Numbers 4:4
New International Version
“This is the work of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things.

New Living Translation
“The duties of the Kohathites at the Tabernacle will relate to the most sacred objects.

English Standard Version
This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting: the most holy things.

Berean Standard Bible
This service of the Kohathites at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things.

King James Bible
This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things:

New King James Version
“This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of meeting, relating to the most holy things:

New American Standard Bible
This is the work of the descendants of Kohath in the tent of meeting, concerning the most holy things.

NASB 1995
“This is the work of the descendants of Kohath in the tent of meeting, concerning the most holy things.

NASB 1977
“This is the work of the descendants of Kohath in the tent of meeting, concerning the most holy things.

Legacy Standard Bible
This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting, concerning the most holy things.

Amplified Bible
This is the work and responsibility of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle): the most holy things.

Christian Standard Bible
“The service of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting concerns the most holy objects.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The service of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting concerns the most holy objects.

American Standard Version
This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting, about the most holy things:

Contemporary English Version
The Kohathites will be responsible for carrying the sacred objects used in worship at the sacred tent.

English Revised Version
This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting, about the most holy things:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"This is the work the Kohathites will do in the tent of meeting: They will take care of the most holy things.

Good News Translation
Their service involves the most holy things.

International Standard Version
"Here's what the descendants of Kohath are to do regarding the Tent of Meeting and what's inside the Most Holy Place:

Majority Standard Bible
This service of the Kohathites at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things.

NET Bible
This is the service of the Kohathites in the tent of meeting, relating to the most holy things.

New Heart English Bible
This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting, the most holy things.

Webster's Bible Translation
This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things.

World English Bible
“This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting, regarding the most holy things.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
This [is] the service of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting [for] the most holy things:

Young's Literal Translation
This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting, the holy of holies:

Smith's Literal Translation
These the works of the sons of Kohath in the tent of appointment, the holy of holies.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
This is the service of the sons of Caath:

Catholic Public Domain Version
This is the service of the sons of Kohath: the tabernacle of the covenant and the Holy of holies.

New American Bible
This is the task of the Kohathites in the tent of meeting: the most sacred objects.

New Revised Standard Version
The service of the Kohathites relating to the tent of meeting concerns the most holy things.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation concerning the most holy things;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
This is the service of the sons of Qahath in the Time tent, The Holy of Holies.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting, about the most holy things:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And these are the works of the sons of Caath in the tabernacle of witness; it is most holy.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Duties of the Kohathites
3men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 4This service of the Kohathites at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things. 5Whenever the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimony with it.…

Cross References
Exodus 25:8-9
And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. / You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.

Exodus 40:9-10
Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it along with all its furnishings, and it shall be holy. / Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it shall be most holy.

Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

1 Chronicles 23:26-32
So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.” / For according to the final instructions of David, the Levites twenty years of age or older were counted, / but their duty was to assist the descendants of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, being responsible for the courts and chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God, ...

Hebrews 9:1-5
Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. / A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. / Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, ...

Exodus 26:33-34
And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. / Put the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place.

1 Kings 8:6-8
Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. / For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. / The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day.

2 Chronicles 5:7-9
Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. / For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. / The poles of the ark extended far enough that their ends were visible from in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day.

Hebrews 8:5
The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

Exodus 30:26-29
Use this oil to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony, / the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, the altar of incense, / the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. ...

1 Samuel 6:19
But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter.

2 Samuel 6:6-7
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.

1 Chronicles 15:2
Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”

1 Chronicles 15:13-15
It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.” / So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. / And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things:

Numbers 4:15,19,24,30
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation…

Numbers 3:30,31
And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel…

Mark 13:34
For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

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Care Congregation Connection Descendants Holies Holy Kohath Kohathites Meeting Tabernacle Tent Work
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Care Congregation Connection Descendants Holies Holy Kohath Kohathites Meeting Tabernacle Tent Work
Numbers 4
1. The age at which the Levites were to serve, and the duration of the service
4. The duty of the Kohathites
16. The charge of Eleazar
17. The office of the priests
21. The duty of the Gershonites
29. Of the Merarites
34. The number of the Kohathites
38. Of the Gershonites
42. And of the Merarites














This service of the Kohathites
The Kohathites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, descendants of Levi's son Kohath. Their specific role was to care for the most sacred objects of the tabernacle. This highlights the importance of their duties and the trust placed in them. The Kohathites' service is a reminder of the need for reverence and care in handling sacred things, a principle that can be seen in the New Testament with the church's responsibility to uphold the sanctity of worship and doctrine (1 Timothy 3:15).

at the Tent of Meeting
The Tent of Meeting, also known as the Tabernacle, was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was the center of Israelite worship and a place where God communicated with Moses. The Tent of Meeting symbolizes God's desire to dwell among His people, a theme fulfilled in the New Testament with the incarnation of Jesus Christ (John 1:14) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers (1 Corinthians 3:16).

regards the most holy things
The "most holy things" refer to the sacred objects within the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, and the altars. These items were central to the worship and sacrificial system of Israel and were considered extremely sacred. The handling of these items by the Kohathites underscores the holiness required in approaching God, a concept that is echoed in the New Testament with the call for believers to live holy lives (1 Peter 1:15-16). The Ark, in particular, is a type of Christ, representing God's presence, covenant, and mercy.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Kohathites
A Levitical clan descended from Kohath, the second son of Levi. They were responsible for the most sacred duties in the Tabernacle, including the care of the Ark of the Covenant and other holy items.

2. Tent of Meeting
Also known as the Tabernacle, it was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.

3. Most Holy Things
Refers to the sacred objects within the Tabernacle, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense, which were central to Israelite worship and represented God's presence.
Teaching Points
Sacred Responsibility
The Kohathites were entrusted with the care of the most holy things, illustrating the importance of reverence and responsibility in serving God. Believers today are called to handle the Word of God and the sacraments with similar reverence.

Holiness and Separation
The Kohathites' role underscores the concept of holiness and being set apart for God's service. Christians are called to live holy lives, set apart for God's purposes.

Faithfulness in Service
The Kohathites' meticulous care for the holy items serves as a model for faithfulness in whatever tasks God assigns to us, no matter how small or large.

God's Presence
The most holy things symbolized God's presence among His people. Today, believers are reminded that God's presence dwells within them through the Holy Spirit, calling for a life of purity and devotion.Verse 4. - About the most holy things. Rather, "the most holy things:" they were the service of the Kohathites. So the Septuagint.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This
זֹ֛את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

service
עֲבֹדַ֥ת (‘ă·ḇō·ḏaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5656: Work of any kind

of the Kohathites
בְּנֵי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

at the Tent
בְּאֹ֣הֶל (bə·’ō·hel)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168: A tent

of Meeting
מוֹעֵ֑ד (mō·w·‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

regards the most
קֹ֖דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

holy things.
הַקֳּדָשִֽׁים׃ (haq·qo·ḏā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity


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OT Law: Numbers 4:4 This is the service of the sons (Nu Num.)
Numbers 4:3
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