Levite

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Levite \Le"vite\ (l[=e]"v[imac]t), n. [L. Levites, Gr.
     Leyi:`ths, fr. Heb. Levi, one of the sons of Jacob.]
     1. (Bib. Hist.) One of the tribe or family of Levi; a
        descendant of Levi; esp., one subordinate to the priests
        (who were of the same tribe) and employed in various
        duties connected with the tabernacle first, and afterward


        the temple, such as the care of the building, bringing of
        wood and other necessaries for the sacrifices, the music
        of the services, etc.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A priest; -- so called in contempt or ridicule.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  Levite
       n : a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi (especially the branch
           that provided male assistants to the Temple priests)

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Levite
     a descendant of the tribe of Levi (Ex. 6:25; Lev. 25:32; Num.
     35:2; Josh. 21:3, 41). This name is, however, generally used as
     the title of that portion of the tribe which was set apart for
     the subordinate offices of the sanctuary service (1 Kings 8:4;
     Ezra 2:70), as assistants to the priests.
     
       When the Israelites left Egypt, the ancient manner of worship
     was still observed by them, the eldest son of each house
     inheriting the priest's office. At Sinai the first change in
     this ancient practice was made. A hereditary priesthood in the
     family of Aaron was then instituted (Ex. 28:1). But it was not
     till that terrible scene in connection with the sin of the
     golden calf that the tribe of Levi stood apart and began to
     occupy a distinct position (Ex. 32). The religious primogeniture
     was then conferred on this tribe, which henceforth was devoted
     to the service of the sanctuary (Num. 3:11-13). They were
     selected for this purpose because of their zeal for the glory of
     God (Ex. 32:26), and because, as the tribe to which Moses and
     Aaron belonged, they would naturally stand by the lawgiver in
     his work.
     
       The Levitical order consisted of all the descendants of Levi's
     three sons, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; whilst Aaron, Amram's
     son (Amram, son of Kohat), and his issue constituted the
     priestly order.
     
       The age and qualification for Levitical service are specified
     in Num. 4:3, 23, 30, 39, 43, 47.
     
       They were not included among the armies of Israel (Num. 1:47;
     2:33; 26:62), but were reckoned by themselves. They were the
     special guardians of the tabernacle (Num. 1:51; 18:22-24). The
     Gershonites pitched their tents on the west of the tabernacle
     (3:23), the Kohathites on the south (3:29), the Merarites on the
     north (3:35), and the priests on the east (3:38). It was their
     duty to move the tent and carry the parts of the sacred
     structure from place to place. They were given to Aaron and his
     sons the priests to wait upon them and do work for them at the
     sanctuary services (Num. 8:19; 18:2-6).
     
       As being wholly consecrated to the service of the Lord, they
     had no territorial possessions. Jehovah was their inheritance
     (Num. 18:20; 26:62; Deut. 10:9; 18:1, 2), and for their support
     it was ordained that they should receive from the other tribes
     the tithes of the produce of the land. Forty-eight cities also
     were assigned to them, thirteen of which were for the priests
     "to dwell in", i.e., along with their other inhabitants. Along
     with their dwellings they had "suburbs", i.e., "commons", for
     their herds and flocks, and also fields and vineyards (Num.
     35:2-5). Nine of these cities were in Judah, three in Naphtali,
     and four in each of the other tribes (Josh. 21). Six of the
     Levitical cities were set apart as "cities of refuge" (q.v.).
     Thus the Levites were scattered among the tribes to keep alive
     among them the knowledge and service of God. (See {PRIEST}.)