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Testament of Levi

One of the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, presenting the last words of Levi, the third son of Jacob.|||Survives in Greek and Armenian. Fragments found at Qumran (Aramaic Levi Document).|||The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, in their extant form, are a Jewish work, probably of the late 2nd century CE, with Christian interpolations.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||The last words of Levi. Describes his vision of the heavens and the priesthood, and prophesies the coming of the Messiah from his tribe.|||Charles, R. H. The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs. A. & C. Black, 1908.|||Kee, H. C. " Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 1. Doubleday, 1983.|||Testament of Levi — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_of_Levi|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" And Levi said: The Lord will raise up a priest from my tribe, and he will minister before him forever." — Testament of Levi 18:1

Collection: Jewish Pseudepigrapha Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, in their extant form, are a Jewish work, probably of the late 2nd century CE, with Christian interpolations.

Language & Manuscripts

Survives in Greek and Armenian. Fragments found at Qumran (Aramaic Levi Document).

Why It Matters for Study

The last words of Levi. Describes his vision of the heavens and the priesthood, and prophesies the coming of the Messiah from his tribe.

" And Levi said: The Lord will raise up a priest from my tribe, and he will minister before him forever." — Testament of Levi 18:1

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " And Levi said: The Lord will raise up a priest from my tribe, and he will minister before him forever." — Testament of Levi 18:1 " And Levi said: The Lord will raise up a priest from my tribe, and he will minister before him forever." — Testament of Levi 18:1

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Charles, R. H. The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs. A. & C. Black, 1908.
Kee, H. C. " Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 1. Doubleday, 1983.
Testament of Levi — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_of_Levi|Background and scholarly discussion.