Levites, The

Levites, The

Descended from Jacob's third son - Ge 29:34; Heb 7:9,10

Prophecies respecting - Ge 49:5,7; De 33:8-11

Originally consisted for three families or divisions - Nu 3:17; 1Ch 6:16-48

Not numbered with Israel - Nu 1:47-49

Numbered separately after the people from a month old - Nu 3:14-16,39

FAMILIES, AS NUMBERED

• Of Gershom
- Nu 3:18,21,22
• Of Kohath
- Nu 3:19,27,28
• Of Merari
- Nu 3:20,33,34

Chosen by God for service of the sanctuary - 1Ch 15:2; Nu 3:6

Were consecrated - Nu 8:6,14

Taken instead of the first-born of Israel - Nu 3:12,13,40-45; 8:16-18

Zeal against idolatry a cause of their appointment - Ex 32:26-28; De 33:9,10

Entered on their service at twenty-five years of age - Nu 8:24

Numbered as ministers at thirty - Nu 4:3,23-49

Superannuated at fifty - Nu 8:25

When superannuated required to perform the less arduous duties - Nu 8:26

CEREMONIES AT CONSECRATION OF

• Cleansing and purifying
- Nu 8:7
• Making a sin-offering for
- Nu 8:8,12
• Elders of Israel laying their hands on them
- Nu 8:9,10
• Presenting them to God as an offering for the people
- Nu 8:11,15
• Setting before the priest and presenting them as their
offering to God - Nu 8:13

Given to Aaron and sons - Nu 3:9; 8:19

Encamped round the tabernacle - Nu 1:50,52,53; 3:23,29,35

Marched in the centre of Israel - Nu 2:17

SERVICES OF

• Ministering to the Lord
- De 10:8
• Ministering to priests
- Nu 3:6,7; 18:2
• Ministering to the people
- 2Ch 35:3
• Keeping the charge of the sanctuary
- Nu 18:3; 1Ch 23:32
• Keeping sacred instruments and vessels
- Nu 3:8; 1Ch 9:28,29
• Keeping sacred oil, flour, &c
- 1Ch 9:29,30
• Keeping sacred treasures
- 1Ch 26:20
• Taking charge of the tithes, offerings, &c
- 2Ch 31:11-19; Ne 12:44
• Doing the service of tabernacle
- Nu 8:19,22
• Taking down, putting up, and carrying the tabernacle, &c
- Nu 1:50,51; 4:5-33
• Preparing the sacrifices for the priests
- 1Ch 23:31; 2Ch 35:11
• Preparing the show bread
- 1Ch 9:31,32; 23:29
• Purifying the holy things
- 1Ch 23:28
• Regulating weights and measures
- 1Ch 23:29
• Teaching the people
- 2Ch 17:8,9; 30:22; 35:3; Ne 8:7
• Blessing the people
- De 10:8
• Keeping the gates of the temple
- 1Ch 9:17-26; 23:5; 2Ch 35:15; Ne 12:25
• Conducting the sacred music
- 1Ch 23:5-30; 2Ch 5:12,13; Ne 12:24,27-43
• Singing praises before the army
- 2Ch 20:21,22
• Judging and deciding in controversies
- De 17:9; 1Ch 23:4; 2Ch 19:8

Guarded king's person and house in times of danger - 2Ki 11:5-9; 2Ch 23:5-7

Had no inheritance in Israel - De 10:9; Jos 13:33; 14:3

The Jews to be kind and benevolent to - De 12:12,18,19; 14:29; 16:11,14

Eight and forty cities with extensive suburbs, appointed for - Nu 35:2-8

The tithes given to, for their support - Nu 18:21,24; 2Ch 31:4,5; Ne 12:44,45; Heb 7:5

Bound to give a tenth of their tithes to the priests - Nu 18:26-32

Had a part of their offerings - De 18:1,2

DAVID

• Numbered them first from thirty years old
- 1Ch 23:2-3
• Divided them into four classed
- 1Ch 23:4-6
• By his last words had them numbered from twenty years old
- 1Ch 23:24,27
• Made them serve from twenty on account of the lightness of
their duties - 1Ch 23:26,28-32
• Subdivided into 24 courses
- 1Ch 23:6; 25:8-31
• Made them attend in courses
- 2Ch 8:14; 31:17

Served in courses after captivity - Ezr 6:18

Had chiefs or officers over them - Nu 3:24,30,35; 1Ch 15:4-10; 2Ch 35:9; Ezr 8:29

Were all under control of the high priest's deputy - Nu 3:32; 1Ch 9:20

While in attendance lodged around the temple - 1Ch 9:27

Punished with death for encroaching on the priestly office - Nu 18:3

Punishment of Korah and others of, for offering incense - Nu 16:1-35