Levite (Acts 4:36). They are among the sealed tribes (Revelation 7). Their name is still preserved in the [[Jewish]] Levy, as Cohen is "priest." Their firstborn are exempted from certain payments among the Jews, as in the redemption of the firstborn. A false judaizing analogy makes the [[Christian]] deacons answer to the Levites, the presbyters to the priests, and the bishops to the high priest. Their temple psalmody was the forerunner of our church music; and to them we probably owe the preservation of some of the Scriptures. It is the peculiarity of the [[Mosaic]] system, as distinguished from pagan systems, that the Levites, the ministers of religion, not merely performed religious rites, but without vows of celibacy, freely intermarrying with the other tribes, were dispersed among the nation to teach moral and religious truths to all, of whom they formed the twelfth part (Deuteronomy 31:9-13). </p> <p> [[Drawing]] their livelihood from the tithes and offerings, which would fail if God's law were slighted, they had every motive to maintain it. Thus they consolidated the union of the tribes by the strongest tie, religion. The wisdom of their appointment accords with the divine origin of the Jewish law. Jehovah praises Levites as to the past: "My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared Me and was afraid before My name ... The law of truth was in his mouth and iniquity was not found in his lips; he walked with Me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity." The Lord at His coming is to "purify the sons of Levi, so that they may again offer an offering of righteousness" (Malachi 2:5-6; Malachi 3:3; compare Isaiah 66:21). </p>

<p> All the descendants of Levi may be comprised under this name, Exodus 6:16,25 Joshua 3:3 , (see Numbers 3:6-10 18:2-7 . God chose the Levites for the service of his tabernacle and temple, instead of the firstborn of all Israel, to whom such duties naturally belonged, and who were already sacred to God in memory of the great deliverance in Egypt. Exodus 13:1-22 Numbers 3:12,13,39-51 . In the wilderness, the Levites took charge of the tabernacle and its contents; and conveyed it from place to place, each of the three families having a separate portion, Numbers 1:51 4:1-49 1 Chronicles 15:2,27 . After the building of the temple they took charge of the gates, of the sacred vessels, of the preparation of the showbread and other offerings, and of the singing and instrumental music, 1 Chronicles 9:1-44 23:1-32 2 Chronicles 29:1-36 . They brought wood, water, etc., for the priests; aided them in preparing the sacrifices, and in collecting and disbursing the contributions of the people, 2 Chronicles 30:16,17 35:1 . They were also the temple guards, Nehemiah 13:13,22; and the salutation and response in Psalm 134:1-3 are thought by [[Bishop]] Lowth to have been their song in the night. But besides their services in the temple, they performed a very important part in teaching the people, 2 Chronicles 30:22 Nehemiah 8:7 , among whom they were scattered, binding the tribes together, and promoting virtue and piety. They studied the law, and were the ordinary judges of the country, but subordinate to the priests, 2 Chronicles 17:9 19:8-11 . God provided for the subsistence of the Levites, by giving to them the tithe of corn, fruit, and cattle; but they paid to the priests the tenth of their tithes; and as the Levites possessed no estates in land, the tithes which the priests received from them were considered as the first fruits which they were to offer to the Lord, Numbers 18:21-32 . The payment of tithes to the Levites appears not to have been enforced, but depended on the goodwill of the people; hence the special charges laid on their brethren, not to forget them, Deuteronomy 2:12,18,19 . </p> <p> God assigned for the habitation of the Levites forty-eight cities, with fields, pastures, and gardens, Numbers 35:1-34 . Of these, thirteen were given to the priests, all in the tribes near Jerusalem. Six of the [[Levitical]] cities were appointed as cities of refuge, Joshua 20:1-21:45 . While the Levites were actually employed in the temple, they were supported out of the provisions kept in store there, and out of the daily offerings. The same privilege was granted to volunteers, drawn to Jerusalem by the fervor of their love to God's service, Deuteronomy 12:18,19 18:6-8 . The consecration of Levites was without much ceremony. See Numbers 8:5-22 2 Chronicles 29:34 . </p> <p> The Levites wore no peculiar dress to distinguish them from other Israelites, till the time of Agrippa. His innovation in this matter is mentioned by Josephus, who remarked that the ancient customs of the country were never forsaken with impunity. </p> <p> The Levites were divided into different classes: the Gershomites, Kohathites, and Merarites, Numbers 3:17-20 . They were still further divided into courses, like the priests, 1 Chronicles 23:1-26:32 . At first, they entered in full on their public duties at thirty years of age, Numbers 4:3 8:25; but David fixed the age for commencing at twenty years; and at fifty they were exempt, 1 Chronicles 23:24-27 . The different courses of porters, singers, guards, etc., were on duty in succession, one week at a time, 1 Chronicles 23:1-26:32 2 Chronicles 23:4,8 31:17 Ezra 3:8-12 . After the revolt of the ten tribes, a large portion of the Levites abandoned their cities in Israel, and dwelt in Judah, 2 Chronicles 11:12-14 13:9-11 . After the captivity, numbers of them returned from beyond the [[Euphrates]] to Judea, Nehemiah 11:15-19 12:24-31 . In the New [[Testament]] they are not often mentioned, Luke 10:32 John 1:19 Acts 4:36 . The "scribes" and "doctors," however, are supposed to have belonged chiefly to this class. </p>

<p> <b> LEVITES. </b> —According to one line of tradition, the Levites were appointed to assist the priests (Numbers 3:9; Numbers 8:19; Numbers 18:1-6), but were not themselves, like Aaron and his sons, to approach unto the most holy things (Numbers 4:19); yet according to another representation the priesthood belonged to them as an inheritance (Deuteronomy 33:8-11, Joshua 18:7). Whatever may have been the origin and date of the distinction between priest and Levite, it existed in the post-exilic period, since it was recognized in NT times. The Levites are to be classed among the [[Temple]] officials, and to their office with its specific duties (Numbers 1:50-51; Numbers 3:8) they were formally set apart (Numbers 8:6-7). Among their duties was the instruction of the people* [Note: Schürer, HJP ii. i. 306 ff.] (Nehemiah 8:9, 2 Chronicles 30:22; 2 Chronicles 35:3) and ‘the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean,’ as also the handing of the blood to the priests to be sprinkled by them according to the Law† [Note: Keim, Jesus of Nazara, v. 276.] (2 Chronicles 30:16-17). </p> <p> The relation of assistantship which associated the Levites with the priests was similar to that which connected deacons with bishops in the Christian Church; and it is not improbable that that connexion was suggested by the arrangement of the functions of the Temple officers with which the Jewish converts to [[Christianity]] were familiar.‡ [Note: Hatch, The [[Organization]] of the Early Christian Churches, 52.] </p> <p> In the [[Gospels]] there are only two places where the word ‘Levite’ is found. In the first of these, the parable of the [[Good]] [[Samaritan]] (Luke 10:30-35), a priest and a Levite, representatives of the religion of Israel and at the same time examples of Jewish traditionalism, are unfavourably contrasted with a Samaritan, one of a people with whom the [[Jews]] had no dealings. The parable is the answer of Jesus to the lawyer who asked, ‘Who is my neighbour?’ and it seems evident that the Levite, described by Jesus, when he looked on the wounded man and passed by on the other side, recognized that he was not a Jew, and therefore not a neighbour to be humanely treated according to the commandment, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’ (Leviticus 19:18). The Levite, it may be concluded, accepted a Jewish traditional conception of ‘neighbour’ which excluded all those who were not of Israel. [[Clement]] of [[Alexandria]] wrote that Jesus, ‘on His interlocutor inquiring, “Who is my neighbour?” did not, in the same way with the Jews, specify the blood-relation, or the fellow-citizen, or the proselyte, or him that had been similarly circumcised, or the man who uses one and the same law.’§ [Note: Ante-Nicene Christian Library, xxii. 205.] </p> <p> In the Fourth [[Gospel]] (John 1:19) the distinction between priest and Levite is made by naming together the representatives of these classes, who were sent from Jerusalem to ask John the question, ‘Who art thou?’ The Levites, as teachers of the people, would be deemed qualified to judge of claims of Messiahship (so [[Hengstenberg]] and Godet, but see B. Weiss, <i> ad loc. </i> ); but it is significant that the mission to John of priests and Levites, who were officially connected with the [[Passover]] ceremonies, is recorded, and in it alone, in the Gospel which, according to the theory held by many critics, identifies Christ with the [[Paschal]] lamb. They were told by John that he was not the Christ; and immediately after the account of their interview with him there is the statement that he, seeing Jesus, said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29). </p> <p> Literature.—Schürer, <i> HJP </i> [Note: JP History of the Jewish People.] ii. i. 223 ff., 265 ff.; Milman, <i> Hist. of the Jews </i> , ii. 408; Kautzsch, <i> Lit. of the OT </i> , 90, 117; Schultz, <i> OT [[Theology]] </i> , i. 337; K. Budde, <i> Rel. of Israel to the [[Exile]] </i> , 80; and the art. ‘Priests and Levites’ by Baudissin in Hastings’ <i> DB. </i> [Note: Dictionary of the Bible.] </p> <p> J. Herkless. </p>

<p> Under this name may be comprised all the descendants of Levi; but it principally denotes those who were employed in the lowest ministries of the temple, by which they were distinguished from the priests, who, being descended from Aaron, were likewise of the race of Levi by Kohath, but were employed in higher offices. The Levites were descendants of Levi, by Gershom, Kohath, and Merari, excepting the family of Aaron; for the children of Moses had no part in the priesthood, and were only common Levites. God chose the Levites instead of the first-born of all Israel, for the service of his tabernacle and temple, Numbers 3:6 , &c. They obeyed the priests in the ministrations of the temple, and brought to them wood, water, and other things necessary for the sacrifices. They sung and played on instruments, in the temple, &c; they studied the law, and were the ordinary judges of the country, but subordinate to the priests. </p> <p> God provided for the subsistence of the Levites, by giving them the tithe of corn, fruit, and cattle; but they paid to the priests the tenth of their tithes; and as the Levites possessed no estates in the land, the tithes which the priests received from them were looked upon as the first-fruits which they were to offer to the Lord, Numbers 18:21-24 . God assigned them for their habitations forty-eight cities, with fields, pastures, and gardens, Numbers 35. Of these thirteen were given to the priests, six of which were cities of refuge, Joshua 20:7; Joshua 21:19-20 , &c. While the Levites were actually employed in the temple, they were subsisted out of the provisions in store there, and out of the daily offerings there made; and if any Levite quitted the place of his abode, to serve the temple, even out of the time of his half-yearly or weekly waiting, he was received there, kept and provided for, in like manner as his other brethren, who were regularly in waiting, Deuteronomy 18:6-8 . The consecration of Levites was without much ceremony. They wore no particular habit to distinguish them from the other Israelites, and God ordained nothing particularly for their mourning, 2 Chronicles 29:34 . The manner of their consecration may be seen in Numbers 8:5-7 , &c. </p> <p> [[Josephus]] says, that in the reign of Agrippa, king of the Jews, about A.D. 62, six years before the destruction of the temple by the Romans, the Levites desired permission from that prince to wear the linen tunic like the priests; and this was granted. This innovation was displeasing to the priests; and the Jewish historian remarks, that the ancient customs of the country were never forsaken with impunity. He adds, that [[Agrippa]] permitted likewise the families of the Levites, whose duty it was to guard the doors, and perform other troublesome offices, to learn to sing and play on instruments, that they might be qualified for the temple service as musicians. The Levites were divided into different classes: Gershonites, Kohathites, Merarites, and [[Aaronites]] or priests, Numbers 3, &c. The Gershonites, whose number was seven thousand five hundred, were employed in the marches through the wilderness in carrying the veils and curtains of the tabernacle; the Kohathites, whose number was eight thousand six hundred, in carrying the ark and sacred vessels of the tabernacle; the Merarites, whose number was six thousand two hundred, in carrying the several pieces of the tabernacle which could not be placed upon the chariots; and the Aaronites were the priests who served the sanctuary. When the Hebrews encamped in the wilderness, the Levites were placed around the tabernacle; Moses and Aaron at the east, Gershon at the west, Kohath at the south, and Merari at the north. Moses ordained that the Levites should not begin in the service of the tabernacle till they were five-and-twenty years of age, Numbers 8:24-26; or, as he says elsewhere, from thirty to fifty years old, Numbers 4:3 . But David, finding that they were no longer employed in these grosser offices of transporting the vessels of the tabernacle, appointed them to enter on service at the temple at twenty years of age. The priests and Levites waited by turns, weekly, in the temple. They began their weeks on one [[Sabbath]] day, and on the Sabbath day in the following week went out of waiting, 1 Chronicles 23:24; 2 Chronicles 21:17; Ezra 3:8 . When an [[Israelite]] made a religious entertainment in the temple, God required that the Levites should be invited to it, Deuteronomy 12:18-19 . </p>

Genesis 12:7-8Genesis 31:54Genesis 14:18Exodus 13:11-15Numbers 3:11-13Exodus 32:25-29Deuteronomy 10:6-9Numbers 18:20Numbers 35:1-8Joshua 13:1413:33Numbers 18:24-32Deuteronomy 12:1212:18Deuteronomy 16:1116:14 <p> The tribe of Levi included at least three separate families: Gershon, Kohath and Merari (with the families of Moses and Aaron being treated somewhat separately from the rest of the tribe of Gershon). During the wilderness journey they were in charge of taking the tabernacle down, transporting it, setting it up and conducting worship at the tent where God dwelt (Numbers 1:47-54; Numbers 3:14-39 ). In some passages (Deuteronomy 17:9 ,Deuteronomy 17:9,17:18; Deuteronomy 18:1; Deuteronomy 24:8 ), the terms <i> priest </i> and <i> Levite </i> (or Levitical priests) seem identical, but in Exodus 28:1 and Levitcus 8–10 it is clear that only the family of Aaron fulfilled the priestly duties of offering sacrifices in the tabernacle. Because there appears to be a different way of handling the relationship between the priests and the Levites in these texts, interpreters differ in the way they understand the Levites. Although it is possible that the role of the Levites changed or that the distinction between the priests and Levites was not maintained in each period with equal strictness, the interpretation which maintains a general distinction between the priests and Levites seem to fit most texts. </p> <p> The Levites were consecrated to God and given by God as a gift to Israel in order that they might perform the duties at the tabernacle (Exodus 29:1; Leviticus 8:1 ). Their work made it possible for the people to come to the tabernacle and offer sacrifices for the atonement of sins. The Levites assisted the priests in their responsibilities (Numbers 3:5-9; Numbers 16:9 ) by preparing grain offerings and the show bread, by purifying all the holy instruments used in the Temple, by singing praises to the Lord at the time of the morning and evening offerings, by assisting the priests with burnt offerings on sabbaths and feast days, and by being in charge of the Temple precinct and the chambers of the priests (1 Chronicles 6:31-48; 1Chronicles 23:1-13,1 Chronicles 23:24-32; 1 Chronicles 25:1-6; 2 Chronicles 29:12-19 ). Because of their work, the holiness of the Temple was maintained; and the glory of the Lord dwelt among Israel. During David's reign, the Levites were integrated into the administration of the government, including the keeping of the gates, judges, craftsmen, musicians, and overseers of the royal treasury (1 Chronicles 9:22-28; 1 Chronicles 23-26 ) In Jehoshaphat's time the Levites were involved with teaching the people the word of God (2 Chronicles 17:7-9 ). This responsibility probably continued into the postexilic period of Ezra (Nehemiah 8:9-12 ). </p> <p> Gary Smith </p>

<p> The tribe that descended from Levi, son of Jacob. When Moses came down from the mount and saw the golden calf which the people had made, he asked, "Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him." He bade them gird on their swords and slay every man his brother, his companion, and his neighbour. And there fell of the people that day about three thousand. Moses spoke of it as consecrating themselves to the Lord, every man upon his son, and upon his brother, that God might bestow a blessing upon them. Exodus 32:26-29 . </p> <p> The Levites were chosen by God as a redemption for all the firstborn of Israel, which God claimed for Himself. They thus became wholly His, and they were given to Aaron to minister in all that pertained to the service of the tabernacle, except the priesthood, which was restricted to Aaron and his descendants. Numbers 3:5-51 . </p> <p> Of the Levites there were three main branches: the GERSHONITES, the KOHATHITES, and the MERARITES. Moses and Aaron were descendants of Kohath. When the camp of Israel rested, this tribe surrounded the tabernacle. When it moved they had to carry its various parts and the sacred things belonging thereto. According to Numbers 4:3 , etc., the Levites appear to have commenced their tabernacle service at the age of thirty; but in Numbers 8:24-26 the age is given as twenty-five. It may be that they spent the first five years on probation, learning their duties. When Israel had settled in [[Canaan]] and the labour of carrying the tabernacle was over, they commenced their service at the age of twenty. They laboured till they were fifty years of age. 1 Chronicles 23:24-27 . </p> <p> Before the Levites entered upon any service they were thoroughly cleansed and consecrated. The children of Israel put their hands upon them, and Aaron offered them "before the Lord for an offering of the children of Israel" that they might execute the service of the Lord. An atonement was made for them. Numbers 8:5-26 . </p> <p> The Levites had no inheritance in the land, and in order that they might be free to serve the Lord, tithes were given them. Numbers 18:1-32 . Forty-eight cities were given to them as places to dwell in, and the suburbs thereof for their cattle. Six of these cities were to be CITIES OF REFUGE. Numbers 35:1-8 . The names of the cities are given in Joshua 20:7-9; Joshua 21:1-42 . </p> <p> In the time of David the Levites were set over 'the service of song;' others were door-keepers: some were singers and others played on various instruments. 1 Chronicles 6:31; 1 Chronicles 15:16,26 . In the days of [[Hezekiah]] after the temple had been cleansed, the Levites apparently helped to flay the sacrifices, being found "more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests." 2 Chronicles 29:34 . At the Passover that followed, the Levites had the charge of killing the passover lambs for the people who were unclean. 2 Chronicles 30:17 . On the return from exile the Levites helped to explain the law to the people. Nehemiah 8:7,8 . In the N.T. the Levites are mentioned only in Luke 10:32; John 1:19; Acts 4:36 . </p> <p> The Levites are typical of Christians, who are redeemed, cleansed, and consecrated to the service of the Lord, and have no inheritance on earth. </p>

<p> Levites (lç'vîtes). A term applied sometimes to all the descendants of Levi. Numbers 35:2; Joshua 21:3; Joshua 21:41; Exodus 6:25; Leviticus 25:32, etc. But the "sons of Aaron" were separated from the rest of the descendants of Levi and consecrated priests; hence, after this the Levites comprised only those descendants of Levi who were not "sons of Aaron"—that is, priests. 1 Kings 8:4; Ezra 2:70; John 1:19, etc. Sometimes, also, the term was used to show from what tribe the priests came—"the priests the Levites." Joshua 3:3; Deuteronomy 17:18. The Levites numbered 22,000 in the wilderness, and took the place of the first-born, part of whom were redeemed at five shekels each, Numbers 3:45-51, the fixed ransom for a victim vowed in sacrifice. Numbers 18:16; Leviticus 27:6. Thus the Levites came to occupy in the [[Hebrew]] theocracy a position midway between the priests and the people. They consisted of three great families, the Kohathites, the Gershonites, and the Merarites, of which the first carried the sacred vessels, the second the hangings and curtains of the tabernacle, and the third the boards and pillars. They also kept the book of the Law, Deuteronomy 17:8-12, and served as judges, etc. Forty-eight cities, with 1000 cubits of the country surrounding, were appropriated for the residence and maintenance of the Levites. Besides these cities, with adjacent districts, the Levites received a tithe of all produce, animal and vegetable, but of this they paid a tithe to the priests. Numbers 18:20-32. Another tithe they received every third year, and special provision was made for them during the term they administered in the sanctuary. In the time of David their number had increased to 38,000, of which 24,000 were set apart for the ordinary services, 6000 for the teaching of the Law and the administration of justice, 4000 as porters, and 4000 as musicians. They were divided into courses, and came up from their cities to the sanctuary in regular rotation. 1 Chronicles 23:1-32; 1 Chronicles 24:20-31; 1 Chronicles 25:1-31; 1 Chronicles 26:1-32. When the separation took place between the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah, all the Levites gathered to Judah, 2 Chronicles 11:13-15, and they continued to play a conspicuous part in the destinies of this kingdom. After the captivity, however, only a small number of them returned, Ezra 2:36-42; Ezra 8:10; Ezra 6:18; but in the new organization they assumed their old positions. They settled in the villages near Jerusalem, received their old tithes, etc. Nehemiah 10:37-39; Nehemiah 12:29. In the New Testament they occur as representatives of a formal worship destitute of love. Luke 10:32. The distinction of Levite is still maintained among the Jews. </p>