3017. Leui
Lexical Summary
Leui: Levi

Original Word: Λευί
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Leui
Pronunciation: lay-OO-ee
Phonetic Spelling: (lyoo'-ee)
KJV: Levi
NASB: Levi
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H3878 (לֵוִי - Levi))]

1. Levi, the name of three Israelites

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 Origin
of Hebrew origin Levi
Definition
Levi, the name of several Isr.
NASB Translation
Levi (8).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3017: Λευί

Λευί and Λευίς (T Tr (yet see below) WH Λευεις (but Lachmann Λευίς; see εἰ, )), 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), (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).

Topical Lexicon
Old Testament Background

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.
Luke 3:29 lists another “Levi” descended from Simeon and linked to Matthat.

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).
• “One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham” (Hebrews 7:9).

The writer highlights three truths:

1. The Levitical priesthood was lawful yet limited; mortal priests needed constant replacement.
2. Melchizedek’s order, fulfilled in Christ, is superior because it is eternal and based on an indestructible life.
3. By tithing to Melchizedek “through Abraham,” Levi himself acknowledged the supremacy of a greater priesthood, foreshadowing the abolition of animal sacrifices and the inauguration of the new covenant.

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.
• Universal priesthood of believers: sealing Levi alongside non-Levitical tribes anticipates the kingdom reality where every redeemed person serves as “a kingdom and priests to our God” (Revelation 5:10).

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.
• Stewardship and Giving: The tithe principle, connected to Levi, encourages believers to support gospel ministry generously.
• Holiness and Service: Levi’s consecration calls Christians to live distinct, service-oriented lives, reflecting God’s holiness before the world.

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.

Forms and Transliterations
Λευει Λευεί Λευὶ Leui Leuì
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Luke 3:24 N
GRK: 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
GRK: Μαθθάτ τοῦ Λευὶ
NAS: the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,
KJV: which was [the son] of Matthat, which was [the son] of Levi,
INT: of Matthat of Levi

Hebrews 7:5 N
GRK: τῶν υἱῶν Λευὶ τὴν ἱερατείαν
NAS: of the sons of Levi who receive
KJV: the sons of Levi, who
INT: the sons of Levi the priesthood

Hebrews 7:9 N-NMS
GRK: Ἀβραὰμ καὶ Λευὶ ὁ δεκάτας
INT: Abraham also Levi who tithes

Revelation 7:7 N
GRK: ἐκ φυλῆς Λευὶ δώδεκα χιλιάδες
NAS: from the tribe of Levi twelve
KJV: the tribe of Levi [were] sealed
INT: out of [the] tribe of Levi twelve thousand

Strong's Greek 3017
5 Occurrences


Λευὶ — 5 Occ.

3016
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