Dictionary entry

Levites, The

R. A. Torrey's New Topical Textbook

Descended from Jacob's third son Ge 29:34; Heb 7:9,10

Prophecies respecting Ge 49:5,7; De 33:8-11

Originally consisted for three families or divisions Nu 3:17; 1Ch 6:16-48

Not numbered with Israel Nu 1:47-49

Numbered separately after the people from a month old Nu 3:14-16,39

FAMILIES, AS NUMBERED

Of Gershom Nu 3:18,21,22

Of Kohath Nu 3:19,27,28

Of Merari Nu 3:20,33,34

Chosen by God for service of the sanctuary 1Ch 15:2; Nu 3:6

Were consecrated Nu 8:6,14

Taken instead of the first-born of Israel Nu 3:12,13,40-45; 8:16-18

Zeal against idolatry a cause of their appointment Ex 32:26-28; De 33:9,10

Entered on their service at twenty-five years of age Nu 8:24

Numbered as ministers at thirty Nu 4:3,23-49

Superannuated at fifty Nu 8:25

When superannuated required to perform the less arduous duties Nu 8:26

CEREMONIES AT CONSECRATION OF

Cleansing and purifying Nu 8:7

Making a sin-offering for Nu 8:8,12

Elders of Israel laying their hands on them Nu 8:9,10

Presenting them to God as an offering for the people Nu 8:11,15

Setting before the priest and presenting them as their offering to God Nu 8:13

Given to Aaron and sons Nu 3:9; 8:19

Encamped round the tabernacle Nu 1:50,52,53; 3:23,29,35

Marched in the centre of Israel Nu 2:17

SERVICES OF

Ministering to the Lord De 10:8

Ministering to priests Nu 3:6,7; 18:2

Ministering to the people 2Ch 35:3

Keeping the charge of the sanctuary Nu 18:3; 1Ch 23:32

Keeping sacred instruments and vessels Nu 3:8; 1Ch 9:28,29

Keeping sacred oil, flour, &c 1Ch 9:29,30

Keeping sacred treasures 1Ch 26:20

Taking charge of the tithes, offerings, &c 2Ch 31:11-19; Ne 12:44

Doing the service of tabernacle Nu 8:19,22

Taking down, putting up, and carrying the tabernacle, &c Nu 1:50,51; 4:5-33

Preparing the sacrifices for the priests 1Ch 23:31; 2Ch 35:11

Preparing the show bread 1Ch 9:31,32; 23:29

Purifying the holy things 1Ch 23:28

Regulating weights and measures 1Ch 23:29

Teaching the people 2Ch 17:8,9; 30:22; 35:3; Ne 8:7

Blessing the people De 10:8

Keeping the gates of the temple 1Ch 9:17-26; 23:5; 2Ch 35:15; Ne 12:25

Conducting the sacred music 1Ch 23:5-30; 2Ch 5:12,13; Ne 12:24,27-43

Singing praises before the army 2Ch 20:21,22

Judging and deciding in controversies De 17:9; 1Ch 23:4; 2Ch 19:8

Guarded king's person and house in times of danger 2Ki 11:5-9; 2Ch 23:5-7

Had no inheritance in Israel De 10:9; Jos 13:33; 14:3

The Jews to be kind and benevolent to De 12:12,18,19; 14:29; 16:11,14

Eight and forty cities with extensive suburbs, appointed for Nu 35:2-8

The tithes given to, for their support Nu 18:21,24; 2Ch 31:4,5; Ne 12:44,45; Heb 7:5

Bound to give a tenth of their tithes to the priests Nu 18:26-32

Had a part of their offerings De 18:1,2

DAVID

Numbered them first from thirty years old 1Ch 23:2-3

Divided them into four classed 1Ch 23:4-6

By his last words had them numbered from twenty years old 1Ch 23:24,27

Made them serve from twenty on account of the lightness of their duties 1Ch 23:26,28-32

Subdivided into 24 courses 1Ch 23:6; 25:8-31

Made them attend in courses 2Ch 8:14; 31:17

Served in courses after captivity Ezr 6:18

Had chiefs or officers over them Nu 3:24,30,35; 1Ch 15:4-10; 2Ch 35:9; Ezr 8:29

Were all under control of the high priest's deputy Nu 3:32; 1Ch 9:20

While in attendance lodged around the temple 1Ch 9:27

Punished with death for encroaching on the priestly office Nu 18:3

Punishment of Korah and others of, for offering incense Nu 16:1-35