Numbers 4:34
Numbers 4:34 in Multiple Translations
So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the congregation numbered the Kohathites by their clans and families,
¶ 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,
And Moses and Aaron and the princes of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites by their families, and by their fathers’ houses,
So Moses and Aaron and the chiefs of the people took in hand the numbering of the sons of the Kohathites, by families, in the order of their fathers' houses;
Moses, Aaron, and the Israelite leaders registered the families of Kohath according to their family and father's line.
Then Moses and Aaron and the princes of the Congregation nombred the sonnes of the Kohathites, by their families and by the houses of their fathers,
And Moses numbereth — Aaron also, and the princes of the company — the sons of the Kohathite, by their families, and by the house of their fathers,
Moses and Aaron and the princes of the congregation counted the sons of the Kohathites by their families, and by their fathers’ houses,
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,
So Moses and Aaron and the princes of the synagogue reckoned up the sons of Caath, by their kindreds and the houses of their fathers,
So Aaron and Moses/I and the Israeli leaders counted the descendants of Kohath, writing also the names of their clans and family groups.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 4:34
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 4:34 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּפְקֹ֨ד
מֹשֶׁ֧ה
וְ/אַהֲרֹ֛ן
וּ/נְשִׂיאֵ֥י
הָ/עֵדָ֖ה
אֶת
בְּנֵ֣י
הַ/קְּהָתִ֑י
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖/ם
וּ/לְ/בֵ֥ית
אֲבֹתָֽ/ם
וַ/יִּפְקֹ֨ד
pâqad
H6485
to reckon
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מֹשֶׁ֧ה
Môsheh
H4872
Moses
N-proper
וְ/אַהֲרֹ֛ן
ʼAhărôwn
H175
Aaron
Conj | N-proper
וּ/נְשִׂיאֵ֥י
nâsîyʼ
H5387
leader
Conj | N-mp
הָ/עֵדָ֖ה
ʻêdâh
H5712
congregation
Art | N-fs
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
הַ/קְּהָתִ֑י
Qŏhâthîy
H6956
Kohathite
Art | Ngmsa
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖/ם
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
Prep | N-fp | Suff
וּ/לְ/בֵ֥ית
bayith
H1004
place
Conj | Prep | N-ms
אֲבֹתָֽ/ם
ʼâb
H1
father
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 4:34
וַ/יִּפְקֹ֨ד
pâqad
H6485
"to reckon"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This word means to visit or oversee, and can imply a range of actions, from friendly to hostile. It is used in various contexts, including appointing, avenging, or delivering something into someone's care. The KJV translates it in many ways, including appoint, avenge, or commit.
Definition: : list/count 1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pay attention to, observe 1a2) to attend to 1a3) to seek, look about for 1a4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack 1a5) to visit 1a6) to visit upon, punish 1a7) to pass in review, muster, number 1a8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking 1b2) to be visited 1b3) to be visited upon 1b4) to be appointed 1b5) to be watched over 1c) (Piel) to muster, call up 1d) (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer 1e2) to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be visited 1f2) to be deposited 1f3) to be made overseer, be entrusted 1g) (Hithpael) numbered 1h) (Hothpael) numbered
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. See also: Genesis 21:1; Numbers 26:47; Psalms 8:5.
מֹשֶׁ֧ה
Môsheh
H4872
"Moses"
N-proper
Moses, the Israelite leader, was born to Amram and Jochebed and led the Exodus from Egypt. He received the law from God and is considered a key figure in the Bible. Moses means 'drawn' in Hebrew.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) § Moses = "drawn" the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus
Usage: Occurs in 704 OT verses. KJV: Moses. See also: Exodus 2:10; Exodus 13:1; Exodus 32:21.
וְ/אַהֲרֹ֛ן
ʼAhărôwn
H175
"Aaron"
Conj | N-proper
Aaron was the brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Israelites. He was a leader in the Exodus from Egypt and played a key role in the early history of the Israelites. His story is told in Exodus and Leviticus.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.4.14; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Moses (H4872) and Miriam (H4813); married to Elisheba (H0472); father of: Nadab (H5070), Abihu (H0030), Eleazar (H0499) and Ithamar (H0385) Also named: Aarōn (Ἀαρών "Aaron" G0002) § Aaron = "light bringer" brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest
Usage: Occurs in 328 OT verses. KJV: Aaron. See also: Exodus 4:14; Exodus 34:31; Numbers 3:39.
וּ/נְשִׂיאֵ֥י
nâsîyʼ
H5387
"leader"
Conj | N-mp
This word refers to a leader or a high-ranking official, like a king or a captain. It can also describe a rising mist, as seen in Isaiah 60:13. In the Bible, it often symbolizes power and authority.
Definition: one lifted up, chief, prince, captain, leader
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour. See also: Genesis 17:20; Numbers 34:26; Psalms 135:7.
הָ/עֵדָ֖ה
ʻêdâh
H5712
"congregation"
Art | N-fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gathering of people, like a congregation or crowd, often referring to a group of Israelites. It is used in various books, including Exodus and Psalms. The word is about people coming together.
Definition: congregation, gathering
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare H5713 (עֵדָה). See also: Exodus 12:3; Numbers 20:1; Psalms 1:5.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בְּנֵ֣י
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.
הַ/קְּהָתִ֑י
Qŏhâthîy
H6956
"Kohathite"
Art | Ngmsa
A Kohathite was a descendant of Kohath, a man from the tribe of Levi. The Kohathites were a family group in the tribe of Levi, named after Kohath, meaning assembly.
Definition: Someone descended from Kohath who was 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) Group of qe.hat (קְהָת "Kohath" H6955) § Kohathites, of Kohath "assembly" the descendants of Kohath, the 2nd son of Levi
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: Kohathites. See also: Numbers 3:27; Joshua 21:4; 2 Chronicles 34:12.
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖/ם
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
Prep | N-fp | Suff
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.
וּ/לְ/בֵ֥ית
bayith
H1004
"place"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
אֲבֹתָֽ/ם
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-mp | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
Study Notes — Numbers 4:34
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Numbering of the Levite Clans
32and the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes, including all their equipment and everything related to their use. You shall assign by name the items that they are responsible to carry.
33This is the service of the Merarite clans according to all their work at the Tent of Meeting, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.”
34So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the congregation numbered the Kohathites by their clans and families,
35everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 36And those numbered by their clans totaled 2,750.Numbers 4:34 Summary
This verse is about Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the congregation counting the Kohathites, who were a group of people responsible for serving at the Tent of Meeting. They were counted by their clans and families, which shows that God values family and community, as seen in Psalm 68:6, where God sets the lonely in families. This counting was also important for the organization and order of the service at the Tent of Meeting, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:40. By counting the Kohathites, Moses and Aaron were able to ensure that everyone knew their role and that the service was carried out in a decent and orderly manner, which is still an important principle for us today, as seen in Hebrews 13:17.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was it important for Moses, Aaron, and the leaders to number the Kohathites?
It was essential to number the Kohathites to ensure that the service at the Tent of Meeting was organized and that each person knew their role, as seen in Numbers 4:34, and to fulfill the command given in Numbers 1:3, where God instructed Moses to take a census of all the men from twenty years old and upward, who were able to go to war.
What can we learn from the way Moses and Aaron involved the leaders of the congregation in the numbering process?
We learn that leadership is not just about giving orders, but also about involving others in the decision-making process and delegating tasks, as seen in Exodus 18:13-27, where Moses appointed leaders to help him judge the people.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of worship and service in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of organization and accountability in worship and service, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:40, where the apostle Paul writes that everything should be done decently and in order, and in Hebrews 13:17, where we are encouraged to obey our leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over our souls.
What role did the Kohathites play in the service at the Tent of Meeting?
The Kohathites were responsible for carrying the holy objects of the tabernacle, as seen in Numbers 4:4-20, and they played a crucial role in the service at the Tent of Meeting, under the direction of Eleazar son of Aaron, as mentioned in Numbers 3:32.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can serve in my local church or community, and how can I ensure that I am doing so in an orderly and organized manner?
- How can I apply the principle of delegation and involvement of others in my own leadership roles or responsibilities?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to be more organized and accountable, and how can I seek help from others to achieve this?
- How can I balance the need for organization and order with the need for flexibility and adaptability in my service to God and others?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 4:34
And Moses and Aaron, and the chief of the congregation, numbered the sons of the Kohathites,.... Perhaps these chiefs were the same with those who were concerned with Moses and Aaron in numbering all
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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, Moses and Aaron ... This enumeration was made on
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 4:34
34–49. A detailed statement that Moses and Aaron numbered the men between the ages of 30 and 50 in the three Levitical families, as had been commanded.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 4:34
CENSUS OF LEVITES, Numbers 4:34-49.The results of the enumeration of Levites between thirty and fifty years are here tabulated, together with the number of incompetents and the