Numbers 4:34
And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and after the house of their fathers,
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּפְקֹ֨ד
numbered
H6485
וַיִּפְקֹ֨ד
numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
1 of 11
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
וּנְשִׂיאֵ֥י
and the chief
H5387
וּנְשִׂיאֵ֥י
and the chief
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
הָֽעֵדָ֖ה
of the congregation
H5712
הָֽעֵדָ֖ה
of the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
5 of 11
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֣י
the sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַקְּהָתִ֑י
of the Kohathites
H6956
הַקְּהָתִ֑י
of the Kohathites
Strong's:
H6956
Word #:
8 of 11
a kohathite (collectively) or descendants of kehath
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
9 of 11
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
Historical Context
Conducted at Sinai during Israel's second year after the Exodus (1445 BC traditional dating). The Kohathites' census occurred after instructions for their service (4:1-20) but before their actual duties commenced. Moses and Aaron, both Kohathites themselves, supervised the count under God's direct command.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's use of hereditary service roles challenge modern meritocracy while still affirming that spiritual service requires divine calling?
- What does the Kohathites' privilege (carrying holy objects) paired with restriction (not viewing them) teach about holy reverence in ministry?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites—The census (פָּקַד, paqad) served dual purposes: military registration and sacred service allocation. The Kohathites, descended from Levi's second son, bore the most holy objects of the tabernacle (ark, table, lampstand, altars) but could not look upon them unpacked (4:20) on pain of death.
After their families, and after the house of their fathers—Hebrew tribal structure (מִשְׁפְּחֹת, mishpachot) ensured hereditary service roles. This census wasn't about ability but divine appointment through bloodline, anticipating Christ's qualification as High Priest through Judah's genealogy yet fulfilling Melchizedek's eternal priesthood (Hebrews 7).