Levi
malePatriarchalMeaning: “Joined; attached”
The third son of Jacob and Leah and ancestor of the priestly tribe of Israel — the line of Moses, Aaron, and the Levites.
Biography
Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 29:34), is one of the most consequential of the twelve, for from him descended the priestly tribe of Israel — Moses, Aaron, the Levites, and the whole sacrificial ministry of the tabernacle and temple.
Zeal turned to cruelty
With his brother Simeon, Levi avenged Dinah by slaughtering the men of Shechem (Genesis 34:25–31). Jacob's deathbed words rebuked their violence and foretold that Levi would be "scattered in Israel" (Genesis 49:7).
Scattering turned to honor
That scattering was remarkably transformed: the tribe of Levi received no land of its own but was dispersed among all Israel as priests and teachers — their "scattering" becoming a ministry. Levi lived 137 years (Exodus 6:16), and his line carried the worship of God for over a millennium.
Life Timeline
With Simeon, avenges Dinah at Shechem
Foretold to be scattered in Israel — fulfilled as the priestly tribe
On the Bible timeline
Levi belongs to the The Patriarchs era (c. 2100 – 1800 BC).
- c. 2091 BCThe Call of Abraham
- c. 1898 BCJoseph Sold into Egypt
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Levi
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Levi appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
6 verses in 1 bookGenesis6 verses
Genesis 29:34
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. Levi: that is, Joined
Genesis 34:25
And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
Genesis 34:30
And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
Genesis 35:23
The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
Genesis 46:11
And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Gershon: or, Gershom
Genesis 49:5
Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. instruments: or, their swords are weapons of violence
Frequently asked about Levi
Who was Levi in the Bible?
The third son of Jacob and Leah and ancestor of the priestly tribe of Israel — the line of Moses, Aaron, and the Levites.
What does the name Levi mean?
The name Levi means “Joined; attached”.
What did Levi do in the Bible?
Levi served as patriarch.
Who were Levi's parents?
Levi was the child of Jacob, Leah.
Where does Levi appear in the Bible?
Levi is mentioned 6 times across 1 book: Genesis.
What can we learn from Levi?
The story of Levi touches on themes of jacob, children, tribes of israel, the, vengeance — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Levi's life.
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