Levite Zeal

Fun Bible Fact:

The Tribe of Levi were rewarded with their position as God’s priests for their willingness to kill 3,000 Israelites, specifically each man’s own brother, his companion, his neighbor, and apparently his own son.

Exodus 32:27-29

“And he said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Put your sword on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.’” ²⁸ And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell. ²⁹ And Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for the service of the Lord, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day.”

Bonus: Since killing one’s son wasn’t in the first commandment, I have to assume the Levites got carried away in their zeal.