A Levite is a Jewish man descended from the Tribe of Levi. Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah. The Tribe of Levi served special religious duties for the Israelites and also had political and educational responsibilities
(Deu (5 Mos) 10:8–9). In return, the other Israeli tribes were expected to tithe to support the Levites (Num (4 Mos) 18:21–24).
(Deu (5 Mos) 10:8–9). In return, the other Israeli tribes were expected to tithe to support the Levites (Num (4 Mos) 18:21–24).
When Joshua led the Israelites into the land of Canaan, the Tribe of Levi was the only tribe that was given only cities (Joshua 21:1–2, 41–42), and wasn't allowed to be landowners (Joshua 13:14, 33, 18:7a, Deu (5 Mos) 18:1–5).
(Exo (2 Mos) 28:1,
Num (4 Mos) 18:7,
2 Chron 13:10b), who was Moses' older brother. They performed the work of holiness in the Temple
(1 Chron 6:49), see Moses; Part 12: The Aaronic Priesthood.
The other Levites, not descended from Aaron, were specifically assigned to sing and/or play music in the Temple, serve as guards, or carry (1 Chron 6:48,
2 Chron 13:10b–11a).
The priesthood's temple role included animal sacrifice. It had a High Priest who served, first in the Tabernacle, then in the First Temple (Salomon's Temple), and then in the Second Temple (Herod's Temple) (516 BC–70 AD) in Jerusalem, until the destruction of Jerusalem 70 AD. He was the leader of worship in Israel and acted as the primary mediator between God and God's people.
It was only the High Priest who entered the Temple once a year, to bring atonement for the people of Israel (Lev (3 Mos) 16:32–34, Heb 9:7), see
The Atonement. The High Priest first brought atonement for himself and then for the people of Israel (Lev (3 Mos) 16:14–16, 18–19, 27, Hen 5:1–3). He must first cleanse his own sin before he could cleanse the people's sin. Aaron
was the first High Priest from the Tribe of Levi (Ezra 7:5). Aaron's son Eleazar became the second High Priest (Num (4 Mos) 20:25–28, Deu (5 Mos) 10:6).
The Atonement. The High Priest first brought atonement for himself and then for the people of Israel (Lev (3 Mos) 16:14–16, 18–19, 27, Hen 5:1–3). He must first cleanse his own sin before he could cleanse the people's sin. Aaron
was the first High Priest from the Tribe of Levi (Ezra 7:5). Aaron's son Eleazar became the second High Priest (Num (4 Mos) 20:25–28, Deu (5 Mos) 10:6).
Jesus Christ is identified as the High Priest (Heb 3:1, 4:14, 5:5, 7:28, 8:1, 9:11). He is the mediator between God and men. Jesus supersedes the priestly order of Levi by acting as both eternal High Priest and king according to the order of Melchizedek (Gen (1 Mos) 14:17–20, Psalm 110:4, Heb 5:6, 10, 6:20),
see Melchizedek in The Book of Hebrews.
see Melchizedek in The Book of Hebrews.
Jesus who was without sin gave his life for us, once for all, as the final
sacrificial lamb (Heb 9:24–25, 7:26–27, 13:11–12).
sacrificial lamb (Heb 9:24–25, 7:26–27, 13:11–12).
