The Kohathites were one of the principal divisions of the Levites, the tribe set apart for religious duties and service to the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The Kohathites were descendants of Kohath, the second son of Levi, making them part of the Levitical priestly lineage. Kohath had four sons: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel (Exodus 6:18). From Amram came Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, making the Kohathites particularly significant in Israel's religious history.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Kohathites were entrusted with the care of the most sacred objects of the Tabernacle. According to Numbers 4:4-15, their responsibilities included the transportation of the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altars, and the sacred utensils. These items were to be covered by Aaron and his sons before the Kohathites could carry them, ensuring that the Kohathites did not touch the holy objects directly, as this would result in death (Numbers 4:15: "After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their accessories, the Kohathites are to come and carry them; but they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the duties of the Kohathites with regard to the Tent of Meeting.").

Inheritance and Cities

Unlike the other tribes of Israel, the Levites, including the Kohathites, did not receive a territorial inheritance in the Promised Land. Instead, they were given specific cities to dwell in, scattered throughout the territories of the other tribes. The Kohathites received cities primarily in the territories of Ephraim, Dan, and half of Manasseh (Joshua 21:5, 20-26).

Role in Worship and Leadership

The Kohathites played a crucial role in the religious life of Israel. As part of the Levitical order, they were involved in the worship and sacrificial system established by God through Moses. The Kohathites' duties were essential for maintaining the sanctity and proper function of the Tabernacle and later the Temple.

During the reign of King David, the Kohathites were organized into divisions for service in the Temple. David appointed some of the Kohathites as musicians, gatekeepers, and other roles necessary for the Temple's operation (1 Chronicles 6:31-48). This organization ensured that the worship of God was conducted with order and reverence.

Notable Kohathites

Several notable figures in Israel's history were Kohathites. Moses and Aaron, as descendants of Amram, were central to the Exodus narrative and the establishment of Israel's religious laws and practices. Korah, another descendant of Kohath, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their leadership and the priestly hierarchy (Numbers 16). This rebellion resulted in a dramatic judgment from God, affirming the divine appointment of Moses and Aaron.

Legacy

The Kohathites' legacy is one of service and dedication to the worship of God. Their role in handling the most sacred elements of the Tabernacle and Temple underscores the importance of holiness and reverence in approaching God. The Kohathites' contributions to Israel's religious life were foundational, ensuring that the worship of Yahweh was conducted according to His commands.Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Numbers 3:27
Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.
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Numbers 3:30
The prince of the fathers' house of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.
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Numbers 4:18
"Don't cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites;
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Numbers 4:34
Moses and Aaron and the princes of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites by their families, and by their fathers' houses,
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Numbers 4:37
These are those who were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.
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Numbers 10:21
The Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary. The others set up the tabernacle before they arrived.
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Numbers 26:57
These are those who were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites; of Merari, the family of the Merarites.
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Joshua 21:4
The lot came out for the families of the Kohathites. The children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had thirteen cities by lot out of the tribe of Judah, out of the tribe of the Simeonites, and out of the tribe of Benjamin.
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Joshua 21:10
and they were for the children of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for theirs was the first lot.
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Joshua 21:20
The families of the children of Kohath, the Levites, even the rest of the children of Kohath, had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.
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Joshua 21:26
All the cities of the families of the rest of the children of Kohath were ten with their suburbs.
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1 Chronicles 6:33
These are those who waited, and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel,
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1 Chronicles 6:54
Now these are their dwelling places according to their encampments in their borders: to the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites (for theirs was the first lot),
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1 Chronicles 6:61
To the rest of the sons of Kohath were given by lot, out of the family of the tribe, out of the half-tribe, the half of Manasseh, ten cities.
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1 Chronicles 6:70
and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its suburbs, and Bileam with its suburbs, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath.
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1 Chronicles 9:32
Some of their brothers, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the show bread, to prepare it every Sabbath.
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2 Chronicles 20:19
The Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice.
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2 Chronicles 29:12
Then the Levites arose, Mahath, the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah;
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2 Chronicles 34:12
The men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and others of the Levites, all who were skillful with instruments of music.
(See RSV)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)
Ko'hathites. Kohathites, Ko'hathites. Kohath's . Multi-Version Concordance
Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences). Numbers 3:27 Of Kohath ...
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Kohathites (18 Occurrences)

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Kohath's (3 Occurrences)

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