The
Tribe of Levi was one of the
tribes of Israel, traditionally descended from
Levi, son of
Jacob, the patriarch of the Israelites.
Moses and his brother,
Aaron, were both descendants of the Tribe of Levi. When
Joshua led the
Israelites into the land of
Canaan (Joshua 13:33), the Sons of Levi were the only Israelite tribe that received cities but were not allowed to be landowners "because the Lord the God of Israel Himself is their inheritance" (Deuteronomy 18:2). The Tribe of Levi served particular religious duties for the Israelites and had political responsibilities as well. In return, the
landed tribes were expected to give
tithe to the Cohanim, particularly the tithe known as the Maaser Rishon. The
Cohanim were the priests. They performed the work in the Temple. The
Levites who were not Cohanim played music in the Temple or served as guards.