Was Samuel a Levite?
How is it that Samuel was able to work in the Tabernacle? Wasn’t the Tabernacle work reserved for Levites? Samuel was born in Ephraim, so wouldn’t that disqualify him from service? These are some significant questions that readers of 1 Samuel often think about.
The book of 1 Samuel opens up by talking about “a certain man of Rammathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah” (1 Sam 1:1). Elkanah is married to two wives, one of whom is Hannah. Although barren, Hannah prays for a child, and the Lord answers her prayer. This child is Samuel!
After giving birth, Hannah names her son Samuel, and dedicates him to tabernacle service with Eli (1 Sam 1:28). Samuel stays with Eli and serves the Lord (cf. 1 Sam 2:11, 18). Throughout the story, it is obvious that Samuel is ministering in the tabernacle (cf. 1 Sam 3:3).
This could be a problem. According to Numbers 4, only the Levites have the privilege of serving in the tabernacle. Specifically, the sons of Kohath were tasked with doing the work in the tabernacle (Num 4:2-4). Numbers 18 also seems pretty clear that non-Levites were not allowed in the service of the tabernacle. In fact, Numbers 18:7 says “any outsider who comes near shall be put to death.” How is it that Samuel has the opportunity to work in the tabernacle with Eli the priest, though he is apparently from Ephraim and a descendant of Elkanah (1 Sam 1:1)?
Tracing the Lineage of Samuel
As always, paying attention to detail is important and helps us think through the issue. The tribe of Levi had no land of their own, so they were allotted cities out of the other tribes. We find in Joshua 21:20, that the Kohathite clan of the Levites was given cities from the land belonging to Ephraim (cf. Josh 21:5). Later in Joshua 24:33 we read that Phinehas himself (Aaron’s grandson) dwelled in the hill country of Ephraim.
By knowing Israel’s history, and the tribal allotments, it is no surprise that Samuel’s heritage is traceable to the Levites after all. In fact, according to Joshua 21, he is likely related to the Kohathites specifically. Furthermore, this theory is backed up by 1 Chronicles 6:28 which tells us that Samuel was from the line of Levi (cf. Psalm 99:6).
All in all, the Bible’s details match up precisely with what we would expect. Samuel was not some rogue servant in the tabernacle. He belonged there as a Levite. And God would use him in many great ways in the days ahead.
The Intelligence of Hannah’s Vow
When we understand these details, we are sensitive to Hannah’s knowledge of God’s plan for Israel. Hannah didn’t just dedicate Samuel to tabernacle service on a whim. She was not compelled by personal desire alone. Rather, it seems she understood what Samuel could do best in God’s plan given his family lineage. She understood that she could dedicate Samuel to God in service of the Tabernacle. She was not only driven by emotions, but she intelligently understood what role her son could play in service of the God of Israel.
Peter Goeman
Peter serves at Shepherd's Theological Seminary in Cary, NC as the professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages. He loves studying the Bible and helping others understand it. He also runs The Bible Sojourner podcast and Youtube channel.
11 Comments
Stephanie
I’m preparing a devotional for women on Hannah’s faithfulness to God, the beauty of giving back to God the gifts that He gives us, and ultimately how He is glorified through that. In my study, the question of the Levitical priesthood came up in my mind, and your explanation and Scripture references have answered my question thoroughly. I also appreciate the section on The Intelligence of Hannah’s Vow. Thank you, Peter!
Peter Goeman
So glad to hear you found it helpful Stephanie. I’m praying your devotional is used by God to direct the hearts of women to Him. Blessings!
Philip Palmer
Been thinking about Samuel’s priestly heritage, appreciated the resourse and the comments, has helped firm up my understanding that Samuel was a Levite, of the line of Aaron. I recently read in Luke 1:5 that John the Baptist’s faher, the priest Zacharias was of the division of Abijah. One of Samuel’s sons had that name. 1 Sam 8:2
Peter Goeman
That’s a great connection, Philip. Thanks for noting that. It was often common to recycle family names that way. Appreciate you reading!
William Pellow
Nu. 4:3,4 says that the descendants of Kohath (of which Samuel was one–thank you for your texts for that) were to serve only “from thirty years and upward, even to fifty years old” and Samuel was much younger than that. Was it that Samuel was not performing the same services that the older descendants of Kohath were doing (Nu. 4:5-20)? Could other Kohathites work as did Samuel in other capacities until they reached age 30 or more? I see no other example of that.
Peter Goeman
That’s a good question, William. I think two observations could be helpful: (1) Samuel was a bit unique and special and had a specialized apprenticeship role to Eli (helping him, but not handling things himself), and (2) it seems he was not functioning as priest or in official capacities until later in life (no mention of offering sacrifices or anything like that). So, I think either of those reasons could be explanations for why Samuel doesn’t quite seem to match the 30-50 year age range. It might be easier if we had more insight into what he was doing in the Tent of Meeting and what his job was. Conceivably though, since Eli was essentially blind later on in Samuel, Eli must have relied heavily on Samuel to be his assistant.
Alemayehu Mekuria
Thanks, Professor I am learning. God bless you
Peter Goeman
Praise God!
Robin
I’m curious to hear why you believe Hannah promised Samuel to the Lord referencing the Nazarite Vow. It’s clear his lineage gave him access to the priesthood so why invoke the Nazarite Vow in addition?
Greg Smith
I am going to suggest a different possibility. That which opens the womb was dedicated to the Lord, whether animal or human. In the case of animals, they were sacrificed. In the case of humans, they were redeemed with silver. Is it possible that Elkanah and Hannah never paid this price of redemption and instead literally dedicated Samuel to the Lord and gave him up at the tabernacle? He became the Lord’s and thus was incorporated into the tribe of Levi, the tribe the Lord had reserved for himself.
Peter Goeman
That’s an interesting take–thanks for sharing! I don’t see evidence of that in the text. Plus, Samuel wasn’t the firstborn of the family, just the firstborn of Hannah. Plus, 1 Chron 6:28 seems to seal the deal that Samuel was a Levite.