LEVITES, THE

- Descended from Jacob's third son Ge 29:34; Heb 7:9,10 - Prophecies respecting Ge 49:5,7; De 33:8-11 - Originally consisted for three families or divisions Nu 3:17; 1Ch 6:16-48 - Not numbered with Israel Nu 1:47-49 - Numbered separately after the people from a month old Nu 3:14-16,39 - FAMILIES, AS NUMBERED . Of Gershom Nu 3:18,21,22 . Of Kohath Nu 3:19,27,28 . Of Merari Nu 3:20,33,34 - Chosen by God for service of the sanctuary 1Ch 15:2; Nu 3:6 - Were consecrated Nu 8:6,14 - Taken instead of the first-born of Israel Nu 3:12,13,40-45; 8:16-18 - Zeal against idolatry a cause of their appointment Ex 32:26-28; De 33:9,10 - Entered on their service at twenty-five years of age Nu 8:24 - Numbered as ministers at thirty Nu 4:3,23-49 - Superannuated at fifty Nu 8:25 - When superannuated required to perform the less arduous duties Nu 8:26 - CEREMONIES AT CONSECRATION OF . Cleansing and purifying Nu 8:7 . Making a sin-offering for Nu 8:8,12 . Elders of Israel laying their hands on them Nu 8:9,10 . Presenting them to God as an offering for the people Nu 8:11,15 . Setting before the priest and presenting them as their offering to God Nu 8:13 - Given to Aaron and sons Nu 3:9; 8:19 - Encamped round the tabernacle Nu 1:50,52,53; 3:23,29,35 - Marched in the centre of Israel Nu 2:17 - SERVICES OF . Ministering to the Lord De 10:8 . Ministering to priests Nu 3:6,7; 18:2 . Ministering to the people 2Ch 35:3 . Keeping the charge of the sanctuary Nu 18:3; 1Ch 23:32 . Keeping sacred instruments and vessels Nu 3:8; 1Ch 9:28,29 . Keeping sacred oil, flour, 1Ch 9:29,30 . Keeping sacred treasures 1Ch 26:20 . Taking charge of the tithes, offerings, 2Ch 31:11-19; Ne 12:44 . Doing the service of tabernacle Nu 8:19,22 . Taking down, putting up, and carrying the tabernacle, Nu 1:50,51; 4:5-33 . Preparing the sacrifices for the priests 1Ch 23:31; 2Ch 35:11 . Preparing the show bread 1Ch 9:31,32; 23:29 . Purifying the holy things 1Ch 23:28 . Regulating weights and measures 1Ch 23:29 . Teaching the people 2Ch 17:8,9; 30:22; 35:3; Ne 8:7 . Blessing the people De 10:8 . Keeping the gates of the temple 1Ch 9:17-26; 23:5; 2Ch 35:15; Ne 12:25 . Conducting the sacred music 1Ch 23:5-30; 2Ch 5:12,13; Ne 12:24,27-43 . Singing praises before the army 2Ch 20:21,22 . Judging and deciding in controversies De 17:9; 1Ch 23:4; 2Ch 19:8 - Guarded king's person and house in times of danger 2Ki 11:5-9; 2Ch 23:5-7 - Had no inheritance in Israel De 10:9; Jos 13:33; 14:3 - The Jews to be kind and benevolent to De 12:12,18,19; 14:29; 16:11,14 - Eight and forty cities with extensive suburbs, appointed for Nu 35:2-8 - The tithes given to, for their support Nu 18:21,24; 2Ch 31:4,5; Ne 12:44,45; Heb 7:5 - Bound to give a tenth of their tithes to the priests Nu 18:26-32 - Had a part of their offerings De 18:1,2 - DAVID . Numbered them first from thirty years old 1Ch 23:2-3 . Divided them into four classed 1Ch 23:4-6 . By his last words had them numbered from twenty years old 1Ch 23:24,27 . Made them serve from twenty on account of the lightness of their duties 1Ch 23:26,28-32 . Subdivided into 24 courses 1Ch 23:6; 25:8-31 . Made them attend in courses 2Ch 8:14; 31:17 - Served in courses after captivity Ezr 6:18 - Had chiefs or officers over them Nu 3:24,30,35; 1Ch 15:4-10; 2Ch 35:9; Ezr 8:29 - Were all under control of the high priest's deputy Nu 3:32; 1Ch 9:20 - While in attendance lodged around the temple 1Ch 9:27 - Punished with death for encroaching on the priestly office Nu 18:3 - Punishment of Korah and others of, for offering incense Nu 16:1-35