Levite

A Levite is a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In the Hebrew Bible, Levitical status denotes a hereditary group set apart for religious service and support of the sanctuary.

In biblical times, the Levites assisted the Priests (Kohanim), who were descended from Aaron. While all Kohanim are Levites, not all Levites are priests. The Levites carried, guarded, and served in the Tabernacle and, later, in the Temple in Jerusalem. They performed roles such as temple musicians, gatekeepers, and assistants in various ceremonial duties, with specific family lines (such as Gershon, Kohath, and Merari) assigned to different tasks during the portable tabernacle period and its successors.

When the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, the Levites did not receive a single territorial inheritance. Instead, they were allotted 48 cities within the territories of the other tribes, with surrounding pasturelands for their flocks and livelihoods. Six of these cities were designated as cities of refuge in certain biblical passages. The Levites were sustained through tithes and offerings provided by the other Israelite tribes.

After the destruction of the Second Temple, the Levitical priesthood ceased to function as it did in antiquity. In Jewish practice, Levitical status remains a traditional and ceremonial designation in liturgy and community life, including certain honors in synagogue services for those identified as Levites.

In modern usage, “Levite” often denotes someone claiming Levi descent. Many Jews with surnames such as Levi or Levy trace their ancestry to the Levites, though genealogical verification is not always possible.