t12papocrypha
Testament of Levi 11
Levi records the births of his four children across the span of his life, noting the meanings of each name as prophetic markers. Gersham speaks sojourning and second rank; Kohath, born toward the east, appears in vision standing in high authority amid the congregation — a signal of the priestly lineage that will descend through him to Moses and Aaron, the Holy Order's future vessels. Merari carries bitterness and early death. Jochebed, born late in Egypt when Levi's reputation stood highest among his brothers, closes the account — she will become the mother of Moses, the great deliverer.
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Therefore, when I took a wife I was twenty-eight years old, and her name was Melcha. And she conceived and bare a son, and she called his name Gersham, for we were sojourners in our land: for Gersham is interpreted sojourning. And I saw concerning him that he would not be in the first rank. And Kohath was born in my thirty-fifth year, towards the east. And I saw in a vision that he was standing on high in the midst of all the congregation. Therefore I called his name Kohath, which meaneth, beginning of majesty and instruction. And thirdly, she bare to me Merari, in the fortieth year of my life; and since his mother bare him with difficulty, she called him Merari, which meaneth my bitterness, because he also died. And Jochebed was born in my sixty-fourth year, in Egypt, for I was renowned then in the midst of my brethren.
