Lexical Summary Leui: Levi Original Word: Λευί Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Levi. Of Hebrew origin (Leviy); Levi, the name of three Israelites -- Levi. Compare Leuis. see GREEK Leuis see HEBREW Leviy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Levi Definition Levi, the name of several Isr. NASB Translation Levi (8). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3017: ΛευίΛευί and Λευίς (T Tr (yet see below) WH Λευεις (but Lachmann Λευίς; see εἰ, ἰ)), genitive Λευί (T Tr WH Λευει), accusative Λευίν (T WH Λεύειν, so Tr except in Mark 2:14) (Buttmann, 21 (19); Winer's Grammar, § 10, 1), ὁ (Hebrew לֵוִי a joining, from לָוָה, cf. Genesis 29:34), Levi; 1. the third son of the patriarch Jacob by his wife Leah, the founder of the tribe of Israelites which bears his name: Hebrews 7:5, 9; (Revelation 7:7). 2. the son of Melchi, one of Christ's ancestors: Luke 3:24. 3. the son of Simeon, also an ancestor of Christ: Luke 3:29. 4. the son of Alphaeus, a collector of customs ((A. V. publican)): Mark 2:14 (here WH (rejected) marginal reading Ἰάκωβον (see their note at the passage, cf. Weiss in Meyer on Matthew 7te Aufl., p. 2)); Luke 5:27, 29; according to common opinion he is the same as Matthew the apostle (Matthew 9:9); but cf. Grimm in the Theol. Studien und Kritiken for 1870. p. 727ff; (their identity is denied also by Nicholson on Matthew 9:9; yet see Patritius, De Evangeliis, 1., the passage cited i. quaest. 1; Venables in Alex.'s Kitto, under the word Matthew; Meyer, Commentary on Matthew, Introductory § 1). Levi, third son of Jacob and Leah, became the ancestor of the Levitical tribe. Set apart after the golden-calf episode (Exodus 32:26-29), Levi’s descendants received no territorial allotment but were scattered among the tribes as priests, temple servants, and teachers of the Law (Joshua 13:14; Deuteronomy 33:8-11). The tribe’s role in worship, sacrifice, and instruction laid the groundwork for every New Testament occurrence of the name. Genealogical Mentions in Luke Luke traces the legal ancestry of Jesus through two men named Levi: • Luke 3:24 places “Levi” midway between Matthath and Melchi. By recording these otherwise unknown ancestors, Luke situates Jesus squarely within Israel’s covenant history, emphasizing that the Messiah springs from the same sacred lineage that once produced priests and temple ministers—even though His ultimate priesthood transcends Levi. The Levitical Priesthood in Hebrews Hebrews employs “Levi” twice to contrast the temporary Levitical system with the eternal priesthood of Christ: • “Now the law requires the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people…” (Hebrews 7:5). The writer highlights three truths: 1. The Levitical priesthood was lawful yet limited; mortal priests needed constant replacement. The Tribe of Levi among the Sealed (Revelation 7:7) Revelation lists Levi among the twelve tribes from which 144,000 are sealed: “from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed” (Revelation 7:7). Unlike earlier tribal enumerations that omit Levi due to priestly separation, the apocalyptic roster includes Levi yet excludes Dan. The vision underscores two themes: • God’s covenant faithfulness: even the priestly tribe, once landless, enjoys full participation in end-time preservation. Theological Significance 1. Continuity and Fulfillment The name Levi links the Mosaic economy to its fulfillment in Christ. Jesus honors the Law’s righteous requirements yet supersedes the Levitical order by offering a once-for-all sacrifice. 2. Typology of Priesthood Hebrews interprets Levi’s role as a shadow pointing to the true High Priest. The tribe’s privileges and limitations magnify Christ’s mediatorial supremacy. 3. Corporate Identity Levi’s inclusion in Revelation affirms that God does not discard earlier covenant structures; He transforms them. The Levitical heritage culminates in a global, worshiping priesthood. Practical Ministry Implications • Teaching the Word: As the Levites instructed Israel, churches today must prioritize faithful exposition of Scripture. Summary Strong’s Greek 3017, Λευί, evokes the rich tapestry of Israel’s priestly tribe, the limitations of the old covenant, and the surpassing glory of Christ’s eternal priesthood. From the genealogies of Luke to the doctrinal argument of Hebrews and the eschatological vision of Revelation, every New Testament occurrence of “Levi” reinforces the unbroken storyline of redemption that culminates in the Lamb who makes His people “priests to serve our God” for ever and ever. Englishman's Concordance Luke 3:24 NGRK: Μαθθὰτ τοῦ Λευὶ τοῦ Μελχὶ NAS: the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, KJV: Which was [the son] of Matthat, which was [the son] of Levi, which was [the son] of Melchi, INT: of Matthat of Levi of Melchi Luke 3:29 N Hebrews 7:5 N Hebrews 7:9 N-NMS Revelation 7:7 N |
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