Topical Bible: Levites: Consecration of

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The consecration of the Levites is a significant event in the Old Testament, marking the dedication of the tribe of Levi to the service of the Lord and the tabernacle. This consecration is detailed primarily in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, where the Levites are set apart for their unique role among the Israelites.

Background and Selection

The tribe of Levi was chosen by God for special service, distinct from the other tribes of Israel. This selection is rooted in the aftermath of the golden calf incident, where the Levites demonstrated their loyalty to God (Exodus 32:26-29). As a result, they were appointed to serve in the tabernacle, replacing the firstborn sons of Israel, who were initially consecrated to God (Numbers 3:12-13).

Ritual of Consecration

The consecration of the Levites involved a series of specific rituals, as outlined in Numbers 8:5-22. The Lord instructed Moses on the process, which included the following steps:

1. Cleansing: The Levites were to be ceremonially cleansed. This involved sprinkling them with the water of purification, shaving their entire bodies, and washing their clothes (Numbers 8:7).

2. Offerings: The Levites were to present a young bull with its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and a second young bull for a sin offering (Numbers 8:8).

3. Laying on of Hands: The Israelites were to lay their hands on the Levites, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility and dedication to the Lord's service (Numbers 8:10).

4. Presentation Before the Lord: Aaron was to present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the Israelites, signifying their consecration and acceptance for service (Numbers 8:11).

5. Sacrificial Offerings: The Levites were to lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and then the bulls were sacrificed—one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering—to make atonement for the Levites (Numbers 8:12).

6. Service Commencement: After these rituals, the Levites were set apart to work in the tent of meeting, assisting Aaron and his sons in their priestly duties (Numbers 8:14-15).

Role and Duties

The Levites were entrusted with various responsibilities related to the tabernacle and later the temple. Their duties included transporting the tabernacle and its furnishings, maintaining the sacred space, and assisting the priests in sacrificial offerings and other religious ceremonies (Numbers 3:5-9; 1 Chronicles 23:28-32).

Significance

The consecration of the Levites underscores the importance of holiness and dedication in service to God. It highlights the principle of substitution, as the Levites took the place of the firstborn of Israel, and it emphasizes the need for purity and atonement in approaching the divine presence. The Levites' role as intermediaries between God and the people of Israel foreshadows the ultimate mediation of Christ, who fulfills the priestly functions in the New Covenant.

The consecration of the Levites is a profound testament to God's sovereign choice and the call to serve Him with reverence and devotion.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 8:6-21
Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Consecration of Joy
... The feast of tabernacles was the consecration of joy. ... Bands of grave men with flashing
torches danced before the people, while Levites 'accompanied them with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the consecration of joy.htm

Consecration and Dedication
... You must reach this point in your consecration, so you can realize just as ... were
sanctified, and did not then wait by course: also the Levites which were the ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter iii consecration and dedication.htm

Numbers
... by a few sections of a more legal nature"instructions for fixing the lamps upon
the lampstand, viii.1-4, for the consecration of the Levites and their period ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/numbers.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... 132:2: "Like the precious ointment on the head that ran down upon the beard, the
beard of Aaron." But the Levites received no other consecration besides being ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

Excursus on the Word Prospherein .
... draws a parallel between bishops and deacons and the Priests and Levites of the ... but
that the essence of the Sacrifice is the act of consecration; the "making ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the word prospherein.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... of rooms for the lodging of the priests and Levites, many hundreds in ... that glorious
light which descended at Solomon's prayer of consecration, and filled the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

Sacrifice Renewed
... neglected had the Temple been that a strong force of priests and Levites took a ... the
second stage of our return to God, for it expresses the consecration of our ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sacrifice renewed.htm

September 29. "Call not Thou Common" (Acts x. 15).
... to the common, social and secular affairs into which we are to bring our consecration
principles. ... God wants the Levites scattered all over the cities of Israel ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /september 29 call not thou.htm

Princely Service.
... be the anointing of the HOLY GHOST, received by faith, as well as consecration to
Him ... of the congregation; and thou shall give them unto the Levites, to every ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part iii princely service.htm

Ezra, the Priest and Scribe
... Once more Ezra appealed to the Levites, sending them an urgent invitation to ... hand
of God, lent more than ordinary solemnity to the consecration service that ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 50 ezra the priest.htm