(Aramaic) corresponding to לִוְיָה; {something attached, i.e. a wreath}; Levite.
Transliteration:Lêvîy
Pronunciation:lay-vee'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term לֵוִי (Lêvîy) `{{H3879}}` is explicitly defined as corresponding to the Hebrew לִוְיָה (livyah) `{{H3880}}`, which carries the core meaning of "something attached" or "a wreath." This etymological root evokes the concept of joining, binding, or being closely connected. While לִוְיָה `{{H3880}}` itself can refer to a physical object like a garland, the Aramaic לֵוִי `{{H3879}}` in its biblical application is almost exclusively used as an ethnonym or a designation for a specific group of people. Thus, its semantic range in the biblical text is quite narrow, primarily referring to a "Levite," a member of the tribe of Levi. The underlying sense of "attachment" remains pertinent to the tribe's identity and function.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic term, לֵוִי (Lêvîy) `{{H3879}}` appears exclusively in the Aramaic sections of the biblical text, specifically within the book of Ezra. Its occurrences consistently refer to the descendants of Levi, the tribe divinely appointed for service in the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
* In [[Ezra 6:16]], the Levites are mentioned alongside the priests and the rest of the returned exiles who joyfully dedicate the rebuilt house of God. Their presence signifies the restoration of proper worship and the re-establishment of the divine order.
* [[Ezra 7:7]] lists the groups who accompanied Ezra from Babylon to Jerusalem, including "the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims." This verse highlights the diverse roles within the Levite community, all essential for the functioning of the Temple.
* [[Ezra 7:13]] records King Artaxerxes' decree, allowing any Israelite, priest, or Levite in his realm who desired to go to Jerusalem to do so with Ezra. This demonstrates the royal recognition of the Levites' importance to the Jewish community and their religious practices.
In all these contexts, לֵוֵי `{{H3879}}` functions identically to its Hebrew counterpart לֵוִי `{{H3878}}`, designating a member of the sacred tribe responsible for religious duties. Its use in Ezra underscores the linguistic environment of the post-exilic period and the continuity of Israel's spiritual heritage despite the intervening exile.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of לֵוִי (Lêvîy) `{{H3879}}` is enriched by its connections to several related Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **לִוְיָה (livyah) `{{H3880}}`**: This Hebrew noun, meaning "wreath" or "something attached," is explicitly given as the correspondent to לֵוִי `{{H3879}}` in its base definition. It provides the etymological link to the concept of attachment.
* **לֵוִי (Levi) `{{H3878}}`**: This is the primary Hebrew proper noun for the patriarch Levi and, by extension, the tribe descended from him. לֵוִי `{{H3879}}` is essentially the Aramaic form used to refer to this same group.
* **לָוָה (lavah) `{{H3867}}`**: This verbal root means "to join," "to attach oneself," or "to accompany." It is the linguistic foundation for the name Levi, famously linked to Leah's statement upon his birth: "Now this time my husband will be joined (יִלָּוֶה - yillaveh) to me" [[Genesis 29:34]].
* **Priesthood and Temple Service**: The Levites were divinely appointed assistants to the priests, responsible for various duties related to the Tabernacle and Temple, including maintaining the sanctuary, transporting holy objects, and teaching the Law. Their very identity was "attached" to the worship life of Israel.
### Theological Significance
The consistent use of לֵוִי (Lêvîy) `{{H3879}}` in Ezra, despite its Aramaic form, carries profound theological significance. It affirms the enduring nature of God's covenant and the divine order for Israel's worship, even after the disruption of exile. The return of the Levites was not merely a demographic event but a crucial step in the spiritual restoration of the community, enabling the resumption of proper sacrifices and Temple rituals.
The name Levi, and by extension the Levites, embodies the theological concept of "attachment" or "joining." This can be understood in several dimensions:
* **Joined to God**: The Levites were uniquely "joined" to Yahweh through their consecrated service, set apart from the other tribes for sacred duties. This dedication symbolized the entire nation's call to be a people "joined" to God.
* **Joined to the Sanctuary**: Their lives and duties were inextricably linked to the physical space of God's dwelling among His people, the Temple. They were the guardians and facilitators of the divine presence.
* **Joined to Israel**: They served as vital intermediaries, assisting the priests, teaching the Law, and maintaining the purity of worship, thereby helping to "join" the people to God through obedience and proper reverence.
The re-establishment of the Levites' role in the post-exilic community, as depicted in Ezra, underscores the importance of dedicated service and the continuation of the divinely ordained priestly and Levitical lines for the spiritual health and identity of the nation. It speaks to God's faithfulness in restoring His people and their institutions of worship.
### Summary
לֵוִי (Lêvîy) `{{H3879}}` is an Aramaic term corresponding to the Hebrew לִוְיָה `{{H3880}}` ("wreath," "something attached") and לֵוִי `{{H3878}}` (the proper name Levi). Its core meaning revolves around the concept of "attachment" or "joining." In the biblical text, it is exclusively used in the Aramaic portions of Ezra (e.g., [[Ezra 6:16]], [[Ezra 7:7]], [[Ezra 7:13]]) to refer to a "Levite," a member of the tribe of Levi. These occurrences highlight the essential role of the Levites in the post-exilic restoration of Temple worship and the re-establishment of the covenant community. Theologically, לֵוִי `{{H3879}}` underscores the profound concept of being "joined" to God and His sacred service, reflecting divine appointment, dedication, and the enduring nature of God's covenant plan for His people's spiritual well-being.
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