Greek word · G3017

Λευΐ

leui

Levi

The Greek form of the Hebrew name Levi (לֵוִי), after Jacob's third son and the tribe descended from him. In Jesus' day it was a common personal name.

Appears 8 times in 8 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

Λευεί (indecl.) and Λευείς (Rec. -υΐ, -υΐς), genitive Λευεί, accusative -είν, ὁ (Heb. H3878)

Levi;

1. the son of Jacob: Hebrews 7:5, 9, Revelation 7:7.

2. Son of Melchi: Luke 3:24.

3. Son of Simeon: Luke 3:29.

4. Son of Alphæus (cf. Μαθθαῖος): Mark 2:14 (WH, mg., Ἰάκωβον), Luke 5:27, 29.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Mark 2:14

Range of meaning

The Greek form of the Hebrew name Levi (לֵוִי), after Jacob's third son and the tribe descended from him. In Jesus' day it was a common personal name.

Against the English

English versions all keep 'Levi'. The issue is not translation but identity: Matthew 9:9 tells the same story about a man called 'Matthew', and Matthew 10:3 calls him 'Matthew the tax collector'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke 5:27–29 also has 'Levi'. Mark's list of the Twelve (3:16–19) names Matthew and 'James son of Alphaeus' but no Levi. Origen (Against Celsus 1.62) said Levi followed Jesus but was not one of the Twelve. Many later writers identified Levi with Matthew.

From the study of Revelation 7:7

Range of meaning

Levi, Jacob's third son by Leah (Gen 29:34), whose name is linked with 'to be joined'. His tribe was set apart for priestly and temple service and given no territory of its own: 'the LORD is his inheritance' (Deut 10:9).

Against the English

There is no issue with the English. What stands out is that Levi is counted at all.

Used elsewhere in the period

Num 1:47–49: the Levites are not to be counted among the fighting men. Where Levi is left out of tribal lists, Joseph is split into Ephraim and Manasseh to keep the number at twelve (Num 1–2; 26; Josh 13–19). Lists of Jacob's sons do include Levi (Gen 35:23–26; 49). Ezek 48:31 includes a gate named for Levi, as does Rev 21:12 by implication (gates for 'the twelve tribes').

Where it appears

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 2:14 Λευὶν Levi

    As He was walking along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Levi got up and followed Him.

    Here: A common Jewish name, taken from the patriarch Levi. The name alone does not show that this man belonged to the priestly tribe.

Luke · 4

  1. Luke 3:24 Λευὶ of Levi

    the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

  2. Luke 3:29 Λευὶ of Levi

    the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

  3. Luke 5:27 Λευὶν Levi

    After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him,

    Here: A Hebrew name with a Greek ending added. It is the name of Israel's priestly tribe, which is ironic for a man in a trade many held to be unclean. Matthew 9:9 names the same scene's tax collector 'Matthew'.

  4. Luke 5:29 Λευὶς Levi

    Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors was there, along with others who were eating with them.

Hebrews · 2

  1. Hebrews 7:5 Λευὶ of Levi

    Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

  2. Hebrews 7:9 Λευὶ Levi

    And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.

Revelation · 1

  1. Revelation 7:7 Λευὶ of Levi

    from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,

    Here: Jacob's third son by Leah and ancestor of the priestly tribe. Levi had no land of its own and was usually left out of Israel's tribal musters and land lists. Here it is counted in alongside the rest.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.