What is the difference between a levite and a priest?

Answer 1

A prophet speaks on behalf of God and a Priest represents the people to God. Look in the Old Testament of The Bible - Isaiah found in the book of Isaiah) was a prophet. Aaron was a priest (See Leviticus).

Answer 2

A Levite is a member of the tribe of Levi, while a priest is a religious leader who performs sacred rituals and ceremonies. In Judaism, Levites were tasked with assisting the priests in the Temple and were responsible for maintaining its operations. Priests, on the other hand, had specific duties related to offering sacrifices and ensuring the spiritual well-being of the community.

Answer 3

Every Priest was a Levite, but not every Levite was a priest. In the beginning, God set apart the first born in priestly service. After Moses came down from the mountain, found Israel in sin and said: "Who is on the Lord's side?" there was a change. The tribe of Levi from then on served as priests or were involved in helping the priests or serving in the tabernacle. After Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD, the Jews lost their ability to distinguish the tribes and the Jewish Priesthood as it had been known up to that time ended.

The Levites who were not priests were assigned duties connected with the tabernacle (Num. 3-4). They assisted the priests (Num. 1:50; 3:6, 8; 16:9; 1 Chron. 9:22, 26f; 23:2-4, 28; Ezra 3:8f.), prepare the cereal offerings (1 Chron. 23:28-32), and care for the courts and the chambers of the sanctuary. Later the Levites were involved in interpreting the law and thus functioned as teachers (Neh. 8:7, 9; 2 Chron. 17:7-7; 35:3). The Levites were explicitly permitted to go near the sacred furniture, and this special privilege distinguished them from ordinary Israelites (Num. 8:19; 16:9f.; 18:22f.). By virtue of this responsibility they were charged with the work of the tent of meeting (tabernacle) that included its dismantling, transportation, and reassembling at a new site (Num. 1:48-54; 4:3-15; 18:6). This was a requirement of all Levites between the ages of twenty-five and fifty (Lev. 8:24-26). The Levites were able to approach the sacred furniture only when it was covered (Num 18:3). The Levites were inducted into their role through a series of ceremonies which included the laying on of hands, and a solemn presentation to God (Num 8:5-13). They were supported by a tithe of the people (Lev. 27:32f; Num. 18:21, 24), but a tenth of the tithe was to be given to those who served as priests (Num. 18:26-28).