Levi

Levi was the third son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and Leah (Gen.29.34). Along with his brother Simeon, he took revenge on the Shechemites for the rape of their sister Dinah (Gen.34.25-31). Jacob rebuked them for this act on his deathbed (Gen.49.5-7). Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (Gen.46.11; Exo.6.16). His descendants, the Levites, were set apart as the priestly tribe (Exo.32.26-29; Num.3.5-13). They were responsible for the tabernacle and its services (Num.1.47-54; 3.14-39; 4.1-49; 8.5-26). The Levites were given cities throughout Israel, but no territorial inheritance (Num.35.1-8; Jos.21.1-42). Notable Levites include Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. The Levites are frequently mentioned in the historical and prophetic books of the Old Testament, as well as in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles. In the New Testament, Levites are mentioned in connection with the temple and its services (Lk.10.32; Jn.1.19; Act.4.36). The Levitical priesthood is contrasted with the superior priesthood of Christ (Heb.7.1-28).