3878. Levi

Lexicon

Levi: Levi

Original Word: לֵוִי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Leviy
Pronunciation: lay-VEE
Phonetic Spelling: (lay-vee')
Definition: Levi
Meaning: Levi

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Levi

From lavah; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob -- Levi. See also Leviy, Leviyiy.

see HEBREW lavah

see HEBREW Leviy

see HEBREW Leviyiy

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him
NASB Translation
Levi (65), Levi's (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

I. לֵוִי proper name, masculine Levi (√ and meaning dubious; Genesis 29:34 (J) interpreted as joined, i. e. husband to wife; Numbers 18:2,4 (P; apparently in word-play) of Levites as joined to, attendant upon, Aaron; originally as attached to, accompanying Israel from Egypt, Lag^{Or. ii. 20 f.}; as attached to, attending upon the ark, Bau^{Priest. 74}; in this case

I.לֵוִי would be derived from

II. לֵוִי in priestly sense; Hom^{A. u. A. 1890, 30 f.} proposes Minaean לוא, lau'ân, priest, compare Id^{Süd-Arab. Chrest. 127}; against all such views see Kau^{SK 1890, 771 f.} We^{Prol. ed. 5, 141; Hist. Israel 145} Sta^{ZAW i (1881), 112 ff.} Gray^{Prop. Names, p. 96}, compare Nö^{ZMG xi (1886). 167}, make לֵוִי name, of a people from לֵאָה (q. v.); compare a further suggestion We^{Skizzen iii. 114}) — ᵐ5 Λευ(ε)ι(ν); —

1. a. Levi, son of Jacob and Leah, as individual, Genesis 29:34; Genesis 34:25,30; Genesis 35:23; Genesis 49:5 (all J); Genesis 35:23; Genesis 46:11; Exodus 1:2; Exodus 6:16; Exodus 16:16; Numbers 3:17; Numbers 16:1 (all P); 1 Chronicles 21; 1 Chronicles 5:22; 1 Chronicles 6:1; 1 Chronicles 6:4; 1 Chronicles 6:23; 1 Chronicles 6:28; 1 Chronicles 6:32; 1 Chronicles 23:6; Ezra 8:18; so ׳בַּתלֿ [אֶתֿ] Exodus 2:1 (E), Numbers 26:59 (P).

b. as head of a family of descendants, in phrase בֵּית לֵוִי Exodus 2:1 (E), and (with reference to tribe; late) Numbers 17:23, ׳מִשְׁמַּחַת בֵּית ל Zechariah 12:13.

c. often ׳בְּנֵי(ֿ) ל Exodus 32:26,28 (E), Joshua 21:10 (P), ׳בְּנֵי(ֿ) ל with tribal reference Numbers 3:15; Numbers 4:2; Numbers 18:21 (charged with service of tabernacle, and hence to receive tithes; all P); as priests הַכֹּהֲנִים בְּנֵי לֵוִי Deuteronomy 21:5; Deuteronomy 31:9, compare Malachi 3:3, and ׳לֹא הָיוּ מִבְּנֵי ל 1 Kings 12:31; from the ׳בְּנֵי ל the Zadokites are selected as priests Ezekiel 40:46; according to 1 Chronicles 9:18; 1 Chronicles 23:24,27 ׳בְּנֵי ל are subordinate officials in temple (compare 1 Chronicles 23:28f.), compare 1 Chronicles 24:20; sharply distinguished from priests Ezra 8:15; Nehemiah 12:23 (compare Nehemiah 12:22); so also in later stratum of story of Korah's revolt Numbers 16:7,8,10 (P²).

2 as name of tribe, ׳שֵׁבֶט ל Deuteronomy 18:1 (priestly tribe), ׳מַטֵּה ל Numbers 1:49 (in charge of tabernacle), Numbers 3:6; Numbers 18:2 (ministers unto Aaron); לֵוִי alone = (tribe of) Levi Deuteronomy 27:12; Deuteronomy 33:8 (earlier poem), Numbers 26:58 (P), Ezekiel 48:31; Malachi 2:4 (priestly tribe, compare Malachi 2:1), 1 Chronicles 21:6; 1 Chronicles 27:17; ׳מַטֵּה ל =rod of (the tribe of) Levi Numbers 17:18 (P); also (no inheritance, because charged with service of tabernacle) Deuteronomy 10:9.

[לֵוָי] name, of a people Levite (Biblical Hebrew לִוֵי); — plural emphatic לויא Kt, לְוָאֵי Qr (K^{§§ 61, 6}); 52. d), Ezra 6:16,18; Ezra 7:13,24 (all + priests).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Hebrew root לָוָה (lavah), meaning "to join" or "to attach."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G3017 (Λευί): This Greek entry corresponds to the Hebrew לֵוִי, used in the New Testament to refer to Levi, the son of Jacob, and the tribe of Levi.
• G3018 (Λευίτης): This Greek term refers to a Levite, a member of the tribe of Levi, often used in the context of their religious duties and roles within the Jewish community.

Usage: Levi is used in the Hebrew Bible as the name of the third son of Jacob and Leah. It is also the name of the tribe that descended from him, known for its priestly duties and religious functions in Israel.

Context: • Levi as a Person: Levi is the third son of Jacob and Leah, as recorded in Genesis 29:34. Leah named him Levi, expressing her hope that her husband Jacob would become more attached to her after bearing him three sons. Levi, along with his brother Simeon, is noted for his violent reaction against Shechem in Genesis 34, which later led to Jacob's rebuke in Genesis 49:5-7.

• Tribe of Levi: The descendants of Levi formed the tribe of Levi, which held a unique position among the tribes of Israel. Unlike other tribes, the Levites were not allocated a specific territory in the Promised Land. Instead, they were given cities scattered throughout the other tribes' territories (Numbers 35:1-8). The Levites were set apart for religious duties, serving as priests and temple workers. The priestly line specifically descended from Levi's son Kohath, through Aaron, Moses' brother (Exodus 6:16-20).

• Role in Israelite Worship: The Levites played a crucial role in the religious life of Israel. They were responsible for the care and transport of the Tabernacle during the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 1:50-53). Later, they served in the Temple in Jerusalem, assisting the priests in various rituals and maintaining the sacred space (1 Chronicles 23:28-32).

• Significance in Biblical History: The tribe of Levi's dedication to religious service is highlighted in several key biblical events. For instance, during the incident of the golden calf, the Levites rallied to Moses' side, demonstrating their loyalty to God (Exodus 32:25-29). This act further solidified their role as the tribe set apart for divine service.

Forms and Transliterations

הַ֭לֵּוִי הַלֵּוִ֔י הַלֵּוִ֖י הַלֵּוִ֗י הַלֵּוִֽי׃ הלוי הלוי׃ וְלֵוִ֖י וְלֵוִ֜י וְלֵוִ֣י וְלֵוִי֙ וּלְלֵוִ֣י ולוי וללוי לְלֵוִ֖י לֵוִ֑י לֵוִ֔י לֵוִ֖י לֵוִ֛י לֵוִ֜י לֵוִ֣י לֵוִֽי׃ לֵוִי֒ לֵוִי֙ לֵוִי֩ לֵוִי֮ לוי לוי׃ ללוי hal·lê·wî halleVi hallêwî lə·lê·wî lê·wî leleVi ləlêwî leVi lêwî ū·lə·lê·wî uleleVi ūləlêwî veleVi wə·lê·wî wəlêwî

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 29:34
HEB: קָרָֽא־ שְׁמ֖וֹ לֵוִֽי׃
NAS: Therefore he was named Levi.
KJV: therefore was his name called Levi.
INT: called was his name Levi

Genesis 34:25
HEB: יַ֠עֲקֹב שִׁמְע֨וֹן וְלֵוִ֜י אֲחֵ֤י דִינָה֙
NAS: Simeon and Levi, Dinah's
KJV: Simeon and Levi, Dinah's
INT: of Jacob's Simeon and Levi brothers Dinah's

Genesis 34:30
HEB: שִׁמְע֣וֹן וְאֶל־ לֵוִי֮ עֲכַרְתֶּ֣ם אֹתִי֒
NAS: to Simeon and Levi, You have brought trouble
KJV: to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled
INT: Simeon and Levi have brought making

Genesis 35:23
HEB: רְאוּבֵ֑ן וְשִׁמְעוֹן֙ וְלֵוִ֣י וִֽיהוּדָ֔ה וְיִשָּׂשכָ֖ר
NAS: then Simeon and Levi and Judah
KJV: and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah,
INT: Reuben Simeon and Levi and Judah and Issachar

Genesis 46:11
HEB: וּבְנֵ֖י לֵוִ֑י גֵּרְשׁ֕וֹן קְהָ֖ת
NAS: The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath,
KJV: And the sons of Levi; Gershon,
INT: the sons of Levi Gershon Kohath

Genesis 49:5
HEB: שִׁמְע֥וֹן וְלֵוִ֖י אַחִ֑ים כְּלֵ֥י
NAS: Simeon and Levi are brothers;
KJV: Simeon and Levi [are] brethren;
INT: Simeon and Levi are brothers are implements

Exodus 1:2
HEB: רְאוּבֵ֣ן שִׁמְע֔וֹן לֵוִ֖י וִיהוּדָֽה׃
NAS: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah;
KJV: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,
INT: Reuben Simeon Levi and Judah

Exodus 2:1
HEB: אִ֖ישׁ מִבֵּ֣ית לֵוִ֑י וַיִּקַּ֖ח אֶת־
NAS: from the house of Levi went
KJV: of the house of Levi, and took
INT: man the house of Levi and married A daughter

Exodus 2:1
HEB: אֶת־ בַּת־ לֵוִֽי׃
NAS: and married a daughter of Levi.
KJV: and took [to wife] a daughter of Levi.
INT: and married A daughter of Levi

Exodus 6:16
HEB: שְׁמ֤וֹת בְּנֵֽי־ לֵוִי֙ לְתֹ֣לְדֹתָ֔ם גֵּרְשׁ֕וֹן
NAS: of the sons of Levi according to their generations:
KJV: of the sons of Levi according to their generations;
INT: are the names of the sons of Levi to their generations Gershon

Exodus 6:16
HEB: וּשְׁנֵי֙ חַיֵּ֣י לֵוִ֔י שֶׁ֧בַע וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֛ים
NAS: and the length of Levi's life
KJV: of the life of Levi [were] an hundred
INT: and the length of the life of Levi's and seven thirty

Exodus 6:19
HEB: אֵ֛לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הַלֵּוִ֖י לְתֹלְדֹתָֽם׃
KJV: these [are] the families of Levi according to their generations.
INT: These are the families of Levi to their generations

Exodus 32:26
HEB: כָּל־ בְּנֵ֥י לֵוִֽי׃
NAS: the sons of Levi gathered
KJV: side? [let him come] unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered
INT: all the sons of Levi

Exodus 32:28
HEB: וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ בְנֵֽי־ לֵוִ֖י כִּדְבַ֣ר מֹשֶׁ֑ה
NAS: So the sons of Levi did as Moses
KJV: And the children of Levi did
INT: did the sons of Levi instructed Moses

Numbers 16:1
HEB: קְהָ֖ת בֶּן־ לֵוִ֑י וְדָתָ֨ן וַאֲבִירָ֜ם
NAS: the son of Levi, with Dathan
KJV: the son of Levi, and Dathan
INT: of Kohath the son of Levi Dathan and Abiram

Numbers 16:7
HEB: לָכֶ֖ם בְּנֵ֥י לֵוִֽי׃
NAS: you sons of Levi!
KJV: upon you, ye sons of Levi.
INT: far sons of Levi

Numbers 16:8
HEB: נָ֖א בְּנֵ֥י לֵוִֽי׃
NAS: now, you sons of Levi,
KJV: Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
INT: now sons of Levi

Numbers 16:10
HEB: אַחֶ֥יךָ בְנֵי־ לֵוִ֖י אִתָּ֑ךְ וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּ֖ם
NAS: sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking
KJV: the sons of Levi with thee: and seek
INT: your brothers sons of Levi for seeking

Numbers 17:3
HEB: עַל־ מַטֵּ֣ה לֵוִ֑י כִּ֚י מַטֶּ֣ה
NAS: on the rod of Levi; for there is one
KJV: name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod
INT: on the rod of Levi for rod

Numbers 17:8
HEB: אַהֲרֹ֖ן לְבֵ֣ית לֵוִ֑י וַיֹּ֤צֵֽא פֶ֙רַח֙
NAS: for the house of Levi had sprouted
KJV: for the house of Levi was budded,
INT: of Aaron the house of Levi and put buds

Numbers 18:2
HEB: אַחֶיךָ֩ מַטֵּ֨ה לֵוִ֜י שֵׁ֤בֶט אָבִ֙יךָ֙
NAS: the tribe of Levi, the tribe
KJV: also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe
INT: your brothers the tribe of Levi the tribe of your father

Numbers 18:21
HEB: וְלִבְנֵ֣י לֵוִ֔י הִנֵּ֥ה נָתַ֛תִּי
NAS: To the sons of Levi, behold,
KJV: the children of Levi all the tenth
INT: to the sons of Levi behold have given

Numbers 26:59
HEB: יוֹכֶ֙בֶד֙ בַּת־ לֵוִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָלְדָ֥ה
NAS: the daughter of Levi, who
KJV: the daughter of Levi, whom [her mother] bare
INT: was Jochebed the daughter of Levi who was born

Numbers 26:59
HEB: יָלְדָ֥ה אֹתָ֛הּ לְלֵוִ֖י בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם וַתֵּ֣לֶד
NAS: was born to Levi in Egypt;
KJV: whom [her mother] bare to Levi in Egypt:
INT: who was born to Levi Egypt bore

Deuteronomy 10:8
HEB: אֶת־ שֵׁ֣בֶט הַלֵּוִ֔י לָשֵׂ֖את אֶת־
NAS: the tribe of Levi to carry
KJV: the tribe of Levi, to bear
INT: the LORD the tribe of Levi to carry the ark

58 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3878
58 Occurrences

hal·lê·wî — 9 Occ.
lə·lê·wî — 1 Occ.
lê·wî — 42 Occ.
ū·lə·lê·wî — 1 Occ.
wə·lê·wî — 5 Occ.