Dictionary of Bible Themes Assistants to the Aaronic priests, they exercised an auxiliary ministry, caring for the tabernacle. After the ark was brought to Jerusalem by David their role was re-ordered and extended. They were reconsecrated during the reforms of Josiah and Hezekiah and recommissioned by Ezra and Nehemiah when the Israelites returned from captivity. Numbers 1:48-53The Levites and the care of the tabernacle See also The Levites are to transport, erect and guard the tabernacle Numbers 2:17Deuteronomy 10:8 Numbers 3:25-26 See also The Gershonite branch of the Levites are to care for the coverings and curtains of the tabernacle Numbers 4:24-27Numbers 3:31 See also The Kohathite branch of the Levites are to care for the furnishings of the sanctuary Numbers 4:4-20Numbers 3:36-37 See also The Merarite branch of the Levites are to care for the frames of the tabernacle Numbers 4:29-33Numbers 3:5-10 The Levites are to have an auxiliary ministry See also Numbers 8:19; 18:1-7Numbers 8:20-21 The Levites are set apart for their ministry See also Numbers 8:5-15Numbers 8:23-26 The Levites' period of service was between the ages of 25 and 50 See also Numbers 4:1-3Some suggest that the reason for the discrepancy in ages between Numbers chapters 4 and 8 is that the Levites had to serve an apprenticeship for the first five years. 1 Samuel 6:15Occasions after the settlement when the Levites transport the ark 2 Samuel 15:241 Kings 8:3-5 1 Chronicles 15:1-16 pp 2Ch 5:4-6 1 Chronicles 23:2-6David re-orders and extends the role of the Levites See also 1 Chronicles 6:31-49; 16:4-6; 23:24-32; 25:1-26:322 Chronicles 29:3-36; 35:1-6 Hezekiah and Josiah rededicate the Levites Ezra 6:16-18Ezra and Nehemiah recommission the Levites after the return from exile See also Nehemiah 12:22-26Ezekiel 44:10-14 Ezekiel prophesies a restored but restricted role for the Levites in the new temple See also 5420 music7269 Zion 7306 ark of the covenant 7414 priesthood, NT 7459 tabernacle, in OT 7467 temple, Solomon's 7768 priests, OT function 7960 singing 8622 worship 8664 praise 8676 thanksgiving |
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