THE DESCENDANTS OF KOHATH
So now we come to the counting of the section of the tribe of Levi that evolved from the second son of Levi named Kohath.
Kohath had four sons named Amram, Izehar, Hebron and Uzziel.
AMRAM
Moses, Aaron and their sister Miriam actually belonged to the division of Kohaths that descended from Amram. Amram was their father. Their mother was named Jochebed.
These people together were called Amramites.
From this family God chose the High Priest and the priests that were to serve before Him in The Holy of Holies.
IZEHAR
Those that were descendants of Izehar were called the Izeharites.
In Hebrew, the name Izehar means “anointing.”
HEBRON
The descendants of Hebron were called the Hebronites.
The Hebrew translation for the name Hebron is “community.”
UZZIEL
Those who descended from Uzziel were called the Uzzielites.
In Hebrew, the name “Uzziel” means “God is strength.”
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to our every-Thursday on-line bible study. Today we will be looking into the Book of Numbers; Chapter Three.
If you missed last week’s lesson; you can find it here: MEET THE GERSHONITES – COME AS A CHILD – LESSON 254
We are so glad you decided to join us today!
MEET THE KOHATHS
All of these families together made up the division of the Levites called Kohath.
The Kohaths were responsible for caring for the holy objects of the tabernacle which included transporting the ark.
The Kohaths camped to the south of the tabernacle with Moses and Aaron closest to the tabernacle. The rest of the Kohaths were between the Tabernacle and the tribe of Reuben.
A DIFFERENT FORM OF NUMBERING
It is interesting to note how all of the different groups of the people of Israel have been numbered in different manners.
The first numbering for the army was determined to be for all able-bodied men over 20 years of age.
After that was done; we counted the WHOLE tribe of Levi by each male child from one month old and up. This was because the Levites were set aside for holy service. They did not serve from birth; but they were TRAINED to serve from birth.
Now we are counting the various different sections of the Levites; and today we are talking specifically about the count of the Kohathites. For this count we are counting all men who are from thirty to fifty years of age who will come to serve in the tabernacle.
REASON FOR THE AGE DESIGNATIONS
I think the method of numbering was probably designated in accordance to the service of those being counted.
Some tasks required that the person serving be very mature.
Other tasks were based solely upon lineage and genealogy.
There were other tasks required that a man be both mature AND physically capable and qualified for holy service.
So the counting ages were different for each group according to their tasks and assignments.
The Kohathites were counted with the method that numbered all men over thirty and under 50 who were qualified for holy service. These men had already been numbered once as Levites who were counted from a month old and up; but now each individual section of Kohathites were being numbered and counted separately. This count had different age requirements.
ONLY THE HIGH PRIEST AND THE PRIESTS COULD ENTER THE HOLY OF HOLIES
When it was time for the camp to move forward, Aaron and his sons would come to the Holy of Holies and cover all of the holy articles and vessels with the proper coverings in the specific way that God commanded.
Then they would carefully pack and bundle everything in the way that God had instructed. These priests were the only ones permitted to touch the holy, sacred, articles, furnishings and vessels of the tabernacle.
After securing and covering everything for transport; Aaron and his sons were required to carefully watch and instruct the Kohathites each time the camp moved and re-settled; being very sure they did not touch or see any of the things which they were carrying.
These things were most holy.
THE KOHATHITES TRANSPORTED THE HOLY ARTICLES
When all of the tabernacle furnishings were very carefully wrapped, secured and prepared and it was decided by Aaron and his sons that they were ready to be transported; Aaron and his sons would call forth the Kohathites who would then transport what they had carefully bundled and covered.
This transporting would happen only after the tents were taken down because none of the Kohathites were allowed to go inside the Holy of Holies; only Arron and his sons. They came in after the tents were down and picked up the articles from transportation on the ground.
DO NOT LOOK AND DO NOT TOUCH
The Kohathites were not to touch anything at all!
They were not to look at any of the holy furnishings and vessels.
This was a very strict and heavily enforced rule. Aaron and his sons were to supervise these men carefully to see that everyone understood.
These were holy, pure, clean items and ANY man not sanctioned by God could not be allowed to see or touch them.
TRANSPORTING WITH A ROD
The way the Kohathites carried everything was by the use of long, strong rods inserted into sturdy, strong loops. Nothing ever actually touched what they were carrying; only the loops that held them in place were touched by the rods.
The men transporting would ONLY touch the rods; and nothing else.
There would never be a reason for them to touch the items they were carrying by the use of the rods. It was strictly forbidden. If anyone touched any of the sacred furnishings; they would die. Each man knew this and they were carefully warned.
We will hear more about these things at a later time.
ELIZAPHAN CHOSEN AS THE LEADER OF THE KOHATHS
Altogether there were 8,600 Kohaths.
The leader that God chose to officiate over the Kohath tribes was Elizaphan, the son of Uzziel.
Remember when Nadab and Abihu had presented strange fire before the LORD and had instantly died? Elizaphan and his brother (Mishael) were the men designated to carry their corpses out of the camp, where they buried them.
Elizaphan was one of the descendants from the youngest of the Kohaths.
This leader named Elizaphan, was under the close leadership of Eleazar The Son of Aaron who was under the careful leadership of Moses and Aaron. He supervised the Kohaths who transported the ark, the table, the candlestick and the altars and the vessels of the Sanctuary used in the ministry. Also, they carried the vail that divided the Holy of Holies from The Holy Place.
Basically these men under Elizaphan tended to everything that was contained in the Holy of Holies including the vail that divided it from the most Holy Place.
THE CHAIN OF COMMAND
This chain of command which we have discovered starts with God and goes through Aaron, then Eleazar, the priests (Aaron’s sons) and then to those who were in charge of all of the holy articles; the Kohathites.
COMING UP NEXT
Next week we will look at the tribe of Levites who were called the Merari.
COMING UP SOON
After that; we are going to dive very deeply into one of the most interesting parts of the bible.
We will study a section of scripture that many people have never even considered. The things we will uncover there will amaze and astound you.
This study is about to arrive at one of the most prophetic parts of the Old Testament. It will open doors for us to countless New Testament stories as well as end-time revelations.
A SCRIPTURE PASSAGE THAT WILL AFFECT YOU FOREVER
I’ll admit that keeping calm and staying on-course in order to finish these basics of the whole story line of the Book of Numbers has been a hard chore for me so far.
That is only because of the passion I have found for the up-coming parts of The Book of Numbers and the urgency they have created in my spirit. This part of the study was a totally unexpected surprise to me; and it probably will feel the same way to you. You will never look at the upcoming scriptures the same.
We are soon coming to a study that will forever affect the way you look at the whole entire bible.
Stay with us – you will not regret studying these basics when we arrive on the other side of these things.
What God’s Word reveals to us there will be well worth the wait!