Reference: Levite
Easton
a descendant of the tribe of Levi (Ex 6:25; Le 25:32; Nu 35:2; Jos 21:3,41). This name is, however, generally used as the title of that portion of the tribe which was set apart for the subordinate offices of the sanctuary service (1Ki 8:4; Ezr 2:70), as assistants to the priests.
When the Israelites left Egypt, the ancient manner of worship was still observed by them, the eldest son of each house inheriting the priest's office. At Sinai the first change in this ancient practice was made. A hereditary priesthood in the family of Aaron was then instituted (Ex 28:1). But it was not till that terrible scene in connection with the sin of the golden calf that the tribe of Levi stood apart and began to occupy a distinct position (Ex 32). The religious primogeniture was then conferred on this tribe, which henceforth was devoted to the service of the sanctuary (Nu 3:11-13). They were selected for this purpose because of their zeal for the glory of God (Ex 32:26), and because, as the tribe to which Moses and Aaron belonged, they would naturally stand by the lawgiver in his work.
The Levitical order consisted of all the descendants of Levi's three sons, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; whilst Aaron, Amram's son (Amram, son of Kohat), and his issue constituted the priestly order.
The age and qualification for Levitical service are specified in Nu 4:3,23,30,39,43,47.
They were not included among the armies of Israel (Nu 1:47; 2:33; 26:62), but were reckoned by themselves. They were the special guardians of the tabernacle (Nu 1:51; 18:22-24). The Gershonites pitched their tents on the west of the tabernacle (Nu 3:23), the Kohathites on the south (Nu 3:29), the Merarites on the north (Nu 3:35), and the priests on the east (Nu 3:38). It was their duty to move the tent and carry the parts of the sacred structure from place to place. They were given to Aaron and his sons the priests to wait upon them and do work for them at the sanctuary services (Nu 8:19; 18:2-6).
As being wholly consecrated to the service of the Lord, they had no territorial possessions. Jehovah was their inheritance (Nu 18:20; 26:62; De 10:9; 18:1-2), and for their support it was ordained that they should receive from the other tribes the tithes of the produce of the land. Forty-eight cities also were assigned to them, thirteen of which were for the priests "to dwell in", i.e., along with their other inhabitants. Along with their dwellings they had "suburbs", i.e., "commons", for their herds and flocks, and also fields and vineyards (Nu 35:2-5). Nine of these cities were in Judah, three in Naphtali, and four in each of the other tribes (Jos 21). Six of the Levitical cities were set apart as "cities of refuge" (q.v.). Thus the Levites were scattered among the tribes to keep alive among them the knowledge and service of God. (See Priest.)
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And Eleazar, Aaron's son, took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife: which bare him Phinehas: these be the principal fathers of the Levites in their kindreds.
And take thou unto thee, Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me: both Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
he went and stood in the gate of the host and said, "If any man pertain unto the LORD, let him come to me." And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together and came unto him.
Notwithstanding, the cities of the Levites and the houses in the cities of their possessions the Levites may redeem at all seasons.
But the Levites in the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.
And when the tabernacle goeth forth, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is pitched, they shall set it up: for if any stranger come near, he shall die.
And yet the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses.
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "Behold, I have taken the Levites, from among the children of Israel, for all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: so that the Levites shall be mine. read more. Because all the firstborn are mine - for the same day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast, and mine they shall be: for I am the LORD."
And the kindreds of the Gershonites pitched behind the habitation westward.
And the kindred of the children of Kohath, pitched on the south side of the dwelling.
And the captain of the most ancient house among the kindreds of the Merarites, was Zuriel the son of Abihail, which pitched on the north side of the dwelling.
"But on the forefront of the habitation and before the tabernacle of witness eastward, shall Moses and Aaron and his sons pitch and wait on the sanctuary in the stead of the children of Israel. And the stranger that cometh nigh shall die for it."
all that were able to war - for to do the work in the tabernacle of witness:
from thirty years and above, until fifty, all that are able to go forth in war - for to do service in the tabernacle of witness.
from thirty years and above unto fifty, all that is able to go forth in war - to do the service of the tabernacle of witness.
from thirty years up unto fifty, all that were able to go forth in the host for to do service in the tabernacle of witness.
from thirty years up unto fifty, all that were able to go forth with the host to do service in the tabernacle of witness.
from thirty years up unto fifty, every man to do his office and service and to bear his burden in the tabernacle of witness -
and have given them unto Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of witness and to make an atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel, if they come nigh unto the sanctuary."
And thy brethren also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father take with thee, and let them be joined unto thee and minister unto thee. And thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness. And let them wait upon thee and upon all the tabernacle: only let them not come nigh the holy vessels and the altar, that both they and ye also die not. read more. And let them be by thee and wait on the tabernacle of witness, and on all the service of the tabernacle, and let no stranger come nigh unto you. Wait therefore upon the holy place and upon the altar, that there fall no more wrath upon the children of Israel: behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among children of Israel, to be yours, as gifts given unto the LORD to do the service of the tabernacle of witness.
And the LORD spake unto Aaron, "Thou shalt have none inheritance in their land, nor part among them. For I am thy part and thy inheritance among the children of Israel.
that the children of Israel henceforth come not nigh the tabernacle of witness, and bear sin and die. And the Levites shall do the service in the tabernacle of witness and bear their sin, and it shall be a law forever unto your children after you: But among the children of Israel they shall inherit none inheritance. read more. For the tithes of the children of Israel which they heave unto the LORD, I have given the Levites to inherit. Wherefore I have said unto them, 'Among the children of Israel ye shall inherit none inheritance.'"
And the number of them was twenty three thousand, of all the males from a month old and above. For they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.
And the number of them was twenty three thousand, of all the males from a month old and above. For they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.
"Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites, of the inheritance of their possession, cities to dwell in. And ye shall give also unto the cities of the Levites, suburbs round about them.
"Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites, of the inheritance of their possession, cities to dwell in. And ye shall give also unto the cities of the Levites, suburbs round about them. The cities shall be for them to dwell in, and the suburbs for their cattle, possession and all manner beasts of theirs. read more. And the suburbs of the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city outward, a thousand cubits round about. And ye shall measure without the city, and make the utmost border of the east side: two thousand cubits. And the utmost border of the south side: two thousand cubits. And the utmost border of the west side: two thousand cubits. And the utmost border of the north side: two thousand cubits also. And the city shall be in the midst. And these shall be the suburbs of their cities.
Wherefore the Levites have no part nor inheritance with their brethren. The LORD he is their inheritance, as the LORD thy God hath promised them.
The priests the Levites, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel. The offerings of the LORD and his inheritance they shall eat, but shall have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD he is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.
And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritances, at the bidding of the LORD, these cities following with their suburbs.
And all the cities that the Levites had in the possession of the children of Israel were forty eight with their suburbs.
and brought it and also the tabernacle of witness and all the holy vessels that were therein. And the priests and the Levites brought them up.
So the priests and the Levites, and certain of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.