The Levites (descendants of Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah) had special assignments in the tabernacle and temple during the period that the law of Moses was in force. They served as substitutes for Israelite firstborn sons (see Num. 3:11–13; 8:16–18) and were consecrated by means of a series of sacred rituals (see Num. 8:5–13). Their cleansing and consecration consisted of the following: one with authority would “sprinkle water of purifying upon them”; they had to shave “all their flesh”; they were required to “wash their clothes”; Israelites “put their hands upon the Levites” (laying on of hands); and the Levites offered a sacrifice to the Lord (see Num. 8:5–15).
The Levites’ service began at the age of twenty-five and continued until the age of fifty (see Num. 8:24–26). They were assigned to serve in weekly courses, and then they returned home for the remainder of the year and maintained regular occupations. Part of the time, the Levites were supported by the tithes of the Israelites (see Num. 18:21, 24). The Levites served as porters (see 1 Chr. 23:2–4), gatekeepers (see 1 Chr. 26:1–19), treasurers (see 1 Chr. 9:26), musicians and members of the choir (see Num. 3:6–9; 1 Chr. 23:5), and assistants to the priests (see 1 Chr. 23:28). They also dismantled, transported, and set up the tabernacle and its furnishings and vessels (see Num. 1:48–54; 4:3–15). Most importantly, the Levites were required “to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary” (Num. 8:19).
Under the Mosaic order, the ancient Levites correspond to deacons and teachers of our day, and the ancient priests correspond to priests of our day: “From the departure of Moses to the coming of Christ, the organized theocracy of Israel was that of the Lesser or Aaronic Priesthood, comprising the office of priest, which was confined to the lineage of Aaron, and the lesser offices of teacher and deacon, which were combined in the Levitical order.”192