קְהָתִי (qo.ha.ti)
qo.ha.ti
Kohathite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The term qoḥatî identifies a member of the Kohathite clan, one of the three primary divisions within the tribe of Levi. These individuals were descendants of Kohath, the second son of Levi and grandson of Jacob. This lineage is first recorded in Genesis 46:11 when the family settles in Egypt, establishing their place in Israel’s early history.
In the wilderness period and subsequent conquest, the Kohathites held a specific, high-responsibility role regarding the Tabernacle. Unlike other Levitical groups who handled the structure or furniture, the Kohathites were entrusted with carrying the most sacred objects, including the Ark of the Covenant and the table of showbread. This duty required them to approach the sanctuary only after it had been properly covered by the priests.
The name itself derives from qeḥat, meaning "assembly" or "congregation," reflecting their corporate identity within Israel’s worship structure. The sources note that this designation appears frequently in Numbers and Chronicles, highlighting their enduring significance in organizing temple service. Their genealogy, tracing back through Amram to figures like Moses and Aaron, underscores the deep connection between their clerical duties and the broader narrative of Israel’s leadership.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qoḥatî identifies a member of the Kohathite clan, one of the three primary divisions within the tribe of Levi. These individuals were descendants of Kohath, the second son of Levi and grandson of Jacob. This lineage is first recorded in Genesis 46:11 when the family settles in Egypt, establishing their place in Israel’s early history.
In the wilderness period and subsequent conquest, the Kohathites held a specific, high-responsibility role regarding the Tabernacle. Unlike other Levitical groups who handled the structure or furniture, the Kohathites were entrusted with carrying the most sacred objects, including the Ark of the Covenant and the table of showbread. This duty required them to approach the sanctuary only after it had been properly covered by the priests.
The name itself derives from qeḥat, meaning "assembly" or "congregation," reflecting their corporate identity within Israel’s worship structure. Their genealogy, tracing back through Amram to figures like Moses and Aaron, underscores the deep connection between their clerical duties and the broader narrative of Israel’s leadership.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Kohathite[s]10×
- the/ Kohathites3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/קְּהָתִ֑י5×
- הַ/קְּהָתִ֖ים2×
- הַ/קְּהָתִי֒1×
- הַ/קְּהָתִֽי\׃1×
- הַ/קְּהָתִ֛י1×
- הַ/קְּהָתִ֖י1×
- הַ/קְּהָתִ֔ים1×
- הַ/קְּהָתִ֔י1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 4:18
“Don’t cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites;
This verse explicitly forbids cutting off the Kohathites, highlighting that their sacred duty to carry the holy objects was protected by divine command rather than human preference.
-
Numbers 10:21
The Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary. The others set up the tabernacle before they arrived.
Here the text describes the physical movement of the camp, noting that the Kohathites set forward bearing the sanctuary while others prepared the site, showing their specific logistical role in worship mobility.
-
II Chronicles 20:19
The Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with an exceedingly loud voice.
This occurrence links the Kohathites directly to corporate praise, showing that their service extended beyond carrying items to actively leading the congregation in loud, public worship.
-
I Chronicles 9:32
Some of their brothers, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the show bread, to prepare it every Sabbath.
In this post-exilic context, Kohathites are specifically appointed over the showbread, demonstrating how their ancestral responsibility for sacred provisions continued to shape temple service long after the wilderness era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the word qoḥatî mean?
What was the role of the Kohathites?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (13 verses across 4 books)
Numbers 7 verses
Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, the family of the Izharites, the family of the Hebronites, and the family of…
Numbers 3:30The prince of the fathers’ house of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.
Numbers 4:18“Don’t cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites;
Numbers 4:34Moses and Aaron and the princes of the congregation counted the sons of the Kohathites by their families, and by their…
Numbers 4:37These are those who were counted of the families of the Kohathites, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses…
Numbers 10:21The Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary. The others set up the tabernacle before they arrived.
Numbers 26:57These are those who were counted of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites; of…