The Kohanim HaLeviim — 24 Places Where Kohanim Are Called Leviim
The Sages teach that in twenty-four places in Tanach the Kohanim are called Leviim. Understanding this biblical language matters not only for the lineage of the descendants of Ahron, but also for reading passages in which the Torah entrusts Kohanim with instruction, judgment, and determination.
The Kehuna is a defined paternal branch within the Tribe of Levi. The descendants of Ahron were chosen for the priesthood, while the other families of Levi were entrusted with other responsibilities within sacred service.
Scripture can therefore call the Kohanim Leviim: every Kohen belongs to the Tribe of Levi. A Levi who does not descend from Ahron, however, does not become a Kohen merely through his membership in the Tribe of Levi.
This distinction becomes especially important in passages where the expression HaKohanim HaLeviim appears together with an assigned function of instruction or judgment. In such passages, “HaLeviim” identifies the tribal descent of the Kohanim; it need not be read as extending the specifically priestly function to every member of the Tribe of Levi.
INSTRUCTION · JUDGMENT · DETERMINATION
Why the Expression “HaKohanim HaLeviim” Matters
The Torah uses this language in passages describing the role of Kohanim in Torah instruction, judicial clarification, disputes, and matters placed specifically under priestly responsibility.
When a matter of judgment requires clarification, the Torah directs Israel to the Kohanim HaLeviim and to the judge serving in those days. The expression identifies the Kohanim while also stating their place within the Tribe of Levi.
Here the Torah makes the structure particularly clear: those exercising the function are the Kohanim, and they are identified as sons of Levi. By their word matters of dispute and tzaraat are determined.
The same title, HaKohanim HaLeviim, appears when Israel is commanded to follow the instruction given concerning tzaraat.
Read together, these passages preserve a precise structure. The Torah does not erase the distinction between Kohanim and the other families of Levi. Where the function described is priestly, Scripture may call them HaKohanim HaLeviim or HaKohanim Bnei Levi — Kohanim who belong to the Tribe of Levi.
“In Twenty-Four Places the Kohanim Are Called Leviim”
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi teaches in several Talmudic discussions that the Kohanim are called Leviim in twenty-four places in Scripture. One of the clearest examples comes from the prophecy of Yechezkel.
Here there is no uncertainty about whom the verse describes: the sons of Tzadok are a priestly lineage. Nevertheless, Scripture calls them “the Kohanim, the Leviim, sons of Tzadok.”
The passage clearly demonstrates that the title Leviim can apply in Scripture to Kohanim, because the Kohanim themselves descend from Levi.
Several Expressions — One Principle
Scripture does not always use precisely the same formula. The relationship between the Kehuna and the Tribe of Levi appears in several forms.
HaKohanim HaLeviim — Kohanim identified by their membership in the Tribe of Levi.
HaKohanim Bnei Levi — the Kohanim are explicitly described as sons of Levi, while remaining the family of Ahron within Levi.
HaLeviim HaKohanim — the order of the words is reversed, but the same relationship remains.
Additional Key Passages
Beyond the passages concerning instruction and judgment, Scripture repeatedly identifies the Kohanim within Levi in contexts involving Torah, the Ark, and sacred service.
The king’s Torah scroll is connected with the Kohanim HaLeviim.
The Kohanim are situated within the broader Tribe of Levi while still being identified distinctly.
The Kohanim are explicitly identified as sons of Levi in the transmission of the Torah.
The expression appears again in connection with carrying the Ark of the Covenant.
Yirmiyahu uses the title Kohanim HaLeviim in speaking about the continuity of sacred service.
The reference to the seed of Tzadok makes clear that “Leviim” here describes actual Kohanim.
This is the classic verse used to illustrate the teaching of the Sages.
The blessing of the people is likewise attributed to the Kohanim HaLeviim.
How Are the Twenty-Four Places Counted?
The Sages give a clear number: twenty-four places. Later scholars who attempted to identify every one of those passages, however, did not always produce precisely the same list.
The count need not consist exclusively of verses containing the exact phrase HaKohanim HaLeviim. The discussion also includes HaKohanim Bnei Levi, HaLeviim HaKohanim, and passages where the word Levi is understood from context to refer to a Kohen.
It is therefore useful to distinguish the teaching of the Sages that Kohanim are called Leviim in twenty-four places from the later scholarly efforts to identify precisely which passages make up that count.
Can “Levi” by Itself Refer to a Kohen?
In the passage concerning priestly portions in Deuteronomy 18, Scripture uses the words “when the Levi comes” within a context dealing with the service of the Kohanim.
Baal HaTurim and the Rokeach connect this passage with the principle that Kohanim are called Leviim. The Rokeach even records the allusive formulation “וכי יבא הלוי” — “זה הוא כהן”, “this is a Kohen.”
The usage demonstrates that the biblical title Levi can sometimes function as the broader tribal designation that also encompasses the priestly family within it.
Yet “Kohen” and “Levi” Remain Distinct Titles
The fact that Scripture calls Kohanim Leviim does not make the terms Kohen and Levi interchangeable in every context.
The Rambam rules in the laws of vows that one who vows against benefiting from Kohanim may still benefit from Leviim, while one who vows against benefiting from Leviim may still benefit from Kohanim.
The Radvaz explains that although Scripture indeed calls Kohanim Leviim, this is not the ordinary language of people. In common speech, “Kohen” and “Levi” identify distinct groups.
Both principles can therefore stand together: by tribal descent, a Kohen is a Levi; yet by his particular identity and function, a Kohen remains a Kohen.
“And He Shall Purify the Sons of Levi”
In Malachi’s prophecy, when the prophet describes the purification of the sons of Levi and their preparation for sacred service, Radak includes the Kohanim within the expression “sons of Levi.”
Once again we see the same structure: Bnei Levi is the broader tribal family, while the Kohanim — the descendants of Ahron — form the priestly branch within it.
What Does “HaKohanim HaLeviim” Teach Us?
Lineage
The Kohanim are not a tribe separate from Levi. They are the descendants of Ahron within the Tribe of Levi, possessing a defined priestly lineage.
Torah Instruction
When the Torah assigns instruction, judgment, disputes, and tzaraat to the “Kohanim HaLeviim,” the title “Leviim” identifies their tribal origin without dissolving their priestly identity.
Sacred Service
Reading the terminology precisely preserves both the unity of the Tribe of Levi and the particular responsibilities entrusted to the descendants of Ahron.
Sources for Further Study
Principal sources concerning the teaching of the Sages, the biblical terminology, and attempts to identify the twenty-four passages.
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi
Yevamot 86b; Chullin 24b; Tamid 27a — the teaching that in twenty-four places the Kohanim are called Leviim.
Ben Yehoyada
Ben Yehoyada, beginning of Tractate Bekhorot,
discussing the teaching and the count.
View on HebrewBooks
Etz Yehuda
A dedicated discussion of the twenty-four places
and the biblical use of Levi as a title applying to Kohanim.
View on HebrewBooks
Ohel David
Rabbi David Kohen, Ohel David,
vol. I, pp. 110–119.
View on HebrewBooks
HaKohanim HaLeviim
Vilna, 5645 (1885) — a study devoted to the expression “HaKohanim HaLeviim” and the identification of the relevant passages.
Rambam and Radvaz
Mishneh Torah, Laws of Vows 9:23 —
distinguishing biblical usage
from ordinary human speech regarding Kohanim and Leviim.
View the Rambam
Rokeach
Commentary to Deuteronomy, including the discussion of “when the Levi comes” and the count of HaKohanim HaLeviim.
Additional Sources
Yair Netivot to Tamid 27; Sefer HaChinuch, mitzvah 509; Marganita Tava on Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvot, mitzvah 57.
The Kohanim — Sons of Levi Chosen for the Kehuna
Biblical language preserves both sides of the identity: the descendants of Ahron belong to the Tribe of Levi, while at the same time they constitute the priestly family entrusted with service, blessing, Torah instruction, and responsibilities assigned specifically to the Kohanim.
The expression HaKohanim HaLeviim therefore does not blur the identity of the Kohen. It places the Kehuna precisely where it belongs: within the Tribe of Levi, while preserving its own lineage and distinct responsibilities.
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