Numbers 4:2

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Numbers 4:2 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families,

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ houses,

Bible in Basic English BBE

Let the sons of Kohath, from among the sons of Levi, be numbered by their families, in the order of their fathers' houses;

Free Bible Version FBV

“Register the descendants of Kohath from the tribe of Levi, according to their family and father's line.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Take the summe of the sonnes of Kohath from among the sonnes of Leui, after their families, and houses of their fathers,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'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;

World English Bible WEB

“Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ houses,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Take the sum of the sons of Caath from the midst of the Levites, by their houses and families.

Translation for Translators T4T

“Write down the names of the men who belong to the clans descended from Levi.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 4:2

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 4:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB נָשֹׂ֗א אֶת רֹאשׁ֙ בְּנֵ֣י קְהָ֔ת מִ/תּ֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֣י לֵוִ֑י לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖/ם לְ/בֵ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽ/ם

נָשֹׂ֗א nâsâʼ H5375 to lift V-Qal-Ptc

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

רֹאשׁ֙ rôʼsh H7218 head N-ms

בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 son N-mp

קְהָ֔ת Qᵉhâth H6955 Kohath N-proper

מִ/תּ֖וֹךְ tâvek H8432 midst Prep | N-ms

בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 son N-mp

לֵוִ֑י Lêvîy H3878 Levi N-proper

לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖/ם mishpâchâh H4940 family Prep | N-fp | Suff

לְ/בֵ֥ית bayith H1004 place Prep | N-ms

אֲבֹתָֽ/ם ʼâb H1 father N-mp | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 4:2

נָשֹׂ֗א nâsâʼ H5375 "to lift" V-Qal-Ptc

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.

Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought

Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.

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.

רֹאשׁ֙ rôʼsh H7218 "head" N-ms

This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.

Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum

Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.

בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 "son" N-mp

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

קְהָ֔ת Qᵉhâth H6955 "Kohath" N-proper

Kohath was a man from the tribe of Levi, son of Levi and brother of Gershon and Merari, first mentioned in Genesis 46:11. He was the father of Amram and others. His name means assembly.

Definition: 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) Also named: qo.ha.ti (קְהָתִי "Kohathite" H6956) § Kohath = "assembly" the 2nd of the 3 sons of Levi and progenitor of a family in the tribe of Levi

Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: Kohath. See also: Genesis 46:11; Joshua 21:5; 1 Chronicles 23:12.

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.

בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 "son" N-mp

Definition: : child/son

לֵוִ֑י Lêvîy H3878 "Levi" N-proper

Levi was a son of Jacob and Leah, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. He was a brother of Reuben, Simeon, and Judah, and the father of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi's name is significant in the tribe of Levi.

Definition: A man of 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) § Levi = "joined to" the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah and progenitor of tribe of Levites

Usage: Occurs in 61 OT verses. KJV: Levi. See also H3879 (לֵוִי), H3881 (לֵוִיִּי). See also: Genesis 29:34; Deuteronomy 27:12; Psalms 135:20.

לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖/ם mishpâchâh H4940 "family" Prep | N-fp | Suff

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.

לְ/בֵ֥ית bayith H1004 "place" Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.

Definition: nm place, origin, between

Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.

אֲבֹתָֽ/ם ʼâb H1 "father" N-mp | Suff

In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.

Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)

Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.

Study Notes — Numbers 4:2

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Numbers 4:2 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 4:2
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 4:2
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 4:2
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 4:2
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 4:2
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 4:2

Context — The Duties of the Kohathites

1Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

2“Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families,

3men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 4This service of the Kohathites at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Numbers 3:27	From Kohath came the clans of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites; these were the clans of the Kohathites.
2	Numbers 3:19	The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

Numbers 4:2 Summary

This verse is about God instructing Moses to count the Kohathites, a group of Levites, by their families and clans. This was so they could serve in the Tent of Meeting, a special place where God met with His people, as seen in Exodus 29:42-43. Just like the Kohathites, we are all called to serve God in our own ways, and being organized and prepared is an important part of that, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14:40. By following God's instructions and being faithful in our service, we can honor Him and fulfill our purpose, as seen in Ephesians 2:10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the Kohathites specifically chosen for a census?

The Kohathites were chosen because they were a part of the Levite tribe, which was set apart by God to serve in the Tent of Meeting, as seen in Numbers 3:6, and this census was necessary to determine the number of men qualified to serve in this capacity, as mentioned in Numbers 4:3.

What was the purpose of taking a census of the Kohathites by clans and families?

The purpose was to organize and identify the specific families and clans within the Kohathites who would be responsible for serving in the Tent of Meeting, similar to how the Israelites were organized in Exodus 18:25.

How does this verse relate to the broader context of the Israelites' journey in the wilderness?

This verse is part of God's instructions to Moses and Aaron for organizing the Israelites' worship and service, as they journeyed through the wilderness, as seen in Exodus 40:38, and Numbers 1:1.

What does this verse reveal about God's attention to detail?

This verse shows that God is concerned with the specifics of how His people worship and serve Him, as seen in Exodus 25:40, and that He has a plan for each individual and family, as mentioned in Jeremiah 29:11.

Reflection Questions

How does the idea of being 'qualified to serve' in Numbers 4:3 apply to my own life and service to God?
What are some ways that I, like the Kohathites, can be organized and prepared to serve God in my daily life?
How can I, like the Levites, set apart a portion of my time and resources to serve God and others?
What are some 'most holy things' in my life that require special care and attention, as mentioned in Numbers 4:4?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 4:2

Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi,.... They were to begin with them first, and number them: after their families, by the house of their fathers; as many as were of the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 4:2

Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers, Sons of Kohath ... from thirty years old and upward.

Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 4:2

Numbers 4:2 Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,Ver. 2. Of the sons of Kohath.] Kohath was not Levi’ s firstborn, but Gershom: and yet he hath the pre-eminence, and chief charge, as of the ark, tables, candlestick, altars, &c., perhaps because Moses and Aaron were of that family.

Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 4:2

IV.(2) Of the sons of Kohath . . . —Kohath appears to have been the second son of Levi (Numbers 3:17), but the Kohathites here stand first because Moses and Aaron belonged to them, and it was their office to bear the Ark.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 4:2

1–20. The Kohathites and their duties.

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 4:2

THE AGE-LIMITS TO SERVICE, Numbers 4:1-3.The Lord in this chapter defines the term of acceptable service to be rendered by the Levites.