לֵוִי (le.vi)
le.vi
Levi
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 47 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Levi, meaning "joined to" or "attached," identifies the third son of Jacob and Leah in Genesis 29:34. This etymology reflects Leah’s hope that her husband would now be attached to her after bearing their third child. The name serves as the root for the tribe of Levi, a lineage set apart from the other tribes of Israel.
Levi is the ancestor of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, whose descendants formed the priestly class responsible for the sanctuary service. While the other tribes inherited land, the Levites received no territorial allotment because the Lord Himself was their inheritance, as noted in Deuteronomy 10:9. Their role shifted from general tribal membership to specialized religious duty, a distinction that becomes central in the books of Numbers and Chronicles.
Throughout Scripture, the name Levi anchors the narrative of Israel’s worship structure. It appears frequently in genealogies and census records, such as Exodus 6 and Numbers 3, tracing the lineage that produced Aaron and Moses. The enduring significance of this name lies in its association with sacred service rather than political power or agricultural wealth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Levi carries a quiet promise of connection. It comes from a root meaning "joined" or "attached," first spoken by Leah as she welcomed her third son. In that moment, it was a personal hope for family unity. Yet this simple word grew into the identity of an entire tribe set apart for sacred service.
For believers today, this imagery offers comfort. Just as the Levites were joined to God’s tabernacle and received Him as their inheritance, Christians are described as being grafted into Christ. You do not need to earn your place through status or land. Your standing comes from being attached to the Lord Himself.
This attachment brings purpose. The Levites served in the sanctuary, handling holy things with care. Similarly, you are called to live a life that honors God. It is a gentle reminder that your value is not found in what you own, but in who you belong to.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 47 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Levi34×
- the/ Levite[s]5×
- and/ Levi5×
- to/ Levi1×
- the/ Levites1×
- for/ Levi1×
- and/ of/ Levi1×
- <the>/ Levi1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לֵוִֽי\׃7×
- לֵוִ֔י6×
- לֵוִ֖י5×
- לֵוִ֑י5×
- לֵוִי֙4×
- הַ/לֵּוִ֔י4×
- וְ/לֵוִ֣י2×
- לֵוִי֮1×
- לֵוִי֩1×
- לֵוִי֒1×
- לֵוִ֣י1×
- לֵוִ֜י1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 29:34
She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.
This verse establishes the etymological root of the name, linking it directly to Leah's desire for her husband to be joined to her.
-
Exodus 32:26
then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on Yahweh’s side, come to me!” All the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.
Here the tribe demonstrates its distinct loyalty by gathering to Moses when he calls those on Yahweh’s side, marking a shift toward their priestly role.
-
Deuteronomy 10:8
At that time Yahweh set apart the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, to stand before Yahweh to minister to him, and to bless in his name, to this day.
This passage formalizes the tribe's separation from other tribes, assigning them the duty of bearing the ark and ministering before God.
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Numbers 18:21
“To the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they serve, even the service of the Tent of Meeting.
God provides for the Levites through tithes rather than land, reinforcing that their inheritance is tied to their service in the Tent of Meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Levi mean?
Why were the Levites different from other tribes?
Who are the main descendants of Levi mentioned in Scripture?
Every Occurrence (47 verses across 11 books)
Genesis 6 verses
She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him…
Genesis 34:25On the third day, when they were sore, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword,…
Genesis 34:30Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have troubled me, to make me odious to the inhabitants of the land, among the…
Genesis 35:23The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
Genesis 46:11The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Genesis 49:5“Simeon and Levi are brothers. Their swords are weapons of violence.