Levi, third son of Jacob and Leah, called his sons together when he knew his death was near. It had been revealed to him that he would die. When they gathered, he told them everything.
"I was born in Haran," Levi began, "and I came with my father to Shechem. I was young, about twenty years of age, when with Simeon I wrought vengeance on Hamor for our sister Dinah" (Genesis 34:25-29).
Then came the vision.
While feeding the flocks in Abel-Maul, the spirit of understanding fell upon Levi. He saw all humanity corrupting its way, unrighteousness building walls, lawlessness enthroned on towers. Grief-stricken for the human race, Levi prayed for deliverance. Sleep fell upon him. He found himself on a high mountain. The heavens opened.
An angel of God spoke: "Levi, enter."
He entered the first heaven and saw a great sea hanging in the void. He passed into a second heaven, far brighter, filled with boundless light. The angel told him: "Marvel not, for you shall see another heaven more brilliant and incomparable." When Levi ascended to the highest place, he would stand near the Lord, become His minister, and declare His mysteries to humanity.
The angel explained the structure of the heavens. The lowest heaven is gloomy because it beholds all the unrighteous deeds of men. It contains fire, snow, and ice prepared for the day of judgment. In the second heaven are the hosts of heavenly armies, ordained to execute vengeance on the spirits of deceit and Beliar. Above them dwell the holy ones. In the highest of all dwells the Great Glory, far above all holiness. Below that are the archangels, who minister and make propitiation to the Lord for the sins of the righteous, offering a sweet-smelling, bloodless offering. Further down are thrones and dominions, forever offering praise to God.
"When the Lord looks upon us," Levi said, "all of us are shaken. The heavens, the earth, and the abysses tremble at the presence of His majesty."
Then the angel opened the gates of heaven, and Levi saw the holy Temple. Upon a throne of glory sat the Most High, who said: "Levi, I have given you the blessings of the priesthood until I come and sojourn in the midst of Israel." The angel brought Levi back to earth, gave him a shield and a sword, and said: "Execute vengeance on Shechem because of Dinah your sister, for the Lord has sent me." Levi destroyed the sons of Hamor. When he asked the angel's name, the angel replied: "I am the angel who intercedes for the nation of Israel, that they may not be utterly smitten."
A second vision followed. At Bethel, after seventy days, Levi saw seven men in white garments. They said: "Arise, put on the robe of the priesthood, the crown of righteousness, the breastplate of understanding, the garment of truth, the plate of faith, the turban of the head, and the ephod of prophecy." One by one, seven angels vested him. The first anointed him with holy oil and gave him the staff of judgment. The second washed him with pure water and fed him bread and wine. The third clothed him in a linen vestment. The fourth girded him with a sash of purple. The fifth gave him a branch of rich olive. The sixth placed a crown on his head. The seventh set upon him a diadem of priesthood and filled his hands with incense.
"Levi, your seed shall be divided into three offices," they declared, "for a sign of the glory of the Lord who is to come." His descendants would include high priests, judges, and scribes. By their mouths the holy place would be guarded.
Isaac, grandfather of Levi, confirmed it all. He taught Levi the law of the priesthood: sacrifices, burnt-offerings, first-fruits, peace-offerings. He warned him especially against the spirit of lust, which would through Levi's descendants pollute the holy place. "Take a wife without blemish while you are young," Isaac counseled. "Before entering the holy place, bathe. When you offer sacrifice, wash. When you finish, wash again."
Levi foresaw a dark future: seventy weeks of priestly corruption, profaning sacrifices, making void the law, persecuting righteous men. The Temple would be laid waste. Israel would be scattered among the nations as captives.
But after the punishment, the priesthood would be renewed. "The Lord shall raise up a new priest," Levi prophesied. "His star shall arise in heaven as of a king, lighting up the light of knowledge as the sun lights the day. He shall shine forth upon the earth, and shall remove all darkness from under heaven. The heavens shall exult in his days, and the earth shall be glad. He shall open the gates of paradise and remove the threatening sword against Adam. He shall give the saints to eat from the Tree of Life. Beliar shall be bound by him, and he shall give power to his children to tread upon evil spirits."
"Choose for yourselves," Levi told his sons, "either the light or the darkness, either the law of the Lord or the works of Beliar." His sons answered before the Lord: "We will walk according to His law."
Levi stretched out his feet on the bed and was gathered to his fathers at a hundred and thirty-seven years. They buried him in Hebron, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.