BDB4370 [H3881]

2. with article הַלֵּוִי as substantive collective the Levites: Exod 6:19; Num 3:20; Num 3:32; Num 26:57 (all P); Num 18:23 (P; charged with service of tabernacle); especially D, Deut 12:12; Deut 12:18; Deut 12:19; Deut 14:27; Deut 14:29; Deut 16:1; Deut 16:14; Deut 26:10; Deut 26:12; Deut 26:13 also 1Chr 24:6; Mal 2:8 (as priestly tribe); ׳שֵׁבָט הַלּ Deut 10:8 tribe of the Levites (set apart for service), compare Josh 13:14; Josh 13:33; 1Chr 23:14 בְּנֵיהַֿלֵּוִי 1Chr 12:27 (van d. H v.1Chr 12:26) sons of the Levites (i.e. of the tribe); so Neh 10:40 (as tithe-collectors); בֵּית הַלֵּוִי Ps 135:20 house (family, tribe) of the Levites.

3. plural לְוִיִּם chiefly Chronicles and P; — always with article ַ˜הלְוִיִּם except suffix לוִיֵּנוּ Neh 10:1 the article is omitted by ᵐ5 ᵑ9 and most in Isa 66:21 always = substantive Levites; —

1.
\ \ a. earlier usage: — as bearing the ark 1Sam 6:15; 2Sam 15:24; Deut 31:25, so (with priests) 1Kgs 8:4 = 2Chr 5:5 (HCT ׳הכהנים הַל; read probably ׳וְהַל as in Kings, ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 compare Öttli VB); also 1 Chronicles is 1Chr 15:2; 1Chr 15:26; 1Chr 15:27; 1Chr 23:26; 2Chr 5:4 (for הכהנים || 1Kgs 8:3).
\ \ b. not distinguished from priests by D: ׳הַכֹּהֲנִים הַל Deut 17:9; Deut 17:18; Deut 18:1; Deut 24:8; Deut 27:9; Josh 3:3; Josh 8:33 (both D; as bearing ark), also Jer 33:18; Jer 33:21 ׅ ׳הַכ ׳(הַל, Ezek 43:19; Ezek 44:15 compare Deut 18:7; Deut 27:14; Jer 33:22 ׳הַל ׳הַכ likewise 2Chr 23:18; 2Chr 30:27 (but read probably ׳וְהַל after ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9, compare Öttli and below)
\ \ c. as tribal designation, Exod 6:25; Num 3:39; Num 4:18; Num 4:46; Josh 21:1 (all P), 1Chr 9:33; 1Chr 9:34; 1Chr 15:12; 2Chr 35:5; Neh 11:15; Neh 11:16; Neh 12:24 with reference to share in land Lev 25:32 (twice in verse); Lev 25:33 (twice in verse) (H), Num 1:47; Num 2:33; Josh 14:3; Josh 14:4; Josh 21:3; Josh 21:4; Josh 21:8; Josh 21:20; Josh 21:27; Josh 21:34; Josh 21:38; Josh 21:39 (all P), Josh 18:7 (D), 1Chr 6:49 compare also 2Chr 11:14.
\ \ d. set apart for service in tabernacle, Exod 38:21; Num 1:50; Num 1:51 (twice in verse); Num 1:53 (twice in verse); Num 2:17; Num 7:5; Num 7:6; Num 8:6 + 18 t. Num 8 (all p), compare 1Chr 6:33; 1Chr 16:4 ministers to Aaron and his sons Num 3:9; Num 8:19; Num 18:6 (P); set apart for ׳י (as redemption for first-born) Num 3:12 (twice in verse) + 7 t. Num 3 (P); with certain perquisites Num 18:24; Num 18:26; Num 18:30 + 9 t. Numbers (P).

2. in Chronicles the tribal idea is in the background, and thought of Levites as official class is prominent:
\ \ a. distinguished from priests ׳וְהַל ׳הַכ 1Chr 9:14 (compare v1Chr 9:10), 1Chr 13:2; 1Chr 15:4; 1Chr 15:11; 1Chr 15:14; 1Chr 23:2; 1Chr 24:6; 1Chr 24:31 + 67 t. Chronicles; also Isa 66:21 (according to Vrss., but dubious), Ezek 44:10; Ezek 45:5 (compare vEzek 45:4), Ezek 48:11; Ezek 48:12; Ezek 48:13; Ezek 48:22.
\ \ b. as porters, 1Chr 9:26; 1Chr 26:17, compare 1Chr 34:9 as in charge of music, 1Chr 15:16; 1Chr 15:17; 1Chr 15:22; 2Chr 5:12; 2Chr 29:25; 2Chr 29:30; 2Chr 34:12; Neh 12:27 yet distinguished from porters and singers, Neh 7:1; Neh 13:5; Neh 13:10 distinguished also from נְתִינִים 1Chr 9:2; Ezra 8:20; Neh 10:29 further (with various official functions) 1Chr 9:31 + 29 t. Chronicles; of groups of individuals, 2Chr 17:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 29:12; 2Chr 34:12; Ezra 2:40 = Neh 7:43; Ezra 8:33; Neh 3:17; Neh 9:5; Neh 10:10; Neh 12:8, also Neh 8:7 (omitted וְ; ᵑ9 BeRy Ryle).
\ \ c. בְּנֵיהַֿלְוִיִּם 1Chr 15:15 (bearing ark), 1Chr 24:30 (tribal designation). — See, on Levites, especially Gf^{Geschichte. d. Stammes} Levi in Me^{Archiv i. 68 ff. 208 ff.} We^{Prol. Cap. iv} RS^{OTJC. 435 f., 2nd ed., 360 f.} Bau^{Priesterthum 50 f.}, 68 f., and often