Numbers 4 2

Numbers 4:2 kjv

Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,

Numbers 4:2 nkjv

"Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the children of Levi, by their families, by their fathers' house,

Numbers 4:2 niv

"Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families.

Numbers 4:2 esv

"Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their clans and their fathers' houses,

Numbers 4:2 nlt

"Record the names of the members of the clans and families of the Kohathite division of the tribe of Levi.

Numbers 4 verses

Numbers 4 2 Meaning

Numbers 4:2 details a specific command from God to Moses and Aaron to conduct a highly precise census of a particular group within the tribe of Levi: the sons of Kohath. This census was not merely for numerical headcount, but to meticulously register these individuals by their clans and paternal households. The underlying purpose was to identify and prepare them for their unique and most sacred duty within the Israelite wilderness journey – handling and transporting the holy furnishings and vessels of the Tabernacle. This command underscores God's meticulous nature and His demand for order, specificity, and reverence in all matters concerning His worship and the maintenance of His sacred dwelling place among His people.

Numbers 4 2 Context

Numbers chapter 4 falls within the broader narrative of Israel's journey in the wilderness after their deliverance from Egypt. The Book of Numbers itself focuses heavily on divine ordinances, censuses, and the detailed organization of the Israelite camp in preparation for the move towards the promised land. Chapters 1-4 describe various censuses. Chapter 1 counts fighting men for a general military census, and Chapter 2 details the specific tribal camp arrangements around the Tabernacle. Chapter 3 focuses on the selection of the entire tribe of Levi, dedicating them for service to God and assigning them as substitutes for the firstborn. It also provides an initial census of all male Levites.

Chapter 4, however, drills down to specific duties. It outlines the distinct responsibilities of the three major Levitical clans: Kohath, Gershon, and Merari, concerning the handling, transport, and maintenance of the Tabernacle components. Numbers 4:2 specifically initiates the directives for the Kohathites, who were entrusted with the most sacred and holy furnishings (e.g., the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Golden Altar, the Lampstand). Their task required meticulous care and strict adherence to God's instructions due to the inherent holiness and danger associated with these items. The verse sets the stage for defining the age range for service (vs. 3) and the exact responsibilities for these chosen servants. This level of detail highlights the divine blueprint for an orderly community centered on God's presence.

Numbers 4 2 Word analysis

• "Take a census": (Hebrew: Naśō' et-rō'sh - נָשֹׂא אֶת־רֹאשׁ)

  • Literally "lift up the head" or "raise the head." This idiomatic expression denotes conducting an official count or registration.
  • Significance: It's more than a simple numerical count; it implies a specific, purposeful enrollment where each individual is identified and recognized for their distinct purpose or status. In this context, it's for their service in carrying the Tabernacle's holy objects.

• "sons of Kohath": (Hebrew: Bᵊnê Qᵊhāṯ - בְּנֵי קְהָת)

  • Kohath was the second of Levi's three sons (Ex 6:18).
  • Significance: His descendants held the preeminent and most dangerous responsibility among the Levites. They alone were permitted to carry the most sacred furnishings of the Tabernacle, such as the Ark of the Covenant, requiring intense purity and careful adherence to protocol.

• "from among the sons of Levi": (Hebrew: mittôḵ bᵊnê Lēwî - מִתּוֹךְ בְּנֵי לֵוִי)

  • Levi was one of Jacob's sons, and his entire tribe was uniquely consecrated for service to God and His Tabernacle.
  • Significance: This phrase clarifies that the Kohathites were a specialized subgroup within the already divinely designated tribe of Levi. It emphasizes the layered, precise structure of roles and responsibilities within the Tabernacle service, ensuring clarity and preventing overlapping duties.

• "by their clans": (Hebrew: lᵊmišpᵊḥōṯām - לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם)

  • mishpaḥah refers to an extended family or larger clan unit.
  • Significance: The census was to be organized along these pre-existing social and genealogical lines, essential for maintaining tribal purity, accountability, and proper record-keeping for generations, particularly for religious functions requiring specific lineage.

• "and their fathers' houses": (Hebrew: lᵊvêṯ 'ăvōṯām - לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם)

  • beit 'av refers to a paternal household, a smaller unit within the clan.
  • Significance: This instruction demands an even finer level of detail and precision in the census. It ensures that every individual is correctly identified and recorded within their direct paternal line, critical for inheritance, accurate identification, and the proper assignment of the specific sacred duties which were often hereditary.

Words-group Analysis

• "Take a census of the sons of Kohath": This complete phrase sets the immediate and specific divine mandate. It is a direct command, underscoring that the initiative and purpose for this specific counting come directly from God. It identifies the target group as "sons of Kohath," immediately directing attention to their unique and serious responsibilities within the Tabernacle system, emphasizing the precise nature of divine directives.

• "from among the sons of Levi": This qualifying phrase strategically positions the Kohathites within their broader tribal identity. It serves to specify their distinct and higher tier of service. It highlights God's organized plan for His chosen tribe, indicating that even within those set apart for sacred duty (the Levites), there were further defined roles, emphasizing specialized service for maintaining divine order.

• "by their clans and their fathers' houses": This entire phrase specifies the highly detailed methodology for conducting the census. It stresses the paramount importance of lineage, genealogical accuracy, and precise societal organization within ancient Israel, especially concerning sacred service. This meticulous approach ensured proper identification, avoided unauthorized service (which could be deadly, as seen in Uzzah's case, 2 Sam 6), and reinforced accountability for the supremely holy duties associated with carrying God's manifest presence. It is a divine directive for a perfectly ordered system.

Numbers 4 2 Bonus section

• The age range for service for the Kohathites, specified in the subsequent verse (Numbers 4:3), was typically from 30 to 50 years of age, ensuring physical strength and maturity for their strenuous and demanding tasks of bearing the heavy, holy items of the Tabernacle. This practical detail further underlines the specific requirements for this sacred calling.
• The careful carrying of these objects, particularly the Ark of the Covenant, without direct human touch and using carrying poles, symbolizes the profound separation between the holy and the common. This physical distinction in the transportation method points to the sacred reverence required in approaching God's presence, foreshadowing the need for perfect mediation (Christ) for humans to draw near to God without divine judgment.
• The organization detailed in Numbers reflects the wisdom of God in preparing His people for a journey of faith and dependence. Each census, each duty, contributed to the orderly movement and dwelling of a massive congregation centered around God's presence in the Tabernacle.

Numbers 4 2 Commentary

Numbers 4:2 establishes the critical groundwork for the unique and weighty responsibilities of the Kohathite Levites. It's more than a mere numerical count; it’s a divine act of enrollment for sacred service. The emphasis on "clans and fathers' houses" reveals God's meticulous attention to order and genealogy, ensuring purity of lineage for those approaching the most holy elements of His Tabernacle. This divine order stands in contrast to human chaos, providing a blueprint for a community rightly aligned with His will. The danger and holiness of their duties implicitly necessitate this precision. This passage teaches us about the precision of God's commands, the solemnity of His service, and His provision for His work to be carried out orderly and responsibly by designated individuals, ultimately for His glory.