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לֵוִיִּי

𐤋𐤅𐤉𐤉

Leviyi

H3881 noun

SILEX Entry

Root לוי to be joined, to belong (if linked to לוה; otherwise, used as proper name)

Definition

A member of the tribe or lineage of Levi, one of the twelve tribes traditionally descending from Levi, son of Jacob/Israel. The term specifically marks tribal or genealogical affiliation, sometimes with implications of cultic/service roles, particularly in reference to those assigned non-priestly service in the sanctuary/temple; in later contexts, it may be used for persons occupying specific liturgical offices, but primarily denotes lineage.

Semantic Range

descendant of Levi, member of the tribe of Levi, Levite (tribal/ethnic sense), person assigned to non-priestly sacred service, liturgical functionary (in later texts)

Root / Etymology

From the root לוי (Levi), the name of the third son of Jacob and Leah. The patronymic suffix -י places this derivation in the category of 'descendant of Levi.' The root meaning of לוי is uncertain, though some propose associations with 'to join' (לוה), but the biblical use is strictly as a proper name and its tribal application.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term לֵוִיִּי begins as a tribal/patrilineal marker for descendants of Levi in the Israelite tribal system (patriarchal/monarchic periods). In the Torah and early Prophets (e.g., Deut 18), 'Levite' distinguishes this group from both priestly descendants of Aaron and from ordinary Israelites. The primary role of Levites is in sanctuary service (assisting priests, handling sacred objects, singing, guarding, etc.), but they are not the same as Aaronid priests. This distinction is particularly highlighted in later biblical sources (Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah), where the Levitical class becomes increasingly associated with cultic function. The English term 'Levite' reflects the Hebrew, but in later English Bibles, especially in the New Testament, 'Jew' is sometimes used for all Judeans/descendants of Jacob, which obscures earlier tribal distinctions. The term לֵוִיִּי is not a religious identity marker analogous to later uses of 'Jew' or 'Judean,' but a tribal/ethnic designation within ancient Israelite society.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or לֵוִי; patronymically from לֵוִי; a Levite or descendant of Levi; Leviite.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

לוי (l-w-y) — to be joined, to belong; Levi (proper name)

Word Forms

12 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3881-03 הַ/לְוִיִּ֖ם haleviyim HTd/Ngmpa the Levites the Levites 147
H3881-11 וְ/הַ/לְוִיִּ֖ם vehaleviyim HC/Td/Ngmpa and the Levites and the Levites 58
H3881-05 לַ/לְוִיִּֽם laleviyim HRd/Ngmpa to the Levites to the Levite-descendants 34
H3881-02 הַ/לֵּוִ֔י halevi HTd/Ngmsa the Levite the Levite 21
H3881-12 וְ/לַ֨/לְוִיִּ֔ם velaleviyim HC/Rd/Ngmpa and to the Levites and to the Levites 9
H3881-10 וְ/הַ/לֵּוִי֙ vehalevi HC/Td/Ngmsa and the Levite and the Levite 6
H3881-07 לֵוִ֗י levi HNp a Levite Joined-One 5
H3881-04 לַ/לֵּוִ֗י lalevi HRd/Ngmsa to the Levite to the Levite 2
H3881-01 בַּ/לְוִיִּֽם baleviyim HRd/Ngmpa among-the-Levites in the Levites 1
H3881-09 וּ/מֵֽ/הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם umehaleviyim HC/R/Td/Ngmpa and some of the Levites and from the Levites 1

Occurrences in Scripture

286 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3881-02 Exodus 4:14 הַ/לֵּוִ֔י halevi HTd/Ngmsa the Levite the Levite
H3881-03 Exodus 6:25 הַ/לְוִיִּ֖ם haleviyim HTd/Ngmpa the Levites the Levites
H3881-03 Exodus 38:21 הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם haleviyim HTd/Ngmpa the Levites the Levites
H3881-03 Leviticus 25:32 הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם haleviyim HTd/Ngmpa of the Levites the Levites
H3881-05 Leviticus 25:32 לַ/לְוִיִּֽם laleviyim HRd/Ngmpa for the Levites to the Levite-descendants
H3881-03 Leviticus 25:33 הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם haleviyim HTd/Ngmpa the Levites the Levites
H3881-03 Leviticus 25:33 הַ/לְוִיִּ֗ם haleviyim-2 HTd/Ngmpa of the Levites the Levites
H3881-11 Numbers 1:47 וְ/הַ/לְוִיִּ֖ם vehaleviyim HC/Td/Ngmpa the Levites and the Levites
H3881-03 Numbers 1:50 הַ/לְוִיִּם֩ haleviyim HTd/Ngmpa the-Levites the Levites
H3881-03 Numbers 1:51 הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם haleviyim HTd/Ngmpa the Levites the Levites
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