Keraia
Numbers 3

Numbers 3:27

The Kohathites · Numbers 3:27–32
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Translations

Modern
From Kohath came the clans of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites; these were the clans of the Kohathites.
Traditional
And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.
Literal
And from Kohath is the family of the Amramite, and the family of the Izharite, and the family of the Hebronite, and the family of the Uzzielite; these were the clans of the Kohathite.
Latin
Cognatio Caath habebit populos Amramitas et Jesaaritas et Hebronitas et Ozielitas. Hæ sunt familiæ Caathitarum recensitæ per nomina sua.

Original

Hebrew
English
From Kohath came the clans of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites; these were the clans of the Kohathites.

Notes

Numbers 3:27–32

Aaron and Moses, sons of Amram, were descendants of Kohath (see Exodus 6:18, 20, 26). They were caretakers of the Most Holy Place and its very holy furnishings (described in Numbers 3–4). The Kohathites were the most respected of the three clans.

Numbers 3:14–39

  • 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).

Numbers 3:1–4:49

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.

Parallels

Numbers 4:1–20 1 Chronicles 23:12–20

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

Amram Amramite Biblical Concept of Law Census Deuteronomy, Book of Genealogy Hebronite Izehar, Izeharites Izhar Izharite Kohath, Kohathites Merari, Merarite Numbers, Book of Tabernacle Uzziel

Topics

Altar of Incense: Carried by Kohathites Amram: Father of Moses: Head of One of the Branches of Levites Census: The Numbering of Israel by Moses Kohath: Father of the Kohathites, One of the Divisions (Shifts) of the Levites Levites: Enrollment of, at Mount Sinai Levites: Functions of had Charge of the Tabernacle in the Encampments and on the March Levites: Place of, in Encampments and the March Levites: The Kohathites, Consisting of the Families of the Amramites, the Izeharites, the Hebronites Levites: The Remaining Families Appointed to Take Charge of the Ark of the Covenant The Levites: Families, As Numbered of Kohath