# Levi, Levite, Levites, Levitical

## Definition:

Levi was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, or Israel. The term "Levite" refers to a person who is a member of the Israelite tribe whose ancestor was Levi. 

* The Levites were responsible for taking care of the temple and conducting religious rituals, including offering sacrifices and prayers.
* All Jewish priests were Levites, descended from Levi and part of the tribe of Levi. (Not all Levites were priests, however.)
* The Levite priests were set apart and dedicated for the special work of serving God in the temple.
* Two other men named "Levi" were ancestors of Jesus, and their names are in the genealogy in the gospel of Luke.
* Jesus's disciple Matthew was also called Levi.

(See also: [Matthew](../names/matthew.md), [priest](../kt/priest.md), [sacrifice](../other/sacrifice.md), [temple](../kt/temple.md), [twelve tribes of Israel](../other/12tribesofisrael.md))

## Bible References:

* [1 Chronicles 02:1-2](rc://en/tn/help/1ch/02/01)
* [1 Kings 08:3-5](rc://en/tn/help/1ki/08/03)
* [Acts 04:36-37](rc://en/tn/help/act/04/36)
* [Genesis 29:34](rc://en/tn/help/gen/29/34)
* [John 01:19-21](rc://en/tn/help/jhn/01/19)
* [Luke 10:32](rc://en/tn/help/luk/10/32)

## Word Data:

* Strong's: H3878, H3879, H3881, G3017, G3018, G3019, G3020