Levitical

Levitical is an adjective relating to the Tribe of Levi in the Hebrew Bible, and to the religious roles and practices associated with that tribe. The Levites were set apart for service to God, and they played a central part in the worship and ritual life of ancient Israel. The term is frequently used to describe the priesthood, the laws, and the organizational duties connected with Levi’s descendants.

Within the Levitical system, the priestly office came from the line of Aaron, with the Aaronic priests (Kohanim) serving as high priests and performing sacrifices and specific rites. Other Levites assisted in temple service, including duties such as guarding the sanctuary, singing, teaching, and maintaining sacred objects. The term “Levitical” is often used to contrast the Aaronic priesthood with other priesthood concepts found in scripture, such as the Melchizedek priesthood discussed in later texts.

Levitical literature is closely associated with Leviticus, the third book of the Hebrew Bible, which contains laws on sacrifices, ritual purity, holiness, and the calendar of religious observances. Collectively, these regulations have been described as the Levitical code, shaping ancient Israelite worship and informing later Jewish practice.

Levitical cities and support arrangements are also a notable aspect. The Levites did not receive a tribal allotment of land like the other tribes; instead, they were allocated 48 cities, with pastureland around them, and were sustained by tithes and offerings from the rest of Israel. In Christian biblical scholarship, “Levitical” is used to denote the priesthood, practices, and law associated with this period, often in contrast to interpretations of the priesthood to come.