Topical Encyclopedia The Levites, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, were set apart for religious duties and service to the Lord. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance in the Promised Land. Instead, their inheritance was the Lord Himself, and they were supported through the tithes and offerings of the other Israelites.Tithes for the Levites The primary means of support for the Levites came from the tithes of the Israelites. According to the Mosaic Law, the Israelites were commanded to give a tenth of their produce, livestock, and other resources to the Levites. This tithe was considered holy and was given in recognition of the Levites' service in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Numbers 18:21 states, "Behold, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do—the work of the Tent of Meeting." The Levites, in turn, were required to offer a tithe of the tithes they received to the priests, the descendants of Aaron. This was a way to ensure that the priests, who performed the most sacred duties, were also provided for. Numbers 18:26 instructs, "Speak to the Levites and tell them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I have given you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD’s offering." Other Offerings and Support In addition to the tithes, the Levites were also supported through various offerings and contributions made by the Israelites. These included portions of certain sacrifices, such as the peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. Leviticus 7:34 specifies, "For I have taken the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution from the Israelites out of their peace offerings, and I have given them to Aaron the priest and his sons as a perpetual portion from the Israelites." The Levites also benefited from the firstfruits offerings, which were the first and best portions of the harvest. These offerings were brought to the temple as an acknowledgment of God's provision and blessing. Deuteronomy 18:4 states, "You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the first wool sheared from your flock." Role and Responsibilities The Levites played a crucial role in the religious life of Israel. They were responsible for the care and maintenance of the tabernacle and later the temple, as well as for assisting the priests in their duties. They also served as teachers of the Law and were involved in the administration of justice. Deuteronomy 33:10 highlights their teaching role: "They shall teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel. They shall set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar." The Levites' unique position as servants of the Lord and their reliance on the tithes and offerings of the people underscored the communal and covenantal nature of Israel's relationship with God. Their service was a constant reminder of the holiness and presence of God among His people. Nave's Topical Index Numbers 18:24,26-32But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said to them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 18:1-8 Deuteronomy 26:11-13 Joshua 13:14 Nehemiah 10:38,39 Nehemiah 12:44,47 Library And the Rulers of the Synagogue, and the Priests and the Levites.. ... And the Rulers of the Synagogue, and the Priests and the Levites.. ... part 1 How Pekah Died by the Treachery of Hoshea who was a Little after ... Leviticus. Malachi Reformation On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ... part 2 The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ... Resources How was God Himself the inheritance of the Levites? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between priests and Levites? | GotQuestions.org What can we learn from the tribe of Levi / the Levites? | 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) |
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