Numbers 3:19

The Numbering of the Levites · Numbers 3:14–20
Read Numbers 3

Translations

Modern
The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
Traditional
And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
Literal
And the sons of Kohath, by their clans: Amram and Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.
Latin
Filii Caath: Amram et Jesaar, Hebron et Oziel.

Original

Hebrew
English
The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

Notes

  • This first phase of a two-part registration of the tribe of Levi summarized each family's special duties. 4:1–33 describes this in more detail (see 4:34–49 for the second phase). This count did not relate to military duties, so it included male Levites from the age of one month (3:40–41).

  • Three family groups descend from the three sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. These clans, often called the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites, later inherited the "cities of refuge" (Joshua 21). They also had various important roles in the Jerusalem temple (2 Chronicles 29:3–17).

Israel's priests and Levites had duties like moving, assembling, protecting, and maintaining the Tent of Meeting. The way God organized the tribes highlighted his concern for these priestly tasks.

People

Amram: Father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam Hebron: Son of Kohath, grandson of Levi Izhar: Son of Kohath, grandson of Levi; father of Korah Kohath: Son of Levi; Levite clan ancestor Uzziel: Son of Kohath, uncle of Moses and Aaron

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Census Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Deuteronomy, Book of Genealogy Gershon, Gershonites Hebron (Person) Izehar, Izeharites Izhar Kohath, Kohathites Merari, Merarite Numbers, Book of Tabernacle Uzziel

Topics

Amram: Father of Moses: Head of One of the Branches of Levites Census: The Numbering of Israel by Moses Gershon: Son of Levi Hebron: Son of Kohath Kohath: Father of the Kohathites, One of the Divisions (Shifts) of the Levites Levites: Enrollment of, at Mount Sinai Levites: Gershonites and Their Duties The Levites: Families, As Numbered of Kohath