Levite — Meaning in the Bible
A member of the tribe of Levi. Levites served at the tabernacle and temple; only Aaron's descendants among them were priests.
Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition
What it means
God set the Levites apart to serve at the tabernacle in place of the firstborn of Israel. They carried and cared for the tabernacle and later served as singers and gatekeepers. Numbers 3:5–13Numbers 4:151 Chronicles 15:16
The Levites received no tribal territory; God was their inheritance and they lived in towns among the tribes. In Jesus' parable a Levite passes the wounded man by. Numbers 18:20–24Joshua 21:1–3Luke 10:32
Key passages
- Numbers 3:5–13 — Levites set apart.
- Numbers 18:20–24 — No land; the tithe for the Levites.
- 1 Chronicles 15:16 — Levite singers.
- Luke 10:30–32 — The Levite in the parable.
Study further
- Numbers 3–4 Their duties.
- Deuteronomy 18:1–8 Their inheritance.