Levi

Levi was the third son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and Leah (Genesis 29:34). Along with his brother Simeon, he took revenge on the Shechemites for the rape of their sister Dinah (Genesis 34:25-31). Jacob rebuked them for this act on his deathbed (Genesis 49:5-7). Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (Genesis 46:11;Exodus 6:16). His descendants, the Levites, were set apart as the priestly tribe (Exodus 32:26-29;Numbers 3:5-13). They were responsible for the tabernacle and its services (Numbers 1:47-54; 3.14-39; 4.1-49; 8.5-26). The Levites were given cities throughout Israel, but no territorial inheritance (Numbers 35:1-8;Joshua 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 (Luke 10:32;John 1:19;Acts 4:36). The Levitical priesthood is contrasted with the superior priesthood of Christ (Hebrews 7:1-28).