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LEVI

(Heb. lēwî; Gk. Leuí)

1. The eponymous ancestor of the tribe of Levi and the Levites; the third son of Jacob by his first wife Leah (Gen. 29:34). At his birth Leah says, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me,” suggesting an etymology for Levi of “to be joined, attached.” This is consistent with other uses of Heb. lāwâ (Ps. 83:8[MT 9]; Isa. 14:1). It is also consistent with the notion of the Levites being “attached to, joined to” Aaron to serve him in the cult (Num. 18:2, 4).

Levi and the Levites were characterized by zeal for Yahweh, which is exemplified in Levi by the story of the rape of his sister Dinah (Gen. 34). In that account Levi, along with his brother Simeon, avenges the rape of their sister by demanding that the rapist, who now wants to marry Dinah, circumcise himself and all the males of his town. They agree to this in order to intermarry, but while they are incapacitated from their circumcision Levi and Simeon slay them all with the sword and plunder the city. This action establishes their reputation for violence and ruthless anger on behalf of the moral imperative. It also serves to explain their scattering throughout Israel and Judah (cf. Josh. 18:7), for it was asserted that because of their temper no one would want to come into their counsel or assembly (Gen. 49:5-7).

This excessive zeal in behalf of right vs. wrong exemplified by Levi in the Dinah episode is viewed as characteristic of his descendants as well. In the story of the sin of the Golden Calf (Exod. 32), e.g., it is the Levites (as opposed to Aaron) who were willing to kill their kinsmen, neighbors, and friends on behalf of the Lord. Thus, that day they were consecrated to the Lord (Exod. 32:26-29).

Lisbeth S. Fried

2. An ancestor of Jesus, listed in Luke’s genealogy as the father of Matthat and son of Melchi (Luke 3:24).

3. A tax collector (Luke 5:27, 29), the son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14), whom Jesus called as a disciple. Levi is generally taken as the Hebrew name of Matthew in Matt. 9:9.

4. Another ancestor of Jesus, according to Luke the father of Matthat and son of Simeon (Luke 3:29).

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LEVI

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)