New Testament Basic Scripture References

The Levites.

The Levites were very prominent in the early nation, with Moses and Aaron. following the failure of Aaron, when Moses was with God on the mountain, and Aaron created the golden calf,, Moses used the Levi tribe to punish the rest of the Israelites who took part in the apostasy. Over the years the tribe of Levi has served God as minister for the tabernacle, its basic construction and the building of it, as they traveled for 40 years in the desert.
They were forbidden to serve as priests. This tribe was separated from the rest of the nation and camped around the tabernacle as apparently protection for the tribes from the wrath of God. However they were very much in danger when they were building the tabernacle, not to touch certain parts, only the priests were permitted, or God would react.
This tribe was used as an auxiliary ministry to the priests, especially in the care of the tabernacle. The three tribes of the Levi were given specific jobs to do associated with the tabernacle. Their service was from about 25 years old until the fiftieth year when they went in to a retirement mode with much more limited duties.
As part of the plan of God no Levi owned land or inheritance, they were supported by the tithes collected from the rest of the tribes. Though some cities were set aside for them and the land used by them around the city, they did not own any land.

Over the years the responsibility has risen, serving as judges in certain cases, regulating Lepers, guarding the books of the Law and assisting the priests in their duties. The family of Kohath of the Levi tribe was where the high priest came from, the eldest representative was consecrated as the same of the other priests and shared in their duties, which included the Day of Atonement.
Over the years the Levites became very lax in their duties until the period when under Nebuchadnezzar and the period in Babylon's life as punishment for all the tribes of Israel. After the 70 years under the Babylonian rules on a few Levites returned to Jerusalem and though there was some change in attitude by the time of Jesus the general duties still existed and the difference between a priest and a Levite were still present.
It is interesting to note that Barnabas the missionary was actually a Levite, Acts 4:36