LEVITE, in a general sense, means all the descendants of Levi, among whom were the Jewish priests themselves, who, being descended from Aaron, were likewise of the race of Levi.—In a more particular sense, Levite is used for an order of officers in that church, who were employed in performing the manual service of the temple; such as in fetching wood, water, and other things necessary for the sacrifices; and in singing, and playing upon instruments of music.
The consecration of the Levites was to be performed with the following ceremonies: They were to be sprinkled with the water of expiation, to shave all their flesh, and wash their clothes: they were then to bring two bullocks before the door of the tabernacle, where the whole congregation laid their hands upon the Levites heads: the bullocks were then sacrificed, one for a burnt-offering, and the other for a sin-offering; and,
Levites lastly, they were to be presented to the high-priest, who was to consecrate them to the Lord.
The Levites were subsisted by the tythe of all the corn, fruit and cattle, throughout Israel; a tythe of which tythe they were to give to the priests: they had also 48 cities for their habitation; and while they were actually employed in the service of the temple, they were subsisted out of the daily sacrifices.