New Torrey's Topical Textbook: Rev. R. A. Torrey

Levites, The

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