noted, they formed one tenth of the entire group which returned, and were essential for the functioning of the temple. They formed an integral part of the kingdom of priests which God’s people were called to be. The Levites emerge into prominence in the Pentateuch as the avengers of the Lord’s honour after the incident of the golden calf4 and they have a significant role in the tabernacle, both in its construction and its protection and transport.5 They had no inheritance
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