Levi

Family: Jacob's family · Role: son of Jacob and Leah · First appears: The Birth Of Jacob's Children

Leah bore Levi as her third son, and his name was given by God. When Jacob selected him as the tenth son for God, Michael presented him to God, who blessed him and appointed the holy things of the Lord for the Levites’ sustenance.

At Shechem, Levi and Simon deceitfully agreed to Hamor and Shechem’s marriage request while asking that Dinah be left alone pending counsel from Isaac. They swore no one in the city would be left alive, killed its males, and took its women, children, and livestock to Jacob. Later, Levi joined Judah and Jacob in victory over the Ninevites; at the Valley of Shechem, he killed Elon with an arrow while Judah fought off Elon’s attackers.

When Levi and Judah stood before Isaac, Isaac blessed Levi and his descendants to serve in the sanctuary and lead Israel. During Esau’s campaign against Jacob, Levi joined Jacob’s sons in defeating Esau’s army and besieging the fugitives on Mount Seir, where they eventually made peace and agreed to pay tribute.