Assistants to the Aaronic priests, they exercised an auxiliary ministry, caring for the tabernacle. After the ark was brought to Jerusalem by David their role was re-ordered and extended. They were reconsecrated during the reforms of Josiah and Hezekiah and recommissioned by Ezra and Nehemiah when the Israelites returned from captivity.
The Levites and the care of the tabernacle
The Levites are to transport, erect and guard the tabernacle
The Levites' period of service was between the ages of 25 and 50
Numbers 8:23-26See alsoNumbers 4:1-3Some suggest that the reason for the discrepancy in ages between Numbers chapters 4 and 8 is that the Levites had to serve an apprenticeship for the first five years.
Occasions after the settlement when the Levites transport the ark
