LEVITES. The descendants of Levi. Set apart as ministers of religion, Num. 1:47–54; 3:6–16; 16:9; 26:57–62; Deut. 10:8; 1 Chr. 15:2. Substituted in the place of the firstborn, Num. 3:12, 41–45; 8:14, 16–18; 18:6. Religious zeal of, Ex. 32:26–28; Deut. 33:9, 10; Mal. 2:4, 5. Consecration of, Num. 8:6–21. Sedition among, led by Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On, on account of jealousy toward Moses and Aaron, Num. 16, with 4:19, 20. Three divisions of, each having the name of one of its progenitors, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, Num. 3:17. Gershonites and their duties, Num. 3:18–26; 4:23–26; 10:17. Ruling chief over the Gershonites was the second son of the ruling high priest, Num. 4:28. Kohathites, consisting of the families of the Amramites, Izeharites, Hebronites, Uzzielites, Num. 3:27; 4:18–20. Of the Amramites, Aaron and his family were set apart as priests, Ex. 28:1; 29:9; Num. 3:38; 8:1–14; 17; 18:1; the remaining families appointed to take charge of the ark, table, lampstand, altars, and vessels of the sanctuary, the hangings, and all the service, Num. 3:27–32; 4:2–15. The chief over the Kohathites was the oldest son of the ruling high priest, Num. 3:32; 1 Chr. 9:20. Merarites, Num. 3:20, 33–37; 4:31–33; 7:8; 10:17; 1 Chr. 6:19, 29, 30; 23:21–23. The chief over the Merarites was the second son of the ruling high priest, Num. 4:33. Place of, in camp and march, Num. 1:50–53; 2:17; 3:23–35. Cities assigned to, in the land of Canaan, Josh. 21. Lodged in the chambers of the temple, 1 Chr. 9:27, 33; Ezek. 40:44. Resided also in villages outside of Jerusalem, Neh. 12:29. Age of, when inducted into office, Num. 4:3, 30, 47; 8:23–26; 1 Chr. 23:3, 24, 27; Ezra 3:8; when retired from office, Num. 4:3, 47; 8:25, 26. Functions of: Had charge of the tabernacle in camp and on the march, Num. 1:50–53; 3:6–9, 21–37; 4:1–15, 17–49; 8:19, 22; 18:3–6; and of the temple, 1 Chr. 9:27–29; 23:2–32; Ezra 8:24–34. Bore the ark of the covenant, Deut. 10:8; 1 Chr. 15:2, 26, 27. Ministered before the ark, 1 Chr. 16:4. Custodians and administrators of the tithes and other offerings, 1 Chr. 9:26–29; 26:28; 29:8; 2 Chr. 24:5, 11; 31:11–19; 34:9; Ezra 8:29, 30, 33; Neh. 12:44. Prepared the consecrated bread, 1 Chr. 23:28, 29. Assisted the priests in preparing the sacrifice, 2 Chr. 29:12–36; 2 Chr. 35:1–18. Killed the passover for the children of the captivity, Ezra 6:20, 21. Teachers of the law, Deut. 33:10; 2 Chr. 17:8, 9; 30:22; 35:3; Neh. 8:7–13; Mal. 2:6, 7. Were judges, Deut. 17:9; 1 Chr. 23:4; 26:29; 2 Chr. 19:8–11; Neh. 11:16. See Judges. Were scribes of the sacred books. See Scribes. Pronounced the blessings of the law in the responsive service at Mount Gerizim, Deut. 27:12; Josh. 8:33. Were doorkeepers. See Gatekeepers. Were overseers in building and the repairs of the temple, 1 Chr. 23:2–4; Ezra 3:8, 9. Were musicians of the temple service. See Music. Supervised weights and measures, 1 Chr. 23:29. List of those who returned from captivity, Ezra 2:40–63; 7:7; 8:16–20; Neh. 7:43–73; 12. Sealed the covenant with Nehemiah, Neh. 10:9–28. Emoluments of: In lieu of landed inheritance, forty-eight cities with suburbs were assigned to them, Num. 35:2–8, with Num. 18:24; 26:62; Deut. 10:9; 12:12, 18, 19; 14:27–29; 18:1–8; Josh. 13:14; 14:3; 18:7; 1 Chr. 6:54–81; 13:2; 2 Chr. 23:2; Ezek. 34:1–5. Assigned to, by families, Josh. 21:4–40. Suburbs of their cities were inalienable for debt, Lev. 25:32–34. Tithes and other offerings, Num. 18:24, 26–32; Deut. 18:1–8; 26:11–13; Josh. 13:14; Neh. 10:38, 39; 12:44, 47. Firstfruits, Neh. 12:44, 47. Spoils of war, including captives, Num. 31:30, 42–47. See Tithes. Tithes withheld from, Neh. 13:10–13; Mal. 3:10. Pensioned, 2 Chr. 31:16–18. Owned lands, Deut. 18:8, with 1 Kin. 2:26. Land allotted to, by Ezekiel, Ezek. 48:13, 14. Enrollment of, at Sinai, Num. 1:47–49; 2:33; 3:14–39; 4:2, 3; 26:57–62; 1 Chr. 23:3–5. Degraded from the Levitical office by Jeroboam, 2 Chr. 11:13–17; 13:9–11. Loyal to the ruler, 2 Kin. 11:7–11; 2 Chr. 23:7. Intermarry with Canaanites, Ezra 9:1, 2; 10:23, 24. Exempt from enrollment for military duty, Num. 1:47–54, with 1 Chr. 12:26. Subordinate to the sons of Aaron, Num. 3:9; 8:19; 18:6. Prophecies concerning, Jer. 33:18; Ezek. 44:10–14; Mal. 3:3; of their repentance of the crucifixion of the Messiah, Zech. 12:10–13. John’s vision concerning, Rev. 7:7.