Who was Levi in the Bible?
Two different men in the Bible carry the name Levi: the third son of Jacob, whose descendants became Israel's tribe of priestly servants, and a tax collector whom Jesus called from his booth. Both stories turn on the same surprise — a man with a bad record becomes a servant close to God.
Levi, Third Son of Jacob
Scripture tells us very little about the man himself, and what it does tell is not flattering. He and his brother Simeon took revenge on the city of Shechem after their sister was violated, killing its men by a trick.
Morrish Bible DictionaryThe third son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 29:34). Very little is recorded of Levi: he joined with Simeon in the treacherous and vindictive dealings with Shechem (Genesis 34:25-31). When Jacob blessed his sons, a curse was pronounced on their cruelty, and it is added, "I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel." The above illustrates the righteous government of God, which is in no way set aside by the reward of later faithful conduct, which caused this tribe to be chosen for the Levitical service and the priesthood… It was sovereign grace.
The Curse That Became a Blessing
Jacob's dying words sentenced Levi's family to be broken up among the other tribes. That sentence was carried out — but not in the way the words first sounded.
F. B. HoleIt is of interest to note that in later days the tribe of Levi so acted as to gain a special blessing, and in consequence we are permitted to see how God can turn what was originally a curse into a blessing. The word had been, "I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel" (49:7). They were divided; but it was by Levi being called to special service and scattered throughout all the tribes.
The Turning Point at the Golden Calf
The change came while Israel was worshipping a golden calf at Sinai. Moses stood at the gate of the camp and called for anyone still loyal to God.
Edward DennettWhen there is open apostasy there can be no neutrality. Neutrality when the question is between God and Satan is itself apostasy… And note, moreover, that this cry is raised among those who were the Lord's professing people. They were all Israelites. But now there must be a separation, and the challenge of Moses, "Who is on the Lord's side?" makes everyone show what they are. What was the effect of his summons? Why, that of all the tribes of Israel, Levi only was found faithful.
A Tribe With No Land
From then on the Levites carried the tabernacle and served the priests. They were the one tribe left out of the land settlement.
The Bible TreasuryLevi is dedicated to the service of God, and separated from common Israelites. No inheritance is given to them as to the other tribes. They are the Lord's pensioners. He provides for them out of Israel's abundance. Each tribe gave a portion to the Levites, few cities from those that had less, many from those that had more.
God's Own Verdict on Levi
Centuries later, when the priests of Israel had grown careless, God held up Levi as the standard they had abandoned.
William KellyLevi is purposely introduced, because of his faithfulness at the crisis of the golden calf, in striking contrast with the conduct of the one who should have been the most careful of the Lord's glory, even Aaron the high priest. "My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear with which he feared Me, and was afraid before My name." The Lord looks back to the time when Levi consecrated his service at the cost of every human consideration — no less striking a contrast with his once bitter revenge for his outraged sister.
Levi the Tax Collector
The second Levi appears in the Gospels of Mark and Luke, sitting at a tax booth. He collected money for Rome from his fellow Jews, which made him despised by them. He is the same man known elsewhere by another name.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinThe publican Levi is Matthew, the writer of the Gospel of Matthew. He was a tax-gatherer and as such despised by his own people, because he was serving the hated Roman government. Tax-gatherers and sinners the Son of Man came to call. Levi left all and followed Him.
Commentators note that some have questioned whether Levi and Matthew are one person, but the writers here treat the identification as sound. What Levi did next showed what the call had done in him.
F. B. HoleHe entertained his new-found Master in his house together with a large number of tax collectors and sinners, showing something of the Master's spirit. He exchanged his "sitting at the tax booth" for the giving out of generosity, so that others might sit at his table… He began showing hospitality to his own circle so that they too might meet the One who had won his heart.
Summary
- Two Levis. One is Jacob's third son by Leah, father of Israel's serving tribe; the other is a tax collector called by Jesus, also named Matthew.
- Cursed. Levi's first recorded act is treachery and slaughter at Shechem, and Jacob's dying words sentence his line to be scattered.
- Chosen. That same scattering became the tribe's honour — the curse turned into special service, and the writers call this sovereign grace, not earned reward.
- Consecrated. At the golden calf, when neutrality was impossible, Levi alone answered "Who is on the Lord's side?" — and God's covenant of life and peace was remembered against his old revenge.
- Called. The pattern repeats at a tax booth: a despised man leaves everything, then throws open his house so his friends can meet the One who called him.