Other Etymological Possibilities

Others have discredited the alleged relationship between the Hebrew לֵוִי (lewiy) and the Minaean lw” in favor of alternatives. Cody outlines the three other etymological possibilities for לֵוִי (lewiy) (Cody, A History, 29–32):

1. The verbal root לוה (lwh) (“to be joined”), in the Niphal, could mean “to join oneself.” An example of לוה (lwh) being used in this manner is found Gen 29:34, where Leah proclaims her husband will “cling” to her.

2. לֵוִי (lewiy) could be a derivative from the Arabic lawâ, which means “to turn, twist, wind.” This word does not occur in the Hebrew Bible, but it is possibly part of the root לִוְיָה (liwyah) (“Leviathan”).

3. It could be related to the Hiphil form of לוה (lwh), which means “to borrow/lend.”

Blenkinsopp states that Levi is the “most basic of the priestly eponyms” (Blenkinsopp, Sage, Priest, Prophet, 85). He adds that the requirement of Levitical descent for Israelite priests appears to be quite ancient. The designation of Levi as the prototypical priest is unclear, particularly with regard to linking one’s origin and importance with Levitical descent (Blenkinsopp, Sage, Priest, Prophet, 85).