Testament of Levi

The "Testament of Levi" is a pseudepigraphal work, meaning it is a piece of biblical literature that falsely attributes authorship to a biblical character. Specifically, it purports to be the last words of Levi, one of the 12 sons of Jacob and the traditional ancestor of the priestly tribe of Levi.123

This work is not included in any biblical canon. It contains moral exhortations, autobiographical elements, and prophecies, often with apocalyptic themes, based on the supposed actions of Levi. The "Testament of Levi" is believed to be a Jewish work from the late 2nd century AD, with some Christian additions. Fragments of its original Semitic versions have been found among the Dead Sea Scrolls.134