Levites

According to Deuteronomy the Levites were priests who offered sacrifices and passed on the teachings of the law (Deut. 17:18; 33:10). They are scattered round the towns, but in view of the centralization of worship in Jerusalem Levites were invited to join the Zadokite priests descended from Aaron through Zadok, priest to David (2 Sam. 15:24), but always in a subordinate role. They were suspected of dabbling in rural Canaanite rites (Ezek. 44:10–14) and became Temple vergers, musicians, and slaughterers. This was the situation after the Exile and the P tradition in the Pentateuch assigns the distinction even to the time of Moses (Num. 18:2–6). Levites retained their office, supported by tithes, as long as the Temple lasted (until 70 CE). The NT mentions them as accompanying priests to see John the Baptist (John 1:19), as a character in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:32), and Paul's companion Barnabas is said to be a Levite from Cyprus (Acts 4:36).