Levites, The

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.