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Kohath קְהָת

Male Tribe of Levi H6955 6 books

Son of Levi; Levite clan ancestor

Who is Kohath in the Bible?

Kohath was the second son of Levi and grandson of Jacob, making him a foundational ancestor of the Levite people (Genesis 46:11, Exodus 6:16). His descendants, known as the Kohathites, formed one of the major clans within the Levitical priesthood and held special responsibility for caring for the most sacred objects of the tabernacle, including the ark of the covenant (Numbers 3:27-31, 4:4,15). Kohath's family line produced some of Israel's greatest leaders and spiritual figures, most notably Moses and Aaron, who led the nation out of Egypt and established the priesthood (Exodus 6:18,20). The Kohathites were assigned towns among the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and Manasseh, and they maintained their faithful service throughout Israel's history. Through Kohath, God established a priestly lineage that would serve as mediators between Israel and the divine for generations to come.

Biography

Kohath was the second son of Levi and grandson of Israel (or 'Jacob') (Gen.46.11). He went to Egypt with Jacob's household (Gen.46.11) and his descendants were counted in the census of Israel (Exo.6.16,18; Num.3.17,19). The Kohathites became one of the major clans of the Levites (Num.3.27). They were responsible for the care of the most holy things of the tabernacle (Num.3.29-31; 4.4,15). The Kohathites were given towns to live in among the tribes of Ephraim, Dan and Manasseh (Jos.21.5,20,26). Notable descendants of Kohath included Moses, Aaron, and the priestly line (Exo.6.18,20), as well as the musician Heman (1Ch.6.33). The Kohathites remained faithful Levites throughout Israel's history (1Ch.9.32; 2Ch.20.19; 29.12; 34.12).

Family

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In Scripture

6 biblical books ; 3 with study content
Genesis 1 verse
Exodus 2 verses
  • Exodus 6:16

    "These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years."

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  • Exodus 6:18

    "The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years."

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Numbers 5 verses
  • Numbers 3:17

    "These were the sons of Levi by name: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari."

  • Numbers 3:19

    "The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel."

  • Numbers 3:27

    "From Kohath came the clans of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites; these were the clans of the Kohathites."

  • Numbers 3:29

    "The clans of the Kohathites were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle,"

  • Numbers 4:2

    "“Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families,"

1 Chronicles 5 verses
  • 1 Chronicles 6:1

    "The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari."

  • 1 Chronicles 6:2

    "The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel."

  • 1 Chronicles 6:16

    "The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari."

  • 1 Chronicles 6:18

    "The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel."

  • 1 Chronicles 6:22

    "The descendants of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,"

Joshua 5 verses
  • Joshua 21:5

    "The remaining descendants of Kohath received ten cities by lot from the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh."

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  • Joshua 21:20

    "The remaining Kohathite clans of the Levites were allotted these cities: From the tribe of Ephraim"

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  • Joshua 21:26

    "In all, ten cities, together with their pasturelands, were given to the rest of the Kohathite clans."

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  • Joshua 21:4

    "The first lot came out for the Kohathite clans. The Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest received thirteen cities by lot from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin."

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  • Joshua 21:10

    "to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because the first lot fell to them:"

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2 Chronicles 3 verses
  • 2 Chronicles 20:19

    "And the Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, shouting in a very loud voice."

  • 2 Chronicles 29:12

    "Then the Levites set to work: Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah from the Kohathites; Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel from the Merarites; Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah from the Gershonites;"

  • 2 Chronicles 34:12

    "And the men did the work faithfully. The Levites overseeing them were Jahath and Obadiah, descendants of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descendants of Kohath. Other Levites, all skilled with musical instruments,"

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Meaning
Named Hebrew קְהָת Kehath , an Israelite
(same form as previous) Hebrew קְהָת Kehath , an Israelite
Group Hebrew קְהָתִי —