Numbers 26:58
These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram.
Original Language Analysis
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
These are the families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
These are the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
2 of 17
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
These are the families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
These are the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
4 of 17
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
הַלִּבְנִ֜י
of the Libnites
H3846
הַלִּבְנִ֜י
of the Libnites
Strong's:
H3846
Word #:
5 of 17
a libnite or descendants of libni (collectively)
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
These are the families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
These are the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
6 of 17
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
הַֽחֶבְרֹנִי֙
of the Hebronites
H2276
הַֽחֶבְרֹנִי֙
of the Hebronites
Strong's:
H2276
Word #:
7 of 17
chebronite (collectively), an inhabitant of chebron
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
These are the families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
These are the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
8 of 17
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
הַמַּחְלִי֙
of the Mahlites
H4250
הַמַּחְלִי֙
of the Mahlites
Strong's:
H4250
Word #:
9 of 17
a machlite or (collectively) descendants of machli
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
These are the families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
These are the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
10 of 17
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
הַמּוּשִׁ֔י
of the Mushites
H4188
הַמּוּשִׁ֔י
of the Mushites
Strong's:
H4188
Word #:
11 of 17
a mushite (collectively) or descendants of mushi
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
These are the families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
These are the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
12 of 17
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
הַקָּרְחִ֑י
of the Korathites
H7145
הַקָּרְחִ֑י
of the Korathites
Strong's:
H7145
Word #:
13 of 17
a korchite (collectively) or descendants of korach
הוֹלִ֥ד
begat
H3205
הוֹלִ֥ד
begat
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
15 of 17
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
Historical Context
The Kohathites carried the ark and holy vessels (Numbers 4:15). From this clan of ark-bearers came the man who spoke with God face-to-face (Moses) and the man who entered the Holy of Holies (Aaron). Function and lineage converged: those who carried holy things produced holy leaders.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does the census shift from listing families to highlighting Amram's lineage? What does this reveal about God's purposes in genealogies?
- How does the Kohathites' role carrying holy things prepare them to produce Israel's holiest leaders?
- What 'world-changers' might God be preparing in your family line that won't be revealed for generations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites—these are sub-clans of the three main divisions, showing detailed organization. Libnites (לִבְנִי, from "white/pure") handled tabernacle purification; Hebronites (חֶבְרוֹן, "association/fellowship") maintained community. The Mushites (מוּשִׁי, possibly "drawn out," like Moses) and Korathites (not identical to Korah's rebels, but from Kohath) each had specific duties.
And Kohath begat Amram (קֹהָת הוֹלִיד אֶת־עַמְרָם)—suddenly the genealogy focuses. Why? Because Amram's children were Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. The census transitions from tribal demographics to salvation history. Kohath's son fathered Israel's deliverer and high priest. Every family tree contains potential world-changers.