Bible Figure
Levite
A Levite was a member of the tribe of Levi, the tribe set apart for religious service in Israel; the term describes a group rather than one individual.
Biography
Levi was one of Jacob's sons, and his descendants formed the tribe of Levi. Under the Mosaic covenant, the Levites were set apart for service connected with the tabernacle and later the Temple. The Aaronic family within Levi supplied the priests, while other Levitical clans carried out supporting duties involving the sanctuary, music, guarding, teaching, and other sacred responsibilities. The Levites did not receive a normal tribal territory like the other tribes but were assigned cities throughout Israel and were supported in part by tithes. Individual Levites appear throughout biblical history in both faithful and unfaithful roles.
Biblical Significance
The Levites were central to Israel's organized worship and instruction. Because this database record represents a class of people rather than a single biblical person, its biography should be understood corporately rather than as an individual life.