Exodus 6 18

Exodus 6:18 kjv

And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years.

Exodus 6:18 nkjv

And the sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. And the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred and thirty-three.

Exodus 6:18 niv

The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years.

Exodus 6:18 esv

The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, the years of the life of Kohath being 133 years.

Exodus 6:18 nlt

The descendants of Kohath included Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. (Kohath lived to be 133 years old.)

Exodus 6 verses

Exodus 6 18 Meaning

Exodus 6:18 outlines the immediate descendants of Kohath, one of Levi's three sons, identifying Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel as his offspring. It further specifies Kohath's lifespan as one hundred thirty-three years. This verse is part of a vital genealogy provided to establish the authoritative lineage of Moses and Aaron within the priestly tribe of Levi, thereby validating their divine commission from the Lord at a moment when Israel's faith was wavering under Egyptian oppression. It underpins the structure of God's covenant people and the appointed leadership for the Exodus.

Exodus 6 18 Context

Exodus 6:18 appears within a larger genealogical section (Ex 6:14-27) that serves a critical purpose following God's profound reaffirmation of His covenant promises to Moses in Exodus 6:2-8. The Lord has just powerfully declared His identity as YHWH and His intention to deliver Israel from bondage and bring them into the promised land. Moses, however, feels inadequate (Ex 6:12). This genealogy provides an authoritative list of ancestors for Moses and Aaron, establishing their legitimate lineage within the tribe of Levi, which God had designated for sacred service. By detailing their specific connection to Kohath and Levi, the narrative validates their God-appointed leadership for the task of bringing Israel out of Egypt, thereby bolstering trust in God's plan and His chosen servants. Historically, precise genealogies were crucial for identity, inheritance, and tribal responsibilities, especially within the ancient Near East, solidifying the roles for the Israelites entering a new era under God's guidance. This serves as a literary device to legitimize Moses and Aaron’s future priestly and leadership roles against any potential challenges to their authority within the fledgling nation.

Exodus 6 18 Word analysis

• And the sons of Kohath (וּבְנֵי קְהָת – uvenei Qehat):

  • וּבְנֵי (uvenei): "And the sons of" (or "children of"). Emphasizes the continuation of the family line and the direct paternal descent. Genealogies in ancient cultures were foundational for identity, legal rights, and especially for priestly functions as lineage dictated who could serve.
  • קְהָת (Qehat): Kohath means "assembly" or "gathering." He is one of the three sons of Levi (Gershon, Kohath, Merari), crucial as the ancestral father of the Kohathites, the specific Levitical clan assigned the most sacred task of carrying the Tabernacle's holy furniture (e.g., the Ark of the Covenant, the altar) during the wilderness wanderings. His line produced Moses and Aaron.

• Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel:

  • These are the four direct sons of Kohath.
  • אַהְמְרָם (Amram): "Exalted people" or "their kinsman is exalted." Significantly, he is the father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. His lineage provides the direct ancestral link to the chosen leaders of the Exodus and the High Priesthood.
  • יִצְהָר (Yitzhar): "Oil" or "shining oil." He is the father of Korah (Num 16:1), whose rebellion against Moses and Aaron underscored the sanctity and divine appointment of the priestly office. This subtle connection within the genealogy highlights the contrasting destinies of lineage based on obedience versus rebellion.
  • חֶבְרוֹן (Chevron): "Association" or "bond." His descendants (Hebronites) later formed one of the Kohathite clans (Num 3:27, 1 Chr 26:23), contributing to the Levitical service.
  • עֻזִּיאֵל (Uzziel): "My strength is God." Another progenitor of a Kohathite clan (Uzzielites), serving as part of the Levitical infrastructure.

• and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years (וּשְׁנֵי חַיֵּי קְהָת שֶׁלֹּשׁ וּשְׁלֹשִׁים וּמְאַת שָׁנָה – ushnei chayyei Qehat sh'losh ushloshim um'at shanah):

  • וּשְׁנֵי חַיֵּי (ushnei chayyei): "And the years of the life of." A common phrase in biblical genealogies (e.g., Gen 5) providing chronological data and continuity.
  • קְהָת (Qehat): Kohath again, affirming whose lifespan is recorded.
  • שֶׁלֹּשׁ וּשְׁלֹשׁוּשִׁים וּמְאַת שָׁנָה (sh'losh ushloshim um'at shanah): "One hundred thirty and three years." This precise figure, alongside other lifespans in Exodus 6, is critical for biblical chronologists seeking to calculate the period of the Israelite sojourn in Egypt and other patriarchal periods, contributing to the larger framework of biblical history. It implies that Kohath lived for a substantial portion of Israel's time in Egypt, allowing for generational overlap and cultural continuity before the Exodus.

Words-group analysis:

• "And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel": This section precisely delineates the second generation of Levi's lineage through Kohath, explicitly stating the names of the familial lines that would serve integral functions within the Levitical priesthood and administration. It forms the foundation for understanding the divine order of Israelite service. This listing highlights the genealogical depth, grounding God's chosen leaders in their proper, appointed heritage. It emphasizes divine selection through a structured familial line, contrasting with any chaotic or self-appointed leadership.
• "and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years": This lifespan detail is not merely statistical. It functions as a chronological anchor. Coupled with other patriarchal ages mentioned in Genesis and Exodus, it helps establish the timeline for Israel's prolonged stay in Egypt, spanning generations during which the population greatly multiplied, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham despite the oppressive conditions. It ensures the continuity of the story, showing how generations led directly to the critical moment of the Exodus.

Exodus 6 18 Bonus section

The genealogical structure in Exodus 6, specifically with Kohath's line, highlights a divine pattern of election within election. All Israel is chosen, but within Israel, Levi is set apart; within Levi, Kohath is given preeminence in relation to sacred vessels; and within Kohath's line, Aaron and his sons are chosen for the high priesthood. This hierarchical selection demonstrates God's sovereignty in designating specific roles and responsibilities within His covenant community, a concept carried forward to the New Testament's understanding of different spiritual gifts and ministries within the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12). The careful tracing of lifespans within this genealogy underscores the "covenantal continuity" – God working across generations, often through hidden means, to fulfill His promises, rather than a single dramatic event. It suggests that even during silent or oppressive periods, God's plan is meticulously unfolding. The specificity of the names serves as a historical and polemical anchor, establishing a clear line of authority against any challenges to the legitimacy of the Levitical priesthood or the leadership of Moses and Aaron. It implies that only those from the precise lineage could serve, reflecting the structured nature of true worship God establishes.

Exodus 6 18 Commentary

Exodus 6:18, nestled within a broader genealogical record, serves as a pivotal anchor for the narrative of Israel's deliverance and the establishment of its priestly order. By explicitly listing Kohath's sons—Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel—the text prepares the ground for understanding the legitimate lineage of Moses and Aaron through Amram (as specified in Ex 6:20). This isn't merely a list of names; it’s God’s endorsement of a specific, structured lineage for leadership and sacred service.

The inclusion of Kohath’s age (133 years) highlights chronological precision and continuity. His longevity allowed for overlap with the lives of his grandson Aaron, and perhaps even great-grandson Moses, facilitating the transfer of tribal and covenantal knowledge. It links directly to God's ancient covenant with Abraham, showing how God was working through generations even during the Egyptian bondage. This genealogical legitimacy would have been crucial for the Israelites at a time when faith was tested and doubt arose regarding Moses’s divine commission.

Furthermore, this verse foreshadows the vital role the Kohathites would play in the wilderness. Their direct descendants would be entrusted with the Tabernacle's most holy components—the Ark, the Altars, the Table—carrying them on their shoulders (Num 4:4-15), a unique privilege that reflected their spiritual proximity to God. The very precise naming of each son also sets up the backdrop for later events, such as Korah’s rebellion (a descendant of Izhar) against Moses and Aaron, demonstrating how even within the divinely appointed lineage, rebellion against God's chosen leadership had consequences. Thus, this verse establishes foundational truths about divine appointment, legitimate authority, and the meticulous order through which God governs His people.