Levites: Difference between revisions
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[[file:Levites reading the law to the people.jpg |thumb|The image depicts Levites teaching the law to the people, as illustrated in the 1873 book, ''The Story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.'' ]] | <!-- interlanguage:start -->[[ko:레위인]]<!-- interlanguage:end -->[[file:Levites reading the law to the people.jpg |thumb|The image depicts Levites teaching the law to the people, as illustrated in the 1873 book, ''The Story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.'' ]]'''Levites''' (Hebrew: לֵוִיִּי<ref>[https://biblehub.com/hebrew/3881.htm Strong's Hebrew: 3881. לֵוִי], ''Bible Hub''</ref>) were a direct descendant of Levi, the third son of Jacob. They are also referred to as the '''tribe of Levi''' or the '''Levite people'''. They were classified into three families—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, named after the three sons of Levi.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+3%3A17&version=NIV |title=Numbers 3:17 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | ||
'''Levites''' (Hebrew: לֵוִיִּי<ref>[https://biblehub.com/hebrew/3881.htm Strong's Hebrew: 3881. לֵוִי], ''Bible Hub''</ref>) were a direct descendant of Levi, the third son of Jacob. They are also referred to as the '''tribe of Levi''' or the '''Levite people'''. They were classified into three families—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, named after the three sons of Levi.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+3%3A17&version=NIV |title=Numbers 3:17 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | |||
The Levites served in the [[temple]] on behalf of the other tribes of Israel and were responsible for making atonement for the sins of the people. Among the tribe of Levi, the descendants of Kohath—the lineage of [[Aaron]]—became [[Priest|priests]]. The remaining Levites, excluding Aaron’s direct descendants, were assigned to various duties in the temple. The term ''Levite'' can refer to all descendants of Levi, but more commonly, it is used in a narrower sense to refer only to those who served in the temple under the supervision of the priests. | The Levites served in the [[temple]] on behalf of the other tribes of Israel and were responsible for making atonement for the sins of the people. Among the tribe of Levi, the descendants of Kohath—the lineage of [[Aaron]]—became [[Priest|priests]]. The remaining Levites, excluding Aaron’s direct descendants, were assigned to various duties in the temple. The term ''Levite'' can refer to all descendants of Levi, but more commonly, it is used in a narrower sense to refer only to those who served in the temple under the supervision of the priests. | ||
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|Judgment | |Judgment | ||
|· Administering the law of the LORD and | |· Administering the law of the LORD and settling disputes among the residents of Jerusalem | ||
|[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2017%3A8%E2%80%9311%3B%202%20Ch%2019%3A8&version=NIV Dt 17:8–11; 2 Ch 19:8] | |[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2017%3A8%E2%80%9311%3B%202%20Ch%2019%3A8&version=NIV Dt 17:8–11; 2 Ch 19:8] | ||
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===Residence of the Levites=== | ===Residence of the Levites=== | ||
Although they did not receive a tribal territory, the Levites were given designated cities within the territories of the other tribes. A total of 48 cities were allocated to them, including six [[City of Refuge|cities of refuge]]—Bezer, Ramoth in Gilead, Golan in Bashan, Hebron, Shechem, and Kedesh in Galilee. In these cities, the Levites taught the people the [[The Law of God]]. | Although they did not receive a tribal territory, the Levites were given designated cities within the territories of the other tribes. A total of 48 cities were allocated to them, including six [[City of Refuge|cities of refuge]]—Bezer, Ramoth in Gilead, Golan in Bashan, Hebron, Shechem, and Kedesh in Galilee. In these cities, the Levites taught the people the [[The Law of God|Law of God]]. | ||
[[file:MapCitiesOfRefuge.svg |thumb| px |Location of the Cities of Refuge Allocated to the Tribe of Levi]] | [[file:MapCitiesOfRefuge.svg |thumb| px |Location of the Cities of Refuge Allocated to the Tribe of Levi]] | ||
*'''Cities Allocated to the Tribe of Levi''' | *'''Cities Allocated to the Tribe of Levi''' | ||
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After the southern Kingdom of Judah was conquered by [[Babylon]], the people were taken into captivity for 70 years. Eventually, they were freed when King [[Cyrus (II)|Cyrus]] of Persia issued a decree allowing them to [[Babylonian Captivity#Return of the Captives|return to Jerusalem]]. In response to Cyrus’s command to rebuild the temple of the [[Jehovah|LORD]], the work began under the leadership of Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Jeshua.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+3%3A8&version=NIV |title=Ezra 3:8 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> As the builders laid the foundation of the temple, the priests and Levites played trumpets and cymbals, and the people lifted up a great shout of praise to God.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+3%3A10-13&version=NIV |title=Ezra 3:10–13 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | After the southern Kingdom of Judah was conquered by [[Babylon]], the people were taken into captivity for 70 years. Eventually, they were freed when King [[Cyrus (II)|Cyrus]] of Persia issued a decree allowing them to [[Babylonian Captivity#Return of the Captives|return to Jerusalem]]. In response to Cyrus’s command to rebuild the temple of the [[Jehovah|LORD]], the work began under the leadership of Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Jeshua.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+3%3A8&version=NIV |title=Ezra 3:8 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> As the builders laid the foundation of the temple, the priests and Levites played trumpets and cymbals, and the people lifted up a great shout of praise to God.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+3%3A10-13&version=NIV |title=Ezra 3:10–13 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | ||
Later, during the second wave of return, [[ | Later, during the second wave of return, [[Ezra (Bible)|Ezra]] gathered those who were willing to return to Jerusalem and carried with him the offerings and sacred articles to be used in the temple. However, before departing, Ezra realized that no Levites were among the group. He therefore made a special effort to recruit Levites to join the journey.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+8%3A15-18&version=NIV |title=Ezra 8:15–18 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> As a result, a group of about 2,000 people, including priests, Levites, descendants of King David, and other Israelites, returned to their homeland. | ||
[[Nehemiah]], a Jew serving as a high official in the Persian Empire, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were still in ruins. He petitioned King Artaxerxes and was appointed governor of Judah, leading the third wave of returnees to Jerusalem. Nehemiah encouraged the people and directed them in the rebuilding of the city walls. Despite strong opposition from enemies, the work was completed because the people put their full trust in God. After the walls were restored, Nehemiah appointed gatekeepers, singers, and Levites, and the people celebrated the [[Feast of Tabernacles]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah+7%3A1&version=NIV |title=Nehemiah 7:1 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah+8%3A14-15&version=NIV |title=Nehemiah 8:14–15 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> During this time, the Levites not only assisted with sacrificial duties, but also led songs of praise, ensured the fair distribution of offerings, and instructed the people in the Law of God.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah+8%3A7-9&version=NIV |title=Nehemiah 8:7–9 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | [[Nehemiah]], a Jew serving as a high official in the Persian Empire, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were still in ruins. He petitioned King Artaxerxes and was appointed governor of Judah, leading the third wave of returnees to Jerusalem. Nehemiah encouraged the people and directed them in the rebuilding of the city walls. Despite strong opposition from enemies, the work was completed because the people put their full trust in God. After the walls were restored, Nehemiah appointed gatekeepers, singers, and Levites, and the people celebrated the [[Feast of Tabernacles]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah+7%3A1&version=NIV |title=Nehemiah 7:1 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah+8%3A14-15&version=NIV |title=Nehemiah 8:14–15 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> During this time, the Levites not only assisted with sacrificial duties, but also led songs of praise, ensured the fair distribution of offerings, and instructed the people in the Law of God.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah+8%3A7-9&version=NIV |title=Nehemiah 8:7–9 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | ||