Numbers 3:29
Numbers 3:29 in Multiple Translations
The clans of the Kohathites were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle,
The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward.
The families of the sons of Kohath shall encamp on the side of the tabernacle southward.
The tents of the Kohathites are to be placed on the south side of the House.
The camp of families of Kohath was on the south side of the Tabernacle.
The families of the sonnes of Kohath shall pitch on the Southside of the Tabernacle.
The families of the sons of Kohath encamp by the side of the tabernacle southward.
The families of the sons of Kohath shall encamp on the south side of the tabernacle.
The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward.
And shall camp on the south side.
They set up their tents on the south side of the Sacred Tent.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 3:29
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 3:29 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
בְּנֵי
קְהָ֖ת
יַחֲנ֑וּ
עַ֛ל
יֶ֥רֶךְ
הַ/מִּשְׁכָּ֖ן
תֵּימָֽנָ/ה
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
N-fp
בְּנֵי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
קְהָ֖ת
Qᵉhâth
H6955
Kohath
N-proper
יַחֲנ֑וּ
chânâh
H2583
to camp
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
עַ֛ל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
יֶ֥רֶךְ
yârêk
H3409
thigh
N-fs
הַ/מִּשְׁכָּ֖ן
mishkân
H4908
tabernacle
Art | N-ms
תֵּימָֽנָ/ה
têymân
H8486
south
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 3:29
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
N-fp
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
בְּנֵי
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
קְהָ֖ת
Qᵉhâth
H6955
"Kohath"
N-proper
Kohath was a man from the tribe of Levi, son of Levi and brother of Gershon and Merari, first mentioned in Genesis 46:11. He was the father of Amram and others. His name means assembly.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11; son of: Levi (H3878); brother of: Gershon (H1648), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115); father of: Amram (H6019), Izhar (H3324), Hebron (H2275B) and Uzziel (H5816) Also named: qo.ha.ti (קְהָתִי "Kohathite" H6956) § Kohath = "assembly" the 2nd of the 3 sons of Levi and progenitor of a family in the tribe of Levi
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: Kohath. See also: Genesis 46:11; Joshua 21:5; 1 Chronicles 23:12.
יַחֲנ֑וּ
chânâh
H2583
"to camp"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew verb means to set up camp or pitch a tent, like when the Israelites encamped in the wilderness. It can also mean to lay siege against a city.
Definition: 1) to decline, incline, encamp, bend down, lay siege against 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to decline 1a2) to encamp
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: abide (in tents), camp, dwell, encamp, grow to an end, lie, pitch (tent), rest in tent. See also: Genesis 26:17; Numbers 33:33; Psalms 27:3.
עַ֛ל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יֶ֥רֶךְ
yârêk
H3409
"thigh"
N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to the thigh or the side of something, and can also symbolize strength or power. It is used to describe where a sword is worn, and also represents the loins as the seat of procreative power.
Definition: 1) thigh, side, loin, base 1a) thigh 1a1) outside of thigh (where sword was worn) 1a2) loins (as the seat of procreative power) 1b) side (flank) (of object) 1c) base
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] body, loins, shaft, side, thigh. See also: Genesis 24:2; Numbers 3:35; Psalms 45:4.
הַ/מִּשְׁכָּ֖ן
mishkân
H4908
"tabernacle"
Art | N-ms
The tabernacle was a special tent where God met with the Israelites, as described in Exodus and Leviticus. It was a portable place of worship, like a dwelling place for God. The Israelites carried it with them.
Definition: 1) dwelling place, tabernacle 1a) dwelling-place 1b) dwellings Aramaic equivalent: mish.kan (מִשְׁכַּן "habitation" H4907)
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent. See also: Exodus 25:9; Numbers 3:23; Psalms 26:8.
תֵּימָֽנָ/ה
têymân
H8486
"south"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for south or southern direction, used to describe location or wind. It is often translated as south in the Bible, including in books like Exodus and Ezekiel.
Definition: 1) south, southward, whatever is on the right (so the southern quarter), south wind 1a) south (of territory) 1b) southern quarter (of the sky) 1c) toward the south, southward (of direction) 1d) south wind
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: south (side, -ward, wind). See also: Exodus 26:18; Joshua 15:1; Psalms 78:26.
Study Notes — Numbers 3:29
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Kohathites
27From Kohath came the clans of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites; these were the clans of the Kohathites.
28The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. They were responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.
29The clans of the Kohathites were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle,
30and the leader of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan son of Uzziel. 31Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used with them, and the curtain—all the service for these items.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 1:53 | But the Levites are to camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony and watch over it, so that no wrath will fall on the congregation of Israel. So the Levites are responsible for the tabernacle of the Testimony.” |
| 2 | Numbers 3:23 | The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle, |
| 3 | Numbers 2:10 | On the south side, the divisions of Reuben are to camp under their standard: The leader of the Reubenites is Elizur son of Shedeur, |
Numbers 3:29 Summary
[The Kohathites were a group of people who were chosen to camp on the south side of the tabernacle, which was a special tent where God met with His people, as seen in Numbers 3:29. This was a big responsibility, because they were in charge of taking care of the sacred items used in worship, like the ark and the lampstand, as outlined in Numbers 3:31. Just like the Kohathites had a special job, we each have our own role to play in serving God and others, as encouraged in Matthew 20:26-28. By following God's instructions and doing our part, we can work together to create a community that honors Him, just like the Israelites did in the wilderness, as described in Numbers 2:1-34.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of the Kohathites camping on the south side of the tabernacle?
The Kohathites were assigned to camp on the south side of the tabernacle as part of their role in the Israelite community, emphasizing their importance in the service of the sanctuary, as seen in Numbers 3:29 and their responsibilities in Numbers 3:31.
How did the location of the Kohathites relate to their duties?
The location of the Kohathites on the south side of the tabernacle was likely strategic, given their duties included caring for the ark, table, lampstand, and other sacred items, as outlined in Numbers 3:31, similar to the responsibilities given to the Levites in Numbers 1:50-53.
What can we learn from the organization of the Israelite camp?
The organization of the Israelite camp, including the placement of the Kohathites, demonstrates God's attention to detail and order, as seen in Numbers 2:1-34, and reminds us of the importance of structure and obedience in our own lives, as encouraged in 1 Corinthians 14:40.
How does this verse relate to the broader biblical theme of community and service?
The assignment of the Kohathites to a specific location and set of duties highlights the value of community and service in the biblical narrative, echoing the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 20:26-28 and the example of the early church in Acts 2:44-47.
Reflection Questions
- What does the specific placement of the Kohathites reveal about God's character and His desire for order in our lives?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of strategic placement and assignment to my own life and ministry, as seen in the example of the Kohathites?
- How does the emphasis on the Kohathites' duties and location encourage me to reflect on my own role in the body of Christ, as described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of attention to detail and obedience in my own spiritual journey, as demonstrated by the Israelites' organization and the Kohathites' responsibilities?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 3:29
The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 3:29
In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 3:29
(29) on the side of the tabernacle southward.—The south has its name in Hebrew (Teman) from Yamin, the right hand, because when a man stands with his face towards the east the south is on his right hand.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 3:29
21–39. The Levitical families and their duties. Notice that narrative in Numbers 3:21 f., 27 f., 33 f., 39 alternates with commands in Numbers 3:23-26; Numbers 3:29-32; Numbers 3:35-38. It is one of the many indications that the priestly portions of the book were the composite work of more than one writer.
Sermons on Numbers 3:29
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Left Behind by George Matheson | George Matheson emphasizes the significance of the Levites, who were overlooked and uncounted in the census of Israel, yet held a vital role in maintaining the tabernacle. He illus |