Who Is Levite In The Bible?

The Levites were a tribe of Israel that descended from Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah. In the Bible, the Levites were set apart from the other tribes and given special duties in the Israelite community. They served as priests, musicians, gatekeepers, and teachers of the law. This article will explore the role of Levites in the Bible and their significance in the history of Israel.

The Family of Levi

Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah, born in Paddan-aram. His name means "joined," and Leah hoped that he would bring her and Jacob closer together. However, Levi and his brother Simeon were known for their violence and were responsible for killing the men of Shechem after their sister Dinah was raped.

Despite their past, God chose to bless the descendants of Levi and set them apart as a special tribe. In Exodus 2:1-2, we see that Moses was from the tribe of Levi: "Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months."

The Role of Levites in the Tabernacle

After the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, God commanded them to build a Tabernacle where He could dwell among them. The Levites were given the responsibility of setting up, taking down, and transporting the Tabernacle as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness.

In Numbers 1:50-51, God instructs Moses: "But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle."

The Levites were also responsible for performing the sacrifices and offerings in the Tabernacle. They were the only ones allowed to enter the holy place and the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept.

The Levites as Teachers and Judges

In addition to their duties in the Tabernacle, the Levites were also responsible for teaching the law to the people of Israel. In Deuteronomy 33:10, Moses blesses the Levites and says: "They shall teach Jacob your rules and Israel your law; they shall put incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar."

The Levites were also appointed as judges in Israel. In Deuteronomy 17:8-11, we see that if a case was too difficult for the local judges to decide, it was brought before the Levitical priests: "If a case comes before the courts that is too difficult for them to judge, whether the dispute involves homicide, injury, or property, they must go up to the place the Lord your God will choose. They are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you the verdict."

The Levites and the Kingdom of Israel

After the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the Levites were given cities in which to live. These cities were scattered throughout the land of Israel and were intended to serve as centers of worship and instruction.

During the time of the Judges, the Levites played an important role in preserving the worship of God among the Israelites. In Judges 18:30, we see that a Levite was serving as a priest to the tribe of Dan: "And the people of Dan set up the carved image for themselves, and Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land."

The Levites continued to serve as priests and teachers throughout the period of the monarchy. During the reign of King David, the Levites were organized into groups and assigned specific duties in the Tabernacle and the Temple. In 1 Chronicles 24, we see that the priests were divided into 24 groups, each with its own schedule of service.

Final Thoughts

The Levites played a crucial role in the history of Israel. They were set apart by God and given special duties in the community. Their role as priests, musicians, gatekeepers, and teachers of the law helped to preserve the worship of God among the Israelites. Although the Levitical priesthood was replaced by the priesthood of Jesus Christ, their legacy lives on in the pages of the Bible. As Christians, we can learn from their example of faithful service to God and dedication to His Word.