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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 4:2 "Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/4-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/04_Num_04_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 4:2 - The Duties of the Kohathites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families," /><script type="application/javascript" 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href="/bsb/numbers/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Record the names of the members of the clans and families of the Kohathite division of the tribe of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their clans and their fathers’ houses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the children of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ house,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Take a census of the descendants of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ households,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Take a census of the descendants of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers&#8217 households,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Take a census of the descendants of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ households,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Take a census of the descendants of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ households,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families (clans), by their fathers’ households,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Among the Levites, take a census of the Kohathites by their clans and their ancestral families,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Among the Levites, take a census of the Kohathites by their clans and their ancestral houses, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers' houses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers' houses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Take a census of the Levites who are descended from Kohath. List them by families and households.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />to take a census of the Levite clan of Kohath by subclans and families, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Take a census of the descendants of Kohath from among the descendants of Levi according to their tribes and ancestral houses <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Take a census of the Kohathites from among the Levites, by their families and by their clans,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers' houses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Take a census of the sons of Kohath from the midst of the sons of Levi, by their families, by the house of their fathers;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Take up the sum of the sons of Kohath from the midst of the sons of Levi, by their families, by the house of their fathers;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Take the head of the sons of Kohath from the midst of the sons of Levi, according to their families, according to the house of their fathers:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Take the sum of the sons of Caath from the midst of the Levites, by their houses and families. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“Take a total of the sons of Kohath from the midst of the Levites, by their houses and families,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Take a census among the Levites of the Kohathites, by clans and ancestral houses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Take a census of the Kohathites separate from the other Levites, by their clans and their ancestral houses,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />“Take an accounting of the sons of Qahath from within the sons of Levi for their families for the house of their fathers.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers' houses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Take the sum of the children of Caath from the midst of the sons of Levi, after their families, according to the houses of their fathers' households;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/4-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=1057" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/4.htm">The Duties of the Kohathites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: nā·śō (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">“Take</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rōš (N-msc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">a census</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6955.htm" title="6955: qə·hāṯ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Levi. From an unused root meaning to ally oneself; allied; Kehath, an Israelite.">of the Kohathites</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: mit·tō·wḵ (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">among</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3878.htm" title="3878: lê·wî (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him. From lavah; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob.">the Levites</a> <a href="/hebrew/4940.htm" title="4940: lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām (Prep-l:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- From shaphah; a family, i.e. Circle of relatives; figuratively, a class, a species or sort; by extens. A tribe or people.">by their clans</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·ṯām (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">and families,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: lə·ḇêṯ (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house."></a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/6-16.htm">Exodus 6:16-19</a></span><br />These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years. / The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, by their clans. / The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">1 Chronicles 23:3-6</a></span><br />The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000. / “Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges, / 4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">1 Chronicles 23:24-32</a></span><br />These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD. / For David had said, “The LORD, the God of Israel, has given rest to His people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever. / So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/24-1.htm">1 Chronicles 24:1-19</a></span><br />These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. / But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. / With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-48.htm">1 Chronicles 6:48-49</a></span><br />Their fellow Levites were assigned to every kind of service of the tabernacle, the house of God. / But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the Most Holy Place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/9-10.htm">1 Chronicles 9:10-13</a></span><br />From the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin; / Azariah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the chief official of God’s temple; / Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah; Maasai son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/9-19.htm">1 Chronicles 9:19-22</a></span><br />Shallum son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his relatives from the Korahites were assigned to guard the thresholds of the Tent, just as their fathers had been assigned to guard the entrance to the dwelling of the LORD. / In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar had been in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD was with him. / Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">1 Chronicles 15:2</a></span><br />Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/15-12.htm">1 Chronicles 15:12-15</a></span><br />And he said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. / It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.” / So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/29-11.htm">2 Chronicles 29:11</a></span><br />Now, my sons, do not be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, to minister before Him, and to burn incense.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/31-2.htm">2 Chronicles 31:2</a></span><br />Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/12-44.htm">Nehemiah 12:44-47</a></span><br />And on that same day men were appointed over the rooms that housed the supplies, contributions, firstfruits, and tithes. The portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites were gathered into these storerooms from the fields of the villages, because Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who were serving. / They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, along with the singers and gatekeepers, as David and his son Solomon had prescribed. / For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-5.htm">Hebrews 7:5</a></span><br />Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-6.htm">Hebrews 9:6-10</a></span><br />When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. / By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-21.htm">Hebrews 9:21-22</a></span><br />In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship. / According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/3-19.htm">Numbers 3:19,27</a></b></br> And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/37-21.htm">Branch</a> <a href="/numbers/1-49.htm">Census</a> <a href="/numbers/3-39.htm">Clans</a> <a href="/numbers/1-42.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/numbers/3-39.htm">Families</a> <a href="/numbers/3-35.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/numbers/3-35.htm">House</a> <a href="/numbers/3-35.htm">Households</a> <a href="/numbers/3-20.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/numbers/3-29.htm">Kohath</a> <a href="/numbers/3-30.htm">Kohathite</a> <a href="/numbers/3-17.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/numbers/3-12.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/numbers/3-43.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/3-39.htm">Order</a> <a href="/numbers/1-49.htm">Sum</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/13-23.htm">Branch</a> <a href="/numbers/4-22.htm">Census</a> <a href="/numbers/4-18.htm">Clans</a> <a href="/numbers/4-4.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/numbers/4-18.htm">Families</a> <a href="/numbers/4-22.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/numbers/4-22.htm">House</a> <a href="/numbers/4-22.htm">Households</a> <a href="/numbers/4-22.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/numbers/4-4.htm">Kohath</a> <a href="/numbers/4-18.htm">Kohathite</a> <a href="/numbers/16-1.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/numbers/4-18.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/numbers/4-22.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/4-22.htm">Order</a> <a href="/numbers/4-22.htm">Sum</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-1.htm">The age at which the Levites were to serve, and the duration of the service</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-4.htm">The duty of the Kohathites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-16.htm">The charge of Eleazar</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-17.htm">The office of the priests</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-21.htm">The duty of the Gershonites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-29.htm">Of the Merarites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-34.htm">The number of the Kohathites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-38.htm">Of the Gershonites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">42. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/4-42.htm">And of the Merarites</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The Levites were set apart for the service of the Tabernacle, and the Kohathites had the specific duty of caring for the most sacred objects within it. This census was a way to organize and prepare them for their responsibilities. The act of taking a census in the Bible often signifies preparation for a task or journey, as seen in other instances such as the census in the Book of Numbers for the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land.<p><b>among the Levites</b><br>The Levites were the tribe set apart for religious duties and service to God. They did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes of Israel but were given cities scattered throughout the land. Their role was crucial in maintaining the spiritual life of the nation. The Levites' service foreshadows the priesthood of all believers in the New Testament, where every Christian is called to serve God in various capacities.<p><b>by their clans and families</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the importance of family and clan structure within the Israelite community. Each clan and family had specific roles and responsibilities, and this organization ensured that duties were carried out efficiently. The family unit was central to Israelite society, reflecting the broader covenant relationship between God and His people. This structure also points to the order and organization within the body of Christ, where each member has a unique role to play in the functioning of the church.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/kohathites.htm">Kohathites</a></b><br>A clan within the tribe of Levi, specifically tasked with the care of the most sacred objects of the tabernacle. They were one of the three main divisions of the Levites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sons_of_levi.htm">Sons of Levi</a></b><br>The descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. The Levites were set apart for religious duties and service in the tabernacle.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/census.htm">Census</a></b><br>A counting or numbering of people, often for organizational or military purposes. In this context, it was for the purpose of assigning duties related to the tabernacle.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/clans_and_families.htm">Clans and Families</a></b><br>The subdivisions within the tribe of Levi, indicating the importance of family lineage and structure in the organization of Israelite society.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/tabernacle.htm">Tabernacle</a></b><br>The portable dwelling place for the divine presence that the Israelites carried with them during their journey through the wilderness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_order_and_structure.htm">The Importance of Order and Structure</a></b><br>God values order and structure in worship and service. The census of the Kohathites reflects the need for organized service in the community of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/sacred_responsibilities.htm">Sacred Responsibilities</a></b><br>The Kohathites were entrusted with the most sacred objects, teaching us the importance of reverence and responsibility in handling the things of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_and_community_roles.htm">Family and Community Roles</a></b><br>Each family and clan had specific roles, highlighting the importance of understanding and fulfilling our God-given roles within the church and community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_service.htm">Faithfulness in Service</a></b><br>The Kohathites' duties required diligence and faithfulness, reminding us to be faithful in whatever tasks God assigns to us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_history_science_confirm_tabernacle_manpower.htm">Numbers 4 - Given the large census numbers in previous chapters, is there any historical or scientific basis to confirm the vast manpower needed for these Tabernacle tasks?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_exclude_levites_in_numbers_1_47-53.htm">What rationale is given for excluding Levites from the census in Numbers 1:47-53, and how does this affect the overall population count?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_non-levites_handle_the_ark.htm">In 1 Chronicles 15:2, where David insists only the Levites may carry the Ark, how do we reconcile this claim with any instances where non-Levites handled it or transported it in other texts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_levites_replace_firstborns.htm">If the Levites replaced all Israel's firstborn in worship (Numbers 8:16-18), how does this reconcile with earlier promises safeguarding the special status of firstborns?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>IV.</span><p>(2) <span class= "bld">Of the sons of Kohath . . . --</span>Kohath appears to have been the second son of Levi (<a href="/numbers/3-17.htm" title="And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.">Numbers 3:17</a>), but the Kohathites here stand first because Moses and Aaron belonged to them, and it was their office to bear the Ark.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Take the sum of the sons of Kohath.</span> The Levites having been separated from the other tribes, the Kohathites are now to be separated from amongst the other Levites for the most honourable and sacred duties. To them the preference was given presumably because the priests were Kohathites. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/4-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Take a census</span><br /><span class="heb">נָשֹׂ֗א</span> <span class="translit">(nā·śō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Kohathites</span><br /><span class="heb">קְהָ֔ת</span> <span class="translit">(qə·hāṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6955.htm">Strong's 6955: </a> </span><span class="str2">Kohath -- a son of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among</span><br /><span class="heb">מִתּ֖וֹךְ</span> <span class="translit">(mit·tō·wḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bisection, the centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Levites</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵוִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(lê·wî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendant of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by their clans</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4940.htm">Strong's 4940: </a> </span><span class="str2">A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and families,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבֹתָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/4-2.htm">OT Law: Numbers 4:2 Take a census of the sons (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/4-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 4:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 4:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/4-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 4:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 4:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>