Levi

Levi (Hebrew: לוי, Lēvī; Greek: Λευί, Lēuī; Latin: Levi; "Name means::joining"), (Born::Abib 2248 AM—Died::2385 AM), was the third son of Jacob and Leah. He is the ancestor of the Levites. The prophet Moses and his brother, Aaron, were descendants of Levi. The Bible states that his lifespan was life span::137 years. The only other brother for whom the Bible gives a definite lifespan is Joseph.

A Display of Anger

Main Article: Dinah

In about {{#show: Dinah|?Raped}}, his sister Dinah strayed from camp near the city of Shalem, in the region of Shechem.(Genesis 33:18 (KJV)) The local prince (also named Shechem) saw her and took her by force. Afterward, the prince was in love with Dinah and asked his father, King Hamor, to negotiate a marriage between him and Dinah.

Hamor approached Jacob and suggested a treaty involving mutual intermarriage. Jacob's sons said that they would accept this, on condition that all the men of the city circumcise themselves. King Hamor agreed to this.

Three days later, Simeon and Levi carried out their actual plan: they attacked the city by night, when the men of the city were still sore from the circumcisions, and killed the men, including Hamor and Shechem. They also took Dinah out of the prince's house and brought her back to camp. They returned with their brothers to plunder the city, capturing wealth, flocks, herds, women & children, and anything else of value.

The next morning, Jacob struck camp and left the region. He rebuked his sons sternly for an act that would risk retaliation and annihilation. Simeon and Levi, unrepentant and defiant, said that the only other choice they had would be to treat Dinah as if she were a harlot. (Genesis 34 )

Entry into Egypt

In Entry into Egypt::Teveth 2298 AM, Levi, together with his father, entered Egypt. He was about 50 years old at the time and had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Death

Levi lived for eighty-seven more years in Egypt, and died in 2385 AM. He is assumed to have had one more child born to him in Egypt: a daughter, Jochebed.

Genealogy

Jacob

Leah

Reuben

Simeon

Levi

Judah

Issachar

Zebulun

Gershon

Kohath

Merari

Jochebed

Amram

Izhar

Hebron

Uzziel

Miriam

Aaron

Moses

Timeline

Landmarks in the Biblical Chronology. Long sojourn aligned with the revised Egyptian Chronology (Egyptian History) as per David Down. Some adjustments for co-regency in the 12th dynasty. Pharaohs of Egypt shown where there is good archaeological evidence to support the synchronism with the Biblical time line.

An approximate timeline showing the Israelite Sojourn and the relationship to the various dynasties of Egypt.

A schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the Egyptian Kingdoms and dynasties and the various phases of Israel as the Israelites grew to be a nation while they were in Egypt and then traveled to the promised land where they were ruled initially by Judges and later by Kings. The nation of Israel became divided into North (Israel) and South (Judah) after Solomon. There was no first intermediate period.

References

• James Ussher, The Annals of the World, Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003, pghh. 120, 153.