Lexical Summary Leuités: Levite Original Word: Λευίτης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Levite. From Leui; a Levite, i.e. Descendant of Levi -- Levite. see GREEK Leui NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Leui Definition a Levite, a desc. of Levi NASB Translation Levite (2), Levites (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3019: ΛευίτηςΛευίτης (T WH Λευειτης (so Tr except in Acts 4:36; see εἰ, ἰ)), Λευίτου, ὁ, a Levite; a. one of Levi's posterity. b. in a norrower sense those were called Levites (Hebrew לֵוִי בְּנֵי, לְוִיִּים) who, not being of the race of Aaron for whom alone the priesthood was reserved, served as assistants of the priests. It was their duty to keep the sacred utensils and the temple clean, to provide the sacred loaves, to open and shut the gates of the temple, to sing sacred hymns in the temple, and do many other things; so Luke 10:32; John 1:19; Acts 4:36; ((Plutarch, quaest. conv. 1. iv. quaest. 6, 5; Philo de vit. Moys. i. § 58). See BB. DD., under the word Descended from Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah, Levites occupied a unique position among the tribes of Israel. Set apart after the golden-calf incident (Exodus 32:25-29), they became the tribe devoted to the service of the tabernacle and, later, the temple. The LORD Himself was their inheritance (Numbers 18:20), and they were sustained by tithes rather than territorial allotment, dwelling in forty-eight Levitical cities scattered throughout the land (Joshua 21). This dispersion enabled them to instruct Israel in the Law and to guard the purity of worship. Levitical Service and Duties 1. Worship Guardians: Levites dismantled, carried and re-erected the tabernacle, later functioning as doorkeepers, treasurers and musicians in Solomon’s temple (1 Chronicles 9:26-33; 15:16-24). New Testament Portraits Although the Levitical order fades in the New Covenant, three strategic references (John 1:19; Luke 10:32; Acts 4:36) preserve its memory and instruct believers. From Shadows to Substance: Christ and the Levitical Order Hebrews teaches that the Levitical priesthood was a “copy and shadow of the heavenly” (8:5), temporary by design and surpassed by the eternal priesthood “in the order of Melchizedek” (7:17). While Levites offered continual sacrifices, Jesus offered Himself once for all (10:11-14). Thus, the Levitical system points forward, magnifying Christ’s superior sacrifice and intercession. Continuing Relevance for Christian Ministry The Levites exemplify consecrated service, sacrificial stewardship and doctrinal instruction. The church, described as “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), now inherits these functions: Barnabas’s legacy highlights encouragement, generosity and missionary partnership—Levitical traits transposed into Spirit-empowered ministry. As believers heed these patterns, the tribe of Levi still speaks, calling the people of God to devoted service under the high priesthood of Jesus Christ. Englishman's Concordance Luke 10:32 N-NMSGRK: δὲ καὶ Λευίτης γενόμενος κατὰ NAS: Likewise a Levite also, when he came KJV: And likewise a Levite, when he was at INT: moreover also a Levite was at John 1:19 N-AMP Acts 4:36 N-NMS Strong's Greek 3019 |
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