Levite: A descendant of the tribe of Levi
(Exodus 6:25; Leviticus 25:32; Numbers 35:2)
(Joshua 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
(1 Kings 8:4; Ezra 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
(Exodus 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
(Exodus 32:1)ff The religious primogeniture was then conferred on
this tribe, which henceforth was devoted to the service of the
sanctuary
(Numbers 3:11-13) They were selected for this purpose because
of their zeal for the glory of God
(Exodus 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
(Numbers 4:3,23,30,39,43,47) They were not included
among the armies of Israel
(Numbers 1:47; 2:33; 26:62) but were reckoned
by themselves. They were the special guardians of the tabernacle
(Numbers 1:51; 18:22-24) The Gershonites pitched their tents on the west
of the tabernacle
(Numbers 3:23) the Kohathites on the south
(Numbers 3:29) the Merarites on the north
(Numbers 3:35) and the priests
on the east
(Numbers 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
(Numbers 8:19; 18:2-6) As being wholly
consecrated to the service of the Lord, they had no territorial
possessions. Jehovah was their inheritance
(Numbers 18:20; 26:62; Deuteronomy 10:9)
(Deuteronomy 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
(Numbers 35:2-5) Nine of these cities were in Judah, three in Naphtali,
and four in each of the other tribes
(Joshua 21:1)ff 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.
