Topical Encyclopedia The Levites, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, hold a unique position in biblical history and prophecy. As descendants of Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah, the Levites were set apart for religious duties and service to the tabernacle and later the temple. Their role and future are subjects of various prophecies throughout the Scriptures.Role and Selection of the Levites The Levites were chosen by God to serve as priests and caretakers of the tabernacle. This selection is rooted in their loyalty during the incident of the golden calf, where they stood with Moses against idolatry (Exodus 32:26-29). As a result, God declared them His own, substituting them for the firstborn of Israel (Numbers 3:12-13). Prophecies in the Pentateuch In the Pentateuch, Moses prophesies concerning the Levites' role and inheritance. In Deuteronomy 18:1-2, it is stated, "The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the offerings made by fire to the LORD, for that is their inheritance." This prophecy underscores their unique position, relying on the Lord and the offerings of the people for sustenance. Blessings and Curses In Deuteronomy 33:8-11, Moses pronounces a blessing on the tribe of Levi, highlighting their faithfulness and role in teaching the law: "About Levi he said: 'Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your faithful one, whom You tested at Massah and contended with at the waters of Meribah. He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not regard them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not acknowledge his own sons, for they kept Your word and maintained Your covenant. They will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel. They will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar. Bless his substance, O LORD, and accept the work of his hands. Crush the loins of his foes; strike down his enemies so they rise no more." Prophecies in the Historical Books The historical books of the Old Testament also contain prophecies and promises concerning the Levites. In 1 Samuel 2:30-36, a prophecy is given against the house of Eli, a Levitical priest, due to the corruption of his sons. The prophecy foretells the downfall of Eli's house and the rise of a faithful priest: "I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time." Prophecies in the Prophets The prophetic books further elaborate on the future of the Levites. In Jeremiah 33:17-18, God promises the continuity of the Levitical priesthood: "For this is what the LORD says: David will never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, nor will the Levitical priests ever fail to have a man before Me to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to present sacrifices." Ezekiel also speaks of the Levites in the context of the future temple. In Ezekiel 44:10-16, the prophet distinguishes between the Levites who went astray and the faithful sons of Zadok, who will serve in the sanctuary: "But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from Me, will draw near to Me to minister before Me. They will stand before Me to offer Me fat and blood, declares the Lord GOD." The New Covenant and the Levites In the New Testament, the role of the Levites is transformed through the work of Christ. Hebrews 7:11-12 speaks of a change in the priesthood with the coming of Jesus, who is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, not Levi: "If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—for on this basis the people received the law—why was there still need for another priest to appear, one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?" While the New Covenant shifts the focus from the Levitical priesthood to the priesthood of all believers, the prophecies concerning the Levites highlight their enduring significance in God's redemptive plan. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 33:18Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually. Nave's Topical Index Ezekiel 44:10-14 Malachi 3:3 Library The Return of the Exiles Thessalonica The Cities of the Levites. "We have Found the Messias" The Eve of the Restoration Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus. Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober ... God's Reply to These Assumptions. Hezekiah How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to ... Resources What were the chief priests? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the cities of refuge in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org What was the Levitical priesthood? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Levites of the Amramites, Aaron and his Family Were Set Apart As Priests Levites of Their Repentance of the Crucifixion of the Messiah Levites were Overseers in Building and the Repairs of the Temple Levites: Age of when Inducted Into office Levites: Age of when Retired from office Levites: Assigned To, by Families Levites: Assisted the Priests in Preparing the Sacrifice Levites: Carried the Ark of the Covenant Levites: Cities Assigned To, in the Land of Canaan Levites: Custodians and Administrators of the Tithes and Other offerings Levites: Degraded from the Levitical office by Jeroboam Levites: Enrollment of, at Mount Sinai Levites: Exempt from Enrollment for Military Duty Levites: Functions of had Charge of the Tabernacle in the Encampments and on the March Levites: Functions of had Charge of the Temple Levites: Gershonites and Their Duties Levites: Intermarried With Canaanites Levites: John's Vision Concerning Levites: Killed the Passover Lambs for the People of the Captivity Levites: Land Allotted To, by Ezekiel Levites: Lodged in the Chambers of the Temple Levites: Ministered in the Presence of the Ark of the Covenant Levites: Place of, in Encampments and the March Levites: Prepared the Shewbread Levites: Pronounced the Blessings of the Law in the Responsive Service at Mount Gerizim Levites: Prophecies Concerning Levites: Resided Also in Villages Outside of Jerusalem Levites: Sealed the Covenant With Nehemiah Levites: Sedition Among, Led by Korah, Dathan, Abiram Levites: Set Apart As Ministers of Religion Levites: Subordinate to the Sons of Aaron Levites: Substituted in the Place of the Firstborn Children Levites: Suburbs of Their Cities Were Inalienable for Debt Levites: Supervised Weights and Measures As Standards of Doing Business Levites: The Chief Over the Kohathites Was the Oldest Son of the Ruling High Priest Levites: The Chief Over the Merarites Was the Second Son of the Ruling High Priest Levites: The Kohathites, Consisting of the Families of the Amramites, the Izeharites, the Hebronites Levites: The List of Those Who Returned from Captivity Levites: The Plunder of War, Including Captives Levites: The Remaining Families Appointed to Take Charge of the Ark of the Covenant Levites: The Ruling Chief Over the Gershonites Was the Second Son of the Ruling High Priest Levites: Tithes and Other offerings The Levites were all Under Control of the High Priest's Deputy The Levites: Bound to Give a Tenth of Their Tithes to the Priests The Levites: Ceremonies at Consecration of Cleansing and Purifying The Levites: Ceremonies at Consecration of Elders of Israel Laying Their Hands on Them The Levites: Ceremonies at Consecration of Making a Sin-Offering For The Levites: Ceremonies at Consecration of Presenting Them to God As an offering for the People The Levites: Ceremonies at Consecration of Setting Before the Priest and Presenting Them As Their The Levites: Chosen by God for Service of the Sanctuary The Levites: David by his Last Words had Them Numbered from Twenty Years Old The Levites: David: Divided Them Into Four Classed The Levites: David: Made Them Attend in Courses The Levites: David: Made Them Serve from Twenty on Account of the Lightness of The Levites: David: Numbered Them First from Thirty Years Old The Levites: David: Subdivided Into 24 Courses The Levites: Descended from Jacob's Third Son The Levites: Eight and Forty Cities With Extensive Suburbs, Appointed For The Levites: Encamped Round the Tabernacle The Levites: Entered on Their Service at Twenty-Five Years of Age The Levites: Families, As Numbered of Gershom The Levites: Families, As Numbered of Kohath The Levites: Families, As Numbered of Merari The Levites: Given to Aaron and Sons The Levites: Guarded King's Person and House in Times of Danger The Levites: had a Part of Their offerings The Levites: had Chiefs or officers Over Them The Levites: had No Inheritance in Israel The Levites: Marched in the Centre of Israel The Levites: Not Numbered With Israel The Levites: Numbered As Ministers at Thirty The Levites: Numbered Separately After the People from a Month Old The Levites: Originally Consisted for Three Families or Divisions The Levites: Prophecies Respecting The Levites: Punished With Death for Encroaching on the Priestly office The Levites: Punishment of Korah and Others of, for offering Incense The Levites: Served in Courses After Captivity The Levites: Services of Blessing the People The Levites: Services of Conducting the Sacred Music The Levites: Services of Doing the Service of Tabernacle The Levites: Services of Judging and Deciding in Controversies The Levites: Services of Keeping Sacred Instruments and Vessels The Levites: Services of Keeping Sacred Oil, Flour The Levites: Services of Keeping Sacred Treasures The Levites: Services of Keeping the Charge of the Sanctuary The Levites: Services of Keeping the Gates of the Temple The Levites: Services of Ministering to Priests The Levites: Services of Ministering to the Lord The Levites: Services of Ministering to the People The Levites: Services of Preparing the Sacrifices for the Priests The Levites: Services of Preparing the Show Bread The Levites: Services of Purifying the Holy Things The Levites: Services of Regulating Weights and Measures The Levites: Services of Singing Praises Before the Army The Levites: Services of Taking Charge of the Tithes, offerings The Levites: Services of Taking Down, Putting Up, and Carrying the Tabernacle The Levites: Services of Teaching the People The Levites: Superannuated at Fifty The Levites: Taken Instead of the First-Born of Israel The Levites: The Jews to be Kind and Benevolent To The Levites: The Tithes Given To, for Their Support The Levites: when Superannuated Required to Perform the Less Arduous The Levites: While in Attendance Lodged Around the Temple The Levites: Zeal Against Idolatry a Cause of Their Appointment Related Terms Contributions (19 Occurrences) Responsibility (17 Occurrences) |
    |