The Levites, a distinct tribe set apart for the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, played a crucial role in the religious life of ancient Israel. Among their many duties, the purification of the holy things was a significant responsibility, ensuring that the sacred objects used in worship were maintained in a state of ritual purity.

Biblical Foundation

The role of the Levites in purifying the holy things is rooted in the instructions given by God to Moses. In Numbers 8:5-7 , the Lord commands Moses regarding the Levites: "Take the Levites from among the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. This is what you are to do to purify them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification, have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes. Then they will be clean."

This purification process was not only for the Levites themselves but extended to the sacred objects they handled. The Levites were entrusted with the care of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as outlined in Numbers 3:6-9 : "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community at the Tent of Meeting by doing the work of the tabernacle. They are to take care of all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, fulfilling the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the tabernacle."

Duties and Responsibilities

The Levites' duties included the transportation, assembly, and disassembly of the Tabernacle, as well as the maintenance of its sacred objects. In Numbers 4, specific tasks are assigned to different Levitical families. The Kohathites, for example, were responsible for the most sacred items, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, and the altars. Numbers 4:15 states, "When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their accessories, and when the camp is ready to move, only then are the Kohathites to come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things, or they will die."

The purification of these holy things was essential to maintain their sanctity. The Levites ensured that the objects used in worship were free from any defilement, adhering to the strict purity laws outlined in the Torah. This included the use of water for purification, as well as other ritual practices that underscored the holiness of the items.

Symbolism and Significance

The purification of the holy things by the Levites symbolized the need for holiness and purity in approaching God. The sacred objects represented God's presence among His people, and their purity was a reflection of the divine holiness. The Levites, through their service, acted as mediators between God and the Israelites, ensuring that the worship conducted was acceptable and in accordance with divine commandments.

The meticulous care with which the Levites performed their duties highlights the importance of reverence and respect in worship. Their service was a constant reminder to the Israelites of the holiness required by God and the need for a pure heart in approaching Him.

Legacy and Continuation

The Levitical service of purifying the holy things continued into the era of the Temple in Jerusalem. Even after the destruction of the Temple, the principles of purity and holiness in worship remained integral to Jewish religious practice. The Levites' dedication to maintaining the sanctity of the holy things serves as an enduring example of faithful service to God, emphasizing the importance of purity in the life of believers.1 Chronicles 23:28
Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... Singing, in which none but Levites were permitted ... not introduce instrumental music
into their congregational services. ... the idea of washing or purifying; and it ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... but that the temple and its services contained many ... courses of the priests and the
Levites, and for ... sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees ...
... Priests and Levites' - the colleagues of John the Priest - would be ... duty was only
connected with the services of the ... did not lose its purity and purifying power ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the deputation from.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... The amount of these services, in themselves, has been ... it to its integrity by maintaining
and purifying it when ... In Nehemiah, the Levites, in the public assembly ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

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