What responsibilities were assigned to the sons of Kohath in Numbers 3:19? Setting the scene Numbers 3 zooms in on the three major Levitical clans—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari—showing how God distributed Tabernacle duties. Verses 27-32 spell out the Kohathites’ role (though verse 19 only lists their fathers). Who were the sons of Kohath? • Amram • Izhar • Hebron • Uzziel These four heads gave their names to the Kohathite sub-clans (v. 27). The responsibilities spelled out “Their duty was the care of the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used in ministering, and the curtain—and everything related to their use.” (Numbers 3:31) Breakdown of the list: • The Ark of the Covenant – the very throne of God’s presence (Exodus 25:10-22) • The Table of the Bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:23-30) • The Golden Lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40) • Both the Incense Altar and the Bronze Altar (Exodus 30:1-10; 27:1-8) • All supporting “articles of the sanctuary” (utensils, bowls, snuffers, etc.) • The Veil/Curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:31-33) Additional safeguards • The Kohathites camped on the south side of the Tabernacle (Numbers 3:29). • Eleazar, Aaron’s eldest surviving son, supervised their work (Numbers 3:32). • When moving camp, everything had to be covered by Aaronic priests before any Kohathite touched it (Numbers 4:4-15). Why these tasks mattered • Guarding holiness—Contact with the holy objects by anyone unauthorized could result in death (Numbers 4:15; 2 Samuel 6:6-7). • Preserving worship—Their careful transport ensured uninterrupted sacrificial ministry (Numbers 7:9). • Foreshadowing Christ—Each item symbolized aspects of Jesus’ person and work (Hebrews 9:1-12). Living it out today God still assigns specific gifts and responsibilities within His people (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). The Kohathites’ meticulous service challenges believers to treat the things of God with reverence, accuracy, and wholehearted devotion. |
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