What Was The Role Of Levites In The Bible

Chapter 6
“The Role of the Levites in the Old Testament”

We have already discussed that music was created by God and that music is very important to Him. In addition, the Bible documents that Jubal was the first person to handle, and one may assume to play, a musical instrument. However, in the Bible, intrinsically linked with music, praise and worship were the Levites. Let’s discuss the role and importance of the Levites within Biblical music ministry.
Who were the Levites?
Levi, meaning “attached”, was the third son of Jacob and Leah:
“Now she [Leah] conceived again, and bare a son; and said, now this time my husband [Jacob] be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi”. (Gen 29:34)
Levi and
They were positioned around the tabernacle where God dwelt, as opposed to joining a particular tribe or camp: “But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of testimony”. (Num 1:53)
They also guarded the purity of Israel’s worship by leading worship (offering the sacrifices in the Temple) and by refusing to partake in any pagan worship. The Levites are characterised for having a strong dislike of pagan worship being mixed with the true worship that Yahweh expected from all Israel; this is clearly seen in the story of the Levites killing those who worshipped the Golden Calf (Exod
In fact, the Temple musicians were chosen from any part of the Levite tribe, for example Asaph was a Gershonite (1 Chron 6:39, 43), Heman was a Kohathite (1 Chron 6:33) and Jeduthun was a Merarite (1 Chron 9:14, 16). However, it was under King David’s rule in Israel that we begin to see the Levites role in music ministry established. When the 12 tribes became settled David numbered the Levites and introduced some changes deciding they were no more to “carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof” but for those aged 20 years and above they were to “wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord…and to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord” (1 Chron 23:26, 28, 30). Their involvement now became more internal within the Tabernacle rather than, apart from Aaron and his sons, focusing on the external elements of carrying the Tabernacle and ensuring its vessels were