Crossword clues for levite
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Levite \Le"vite\ (l[=e]"v[imac]t), n. [L. Levites, Gr. Leyi:`ths, fr. Heb. Levi, one of the sons of Jacob.]
(Bib. Hist.) One of the tribe or family of Levi; a descendant of Levi; esp., one subordinate to the priests (who were of the same tribe) and employed in various duties connected with the tabernacle first, and afterward the temple, such as the care of the building, bringing of wood and other necessaries for the sacrifices, the music of the services, etc.
A priest; -- so called in contempt or ridicule.
Wikipedia
In Jewish tradition, a Levite (, ) is a member of the Israelite Tribe of Levi, descended from Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah.
The Tribe of Levi served particular religious duties for the Israelites and had political responsibilities as well. In return, the landed tribes were expected to give tithe to support the Levites, particularly the tithe known as the 'Maaser Rishon'. The Kohanim were the priests, who performed the work of holiness in the Temple. The Levites who were not Kohanim played music in the Temple or served as guards.
When Joshua led the Israelites into the land of Canaan (Joshua 13:33), the Sons of Levi were the only Israelite tribe that received cities but were not allowed to be landowners "because the Lord the God of Israel Himself is their inheritance" (Deuteronomy 18:2).
Usage examples of "levite".
Again he remembered the conversation with the Levite just before they left the stable: what was gained from dying many deaths, if one alone sufficed?
There was no need to fear that the priests or Levites would touch them: their laws forbade contact with dead bodies.
It was convenient that the Temple had been cleared, for the priests and Levites would never have permitted Christopher and Milner passage beyond the balustrade without an altercation.
In the gateway to the Court of the Priests were four tables of hewn stone on which lay the blood-drained carcasses of a half-dozen lambs and goats, abandoned there when the priests and Levites were driven from the Temple.
The capstone, which was called Ariel by the priests and Levites, was 21 feet square and, like the stone immediately below it, was 7 feet thick.
Jewish priests and Levites at this proclamation and all eyes turned to see how the High Priest would respond.
Soon many of the priests and Levites joined in with the crowds, proclaiming Milner as the promised Elijah who, according to the prophecy, would come before the Messiah.
Some of the other priests and Levites near him immediately followed his lead.
Farther away, 200 to 300 priests and Levites huddled near the High Priest, Chaim Levin, who stood a safe distance away in a tableau of mock defiance toward the men on the steps.
There was a great stirring from the Jewish priests and Levites at this proclamation and all eyes turned to see how the High Priest would respond.
The Levite read madly through his Siddur, the traditional prayer book containing prayers for almost every imaginable occasion.
And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build.
And he told the Levites, the temple servants of Israel, that they should sanctify themselves to the Lord and put the holy ark of the Lord in the house which Solomon the king, the son of David, had built.
The lowest and widest was for the idolators, the middle one was for the people of Israel, and the highest for the twenty thousand Levites who washed and sandpapered, lighted and extinguished the lamps and cleaned the Temple.
The old Sabras and the kibbutzim had risen, and been crushed by the Levites and their ‘peacekeeping’ mercenaries.