Levi

This article discusses the Biblical patriarch. See Levi Strauss for the inventor of jeans, Levites for the descendants of Levi, or Matthew the Evangelist for the disciple sometimes known as "Levi." For other names and surnames, see Levi (disambiguation).

Levi or Levy (Hebrew: לֵוִי, Standard Levy Tiberian Lēwî ; "joining") was the founder of the Levite tribe of ancient Israel. He was a son of Leah and Jacob, also known as Israel, who was in turn a son of Isaac, the son of Abraham.

Background

The Bible describes Levi as a clever but ferocious politician and soldier, prone to fits of anger. The Bible tells of when Shechem (a Hivite) had raped Levi's sister, Dinah. When Shechem came to request to be given Dinah as a wife, Jacob's sons agreed to the marriage on the condition that the Hivites be circumcised. Shechem agreed to this, but on the third day after the mass circumcision, while the Hivites were still sore, Levi and Simeon led an attack on the Hivite city and killed all the Hivite men and appropriated their wealth (Genesis 34). Levi was also involved with his brothers in the plot to kill his half brother Joseph. Jacob refused to make Levi his heir on account of his anger (Genesis 49:5).

Levites as priests

In the Book of Malachi, God explains why He chose the Levites to be His priests. It states as follows:

"And you will know that I have sent you this admonition so that my covenant with Levi may continue," says the LORD Almighty. "My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin." (Malachi 2:4–6)

Descendants

Levi had three sons; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, and one daughter; Jochebed. According to the Book of Exodus, Levi lived to be 137 years old.

The most famous descendant of Levi was Moses, who received the law from God on Mt. Sinai in the Book of Exodus. His brother, Aaron, became the first Levite High-priest of Israel, known as a Kohen Gadol.

Levi

Melcha

Gershon

Kohath

Merari

Jochebed

Amram

Izhar

Hebron

Uzziel

Miriam

Aaron

Moses

See also

• Levite
• Levi (disambiguation)
• List of people by name: Lev

References

• Testament of Levi
• Book of Genesis 34 (Text) & 49:5 (Text)
• Book of Exodus 6:16 (Text)
• Book of Malachi 2:4-6 (Text)