Levites, The
1. Descended from Jacob’s third son. Ge 29:34; Heb 7:9,10.
2. Prophecies respecting. Ge 49:5,7; De 33:8-11.
3. Originally consisted for three families or divisions. Nu 3:17; 1Ch 6:16-48.
4. Not numbered with Israel. Nu 1:47-49.
5. Numbered separately after the people from a month old. Nu 3:14-16,39.
6. Families, as numbered
a. Of Gershom. Nu 3:18,21,22.
b. Of Kohath. Nu 3:19,27,28.
c. Of Merari. Nu 3:20,33,34.
7. Chosen by God for service of the sanctuary. 1Ch 15:2; Nu 3:6.
8. Were consecrated. Nu 8:6,14.
9. Taken instead of the first-born of Israel. Nu 3:12,13,40-45; 8:16-18.
10. Zeal against idolatry a cause of their appointment. Ex 32:26-28; De 33:9,10.
11. Entered on their service at twenty-five years of age. Nu 8:24.
12. Numbered as ministers at thirty. Nu 4:3,23-49.
13. Superannuated at fifty. Nu 8:25.
14. When superannuated required to perform the less arduous duties. Nu 8:26.
15. Ceremonies at consecration of
a. Cleansing and purifying. Nu 8:7.
b. Making a sin-offering for. Nu 8:8,12.
c. Elders of Israel laying their hands on them. Nu 8:9,10.
d. Presenting them to God as an offering for the people. Nu 8:11,15.
e. Setting before the priest and presenting them as their offering to God. Nu 8:13.
16. Given to Aaron and sons. Nu 3:9; 8:19.
17. Encamped round the tabernacle. Nu 1:50,52,53; 3:23,29,35.
18. Marched in the centre of Israel. Nu 2:17.
19. Services of
a. Ministering to the Lord. De 10:8.
b. Ministering to priests. Nu 3:6,7; 18:2.
c. Ministering to the people. 2Ch 35:3.
d. Keeping the charge of the sanctuary. Nu 18:3; 1Ch 23:32.
e. Keeping sacred instruments and vessels. Nu 3:8; 1Ch 9:28,29.
f. Keeping sacred oil, flour, &c. 1Ch 9:29,30.
g. Keeping sacred treasures. 1Ch 26:20.
h. Taking charge of the tithes, offerings, &c. 2Ch 31:11-19; Ne 12:44.
i. Doing the service of tabernacle. Nu 8:19,22.
j. Taking down, putting up, and carrying the tabernacle, &c. Nu 1:50,51; 4:5-33.
k. Preparing the sacrifices for the priests. 1Ch 23:31; 2Ch 35:11.
l. Preparing the show bread. 1Ch 9:31,32; 23:29.
m. Purifying the holy things. 1Ch 23:28.
n. Regulating weights and measures. 1Ch 23:29.
o. Teaching the people. 2Ch 17:8,9; 30:22; 35:3; Ne 8:7.
p. Blessing the people. De 10:8.
q. Keeping the gates of the temple. 1Ch 9:17-26; 23:5; 2Ch 35:15; Ne 12:25.
r. Conducting the sacred music. 1Ch 23:5-30; 2Ch 5:12,13; Ne 12:24,27-43.
s. Singing praises before the army. 2Ch 20:21,22.
t. Judging and deciding in controversies. De 17:9; 1Ch 23:4; 2Ch 19:8.
20. Guarded king’s person and house in times of danger. 2Ki 11:5-9; 2Ch 23:5-7.
21. Had no inheritance in Israel. De 10:9; Jos 13:33; 14:3.
22. The Jews to be kind and benevolent to. De 12:12,18,19; 14:29; 16:11,14.
23. Eight and forty cities with extensive suburbs, appointed for. Nu 35:2-8.
24. The tithes given to, for their support. Nu 18:21,24; 2Ch 31:4,5; Ne 12:44,45; Heb 7:5.
25. Bound to give a tenth of their tithes to the priests. Nu 18:26-32.
26. Had a part of their offerings. De 18:1,2.
27. David
a. Numbered them first from thirty years old. 1Ch 23:2-3.
b. Divided them into four classed. 1Ch 23:4-6.
c. By his last words had them numbered from twenty years old. 1Ch 23:24,27.
d. Made them serve from twenty on account of the lightness of their duties. 1Ch 23:26,28-32.
e. Subdivided into 24 courses. 1Ch 23:6; 25:8-31.
f. Made them attend in courses. 2Ch 8:14; 31:17.
28. Served in courses after captivity. Ezr 6:18.
29. Had chiefs or officers over them. Nu 3:24,30,35; 1Ch 15:4-10; 2Ch 35:9; Ezr 8:29.
30. Were all under control of the high priest’s deputy. Nu 3:32; 1Ch 9:20.
31. While in attendance lodged around the temple. 1Ch 9:27.
32. Punished with death for encroaching on the priestly office. Nu 18:3.
33. Punishment of Korah and others of, for offering incense. Nu 16:1-35.