לֵוָי

Ezra 6:16 וְלֵוָיֵ֜א and Levites the

Then the people of Israel—the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles—celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.

Here: The tribe of Levi's non-priestly members, who assisted in the temple's service. They were few among the returnees: Ezra 2:36–40 counts 4,289 priests but only 74 Levites, apart from singers and gatekeepers.

Ezra 6:18 וְלֵוָיֵא֙ and Levites the

They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.

Here: Members of the tribe of Levi who were not priests. They did the support work of the sanctuary: guarding, carrying, singing, preparing, slaughtering and teaching. The verse treats them as a separate order from the priests.

Ezra 7:13 וְלֵוָיֵ֗א and Levites the

I hereby decree that any volunteers among the Israelites in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may go up with you to Jerusalem.

Here: 'And the Levites', the temple assistants. When Ezra later gathers the group he finds no Levites at first and has to recruit them (8:15–20). That is why the letter names them.

Ezra 7:24 וְ֠לֵוָיֵא and Levites the

And be advised that you have no authority to impose tribute, duty, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.

Here: The Levites, members of the tribe of Levi who were not priests and assisted in temple service. Ezra had trouble recruiting them (8:15–20), so this privilege also served as an incentive.