Topical Encyclopedia The Levites, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, were set apart for special religious duties and service to God. 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.Biblical Foundation for the Levites' Support The institution of tithing for the support of the Levites is rooted in the Mosaic Law. In Numbers 18:21, the Lord declares, "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" . This passage establishes the principle that the Levites were to be sustained by the tithes of the people, as they were dedicated to the service of the tabernacle and later the temple. Role and Duties of the Levites The Levites were responsible for various duties related to the worship and religious life of Israel. They assisted the priests, who were also Levites but specifically from the line of Aaron, in the performance of sacrifices and the maintenance of the sanctuary. The Levites also served as musicians, gatekeepers, and teachers of the Law. Their service was integral to the spiritual life of the nation, and their support through tithes allowed them to focus on these sacred responsibilities. Distribution of Tithes The tithes given to the Levites were a tenth of the produce and livestock of the Israelites. In turn, the Levites were required to offer a tenth of the tithes they received to the priests, as stated in Numbers 18:26: "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" . This system ensured that the priests, who performed the most sacred duties, were also provided for. Historical Context and Practice Throughout Israel's history, the practice of tithing to support the Levites was sometimes neglected, leading to periods of spiritual decline. For instance, during the reign of Hezekiah, a revival of religious practice included the reinstitution of tithing to support the Levites, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 31:4-5: "Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and Levites, so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. As soon as the command was issued, the people of Israel gave in abundance the firstfruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and all the produce of the field. They brought a great amount—a tithe of everything" . Theological Significance The provision of tithes for the Levites underscores the principle that those who serve in the ministry of the Lord are to be supported by the community of faith. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14: "Do you not know that those who serve in the temple eat of its food, and those who attend to the altar share in the offerings? In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel" . The Levites' reliance on the tithes of the people highlights the communal responsibility of supporting those dedicated to spiritual service, ensuring that they can fulfill their God-given roles without distraction. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 18:21,24And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Chronicles 31:4,5 Nehemiah 12:44,45 Hebrews 7:5 Library Whether Tithes Should be Paid to the Clergy? part 1 On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ... Whether Men are Bound to Pay Tithes of all Things? part 2 The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees ... How Xerxes the Son of Darius was Well Disposed to the Jews; as ... On the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Commandments of the Church Reformation part ii. 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 The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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