Numbers 4:18
Numbers 4:18 in Multiple Translations
“Do not allow the Kohathite tribal clans to be cut off from among the Levites.
Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites:
Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites;
Do not let the family of the Kohathites be cut off from among the Levites;
“Make sure the families of Kohath are not wiped out from the Levites.
Ye shall not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Leuites:
'Ye do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathite from the midst of the Levites;
“Don’t cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites;
Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites:
Destroy not the people of Caath from the midst of the Levites:
“When the descendants of Kohath approach the sacred items in the Sacred Tent to take them to another location, Aaron and his sons must always go in with them and show each of them what work to do and what things to carry. But the descendants of Kohath must not enter the Sacred Tent at any other time and look at the things that are in it. If they do that, I will get rid of all the descendants of Kohath.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 4:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 4:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַל
תַּכְרִ֕יתוּ
אֶת
שֵׁ֖בֶט
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת
הַ/קְּהָתִ֑י
מִ/תּ֖וֹךְ
הַ/לְוִיִּֽם
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תַּכְרִ֕יתוּ
kârath
H3772
to cut
V-Hiphil-Juss-2mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
שֵׁ֖בֶט
shêbeṭ
H7626
tribe
N-ms
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
N-fp
הַ/קְּהָתִ֑י
Qŏhâthîy
H6956
Kohathite
Art | Ngmsa
מִ/תּ֖וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
midst
Prep | N-ms
הַ/לְוִיִּֽם
Lêvîyîy
H3881
Levi
Art | Ngmpa
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 4:18
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תַּכְרִ֕יתוּ
kârath
H3772
"to cut"
V-Hiphil-Juss-2mp
This Hebrew word means to cut or destroy something, but it also has a special meaning related to making a covenant or agreement. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, symbolized by cutting animals in half, showing the seriousness of the promise. This word is used to describe important agreements and alliances.
Definition: : cut/fell 1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to hew 1a4) to cut or make a covenant 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off 1b2) to be cut down 1b3) to be chewed 1b4) to be cut off, fail 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be cut off 1c2) to be cut down 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cut off 1d2) to cut off, destroy 1d3) to cut down, destroy 1d4) to take away 1d5) to permit to perish 1e) (Hophal) cut off
Usage: Occurs in 280 OT verses. KJV: be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. See also: Genesis 9:11; 1 Samuel 24:6; Psalms 12:4.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
שֵׁ֖בֶט
shêbeṭ
H7626
"tribe"
N-ms
This word means a stick or staff, but also a clan or tribe, and can refer to a symbol of authority or a tool for punishing. It is used in the Bible to describe the rods used by shepherds or the scepters of kings.
Definition: : tribe 1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe 1a) rod, staff 1b) shaft (of spear, dart) 1c) club (of shepherd's implement) 1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority) 1e) clan, tribe
Usage: Occurs in 178 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 2:9.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
N-fp
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
הַ/קְּהָתִ֑י
Qŏhâthîy
H6956
"Kohathite"
Art | Ngmsa
A Kohathite was a descendant of Kohath, a man from the tribe of Levi. The Kohathites were a family group in the tribe of Levi, named after Kohath, meaning assembly.
Definition: Someone descended from Kohath who was a man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11; son of: Levi (H3878); brother of: Gershon (H1648), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115); father of: Amram (H6019), Izhar (H3324), Hebron (H2275B) and Uzziel (H5816) Group of qe.hat (קְהָת "Kohath" H6955) § Kohathites, of Kohath "assembly" the descendants of Kohath, the 2nd son of Levi
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: Kohathites. See also: Numbers 3:27; Joshua 21:4; 2 Chronicles 34:12.
מִ/תּ֖וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
"midst"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.
הַ/לְוִיִּֽם
Lêvîyîy
H3881
"Levi"
Art | Ngmpa
A Levite is a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. Levi's brothers include Reuben, Simeon, and Judah. His descendants played a key role in Israel's spiritual life.
Definition: Someone from the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115) Another name of le.vi (לֵוִי "Levi" H3878) § Levite, of Levi "joined to" 1) the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah 1a) the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service
Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: Leviite. See also: Exodus 4:14; 1 Chronicles 6:33; Ezra 6:20.
Study Notes — Numbers 4:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 4:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 4:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 4:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 4:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 4:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 4:18
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 4:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 4:18
- Sermons on Numbers 4:18
Context — The Duties of the Kohathites
16Eleazar son of Aaron the priest shall oversee the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the daily grain offering, and the anointing oil. He has oversight of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including the holy objects and their utensils.”
17Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
18“Do not allow the Kohathite tribal clans to be cut off from among the Levites.
19In order that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go in and assign each man his task and what he is to carry. 20But the Kohathites are not to go in and look at the holy objects, even for a moment, or they will die.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 6:6–7 | When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God. |
| 2 | Numbers 17:10 | The LORD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebellious, so that you may put an end to their grumbling against Me, lest they die.” |
| 3 | Numbers 18:5 | And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 38:23 | All your wives and children will be brought out to the Chaldeans. And you yourself will not escape their grasp, for you will be seized by the king of Babylon, and this city will be burned down.” |
| 5 | Exodus 19:21 | and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them perish. |
| 6 | 1 Samuel 6:19 | But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter. |
| 7 | Numbers 16:32 | and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. |
| 8 | Leviticus 10:1–2 | Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. |
Numbers 4:18 Summary
The Lord is instructing Moses and Aaron to make sure the Kohathite clans are not separated from the rest of the Levites, as they have a special job to do in carrying the holy objects of the tabernacle, similar to the task given to the Levites in Deuteronomy 10:8. This is important because if they are not careful and reverent, they could die, as warned in Numbers 4:20. The Lord wants us to understand that serving Him is a serious and sacred responsibility, requiring obedience and humility, as seen in the example of the priests in Leviticus 8:1-36. By following God's instructions carefully, we can ensure our safety and success in our service to Him, just as the Israelites were instructed in Joshua 1:7-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Kohathite clans so important in Numbers 4:18?
The Kohathite clans were a part of the Levites, and they had a crucial role in carrying the holy objects of the tabernacle, as seen in Numbers 4:18, to ensure the Lord's presence was honored and the people were protected, much like the importance of reverence in Exodus 19:21-22.
What would happen if the Kohathite clans were cut off from the Levites?
If the Kohathite clans were cut off, they would likely face death or severe consequences for mishandling the holy objects, as warned in Numbers 4:20, emphasizing the gravity of their responsibility before the Lord, similar to the warning in Leviticus 10:1-2.
How does Numbers 4:18 relate to the concept of priestly duties in the Bible?
This verse highlights the specific roles and responsibilities assigned to the Levites and their clans, such as the Kohathites, mirroring the detailed instructions for priestly duties found in Leviticus 1:1-7:38, demonstrating God's attention to detail and order in worship and service.
What does this verse teach about God's desire for order and structure in worship?
Numbers 4:18 shows that God values order and structure in worship, as He provides specific instructions for the Kohathites and Levites, illustrating the importance of obedience and reverence in worship, as also seen in 1 Corinthians 14:40.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's heart for the preservation and protection of those who serve Him?
- How can we, like the Kohathite clans, ensure that we are fulfilling our roles and responsibilities in a way that honors God and avoids reckless disregard for His holiness?
- In what ways can we apply the principle of assigned tasks and reverence for the holy things in our own lives and communities of faith, considering the example of Exodus 25:8-9?
- What role does humility and obedience play in our ability to approach and serve the Lord, as hinted at in Numbers 4:18 and more fully explained in Psalm 51:17?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 4:18
Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 4:18
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Cut ye not off ... - a solemn admonition to Moses and Aaron to beware, lest, by any negligence on their part, disorder and improprieties should
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 4:18
i.e. Do not by your neglect provoke God to cut them off for touching the holy things.
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 4:18
Numbers 4:18 Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites:Ver. 18. Cut ye not off,] i.e., Cause them not, by your default, to be cut off. Heed must be taken, that we neither give offence carelessly, nor take offence causelessly.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 4:18
(18) Cut ye not off the tribe . . . —The word shebet (tribe) is here used in a very peculiar sense, and denotes one division only of the tribe of Levi. In this and the following verses the injunction already given (Numbers 5:15) is renewed, and Moses and Aaron are charged not to be guilty of such negligence in respect of it as might expose the Kohathites to death in consequence of their unlawful treatment of the holy things. Moses and Aaron might be said to do that which would be the result of their negligence. In like manner St. Paul enjoins the Roman Christians in these words: “Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died” (Romans 14:15).
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 4:18
1–20. The Kohathites and their duties.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 4:18
18. Cut ye not off… the Kohathites — Hebrews, Cause ye not to cut off, etc.
Sermons on Numbers 4:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Ark of God by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon delves into the story of David and the ark of God, highlighting the consequences of mishandling holy things, the importance of obedience over sacrifice, and the need fo |
|
The Threshing Floor of Ornan by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a genuine and real relationship with God. He highlights the need for believers to have a solid foundation in their f |
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David and the Ark of God - God's Way by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the spiritual decline in the time of Eli, the last of the judges. Eli had ordained his wicked sons into the ministry, and they treated him wi |
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Pilgrims Problems No. 3 Strong Drink by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the negative effects of the book, highlighting its role in bringing misery, immorality, blasphemy, stupidity, incapability, and leading to et |
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(The Full Gospel) 21. Helping God!! by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen preaches on the dangers of using human reasoning and trying to help God according to our own understanding, as seen in the stories of Abraham, Moses, and Uzzah. He empha |
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Carnal Confidence and Confidence of Faith by John Nelson Darby | John Nelson Darby addresses the contrast between carnal confidence and the confidence of faith, emphasizing that true confidence comes from recognizing our position before God and |
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Praise and Fear the Lord by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, David delivers a psalm to thank the Lord, emphasizing the importance of worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness. He encourages the people to declare God's glory am |