Original Word: קֱהָתִי
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Qohathiy
Pronunciation: keh-haw-thee
Phonetic Spelling: (ko-haw-thee')
KJV: Kohathites
NASB: Kohathites, Kohathite
Word Origin: [patronymically from H6955 (קְהָת - Kohath)]

1. a Kohathite (collectively) or descendants of Kehath

Kohathites

Patronymically from Qhath; a Kohathite (collectively) or descendants of Kehath -- Kohathites.

see HEBREW Qhath

Word Origin
from Qehath
Definition
desc. of Kohath
NASB Translation
Kohathite (2), Kohathites (13).

קְהָתִי adjective, of a people of foregoing, with article ׳הַקּ as substantive collective: ׳(ו־ֺת) הַקּ מִשְׁפַחַתּ Numbers 26:57 8t.; ׳בְּנֵי הַקּ Numbers 4:34; 1 Chronicles 6:18; 2Chronicles 29:12; plural הַקְּהָתּים Numbers 10:21 and ׳בְּנֵי הַקּ2Chronicles 20:19; 34:12. — Van d. H. has ( ם)הַקֳּהָתִי Numbers 3:27; Numbers 10:21 6t.

Meaning and Family Background

Kehathi designates a member of the Levitical clan descending from Kohath, second son of Levi (Genesis 46:11). Through Kohath came Amram, and from Amram were born Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, linking the Kohathites to Israel’s first mediator, high priesthood, and prophetic witness. The clan therefore stands close to the heart of Israel’s worship and covenant leadership.

Census and Wilderness Organization

In the Sinai census the Kohathite males numbered 8,600 (Numbers 3:27–28). The clan camped on the south side of the tabernacle, under the chief Elizaphan son of Uzziel (Numbers 3:29–30). A later tally of the service–age men (30-50) records 2,750 ready for duty (Numbers 4:34-37). Their service was supervised by Eleazar the priest, “chief over the leaders of the Levites” (Numbers 3:32).

Sacred Ministry Assigned

The Kohathites bore the most consecrated objects of the sanctuary—the Ark of the Covenant, the table of the Presence, the menorah, the altars, and the holy vessels (Numbers 4:4-15). Only after Aaron’s sons had wrapped each item “so that the Kohathites may carry them, but they must not touch the holy objects or they will die” (Numbers 4:15) could the transport begin. Their task upheld both the mobility and the holiness of divine worship.

Position in March and Camp Life

During departures the Kohathites marched after the Gershonites and Merarites. “Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the sanctuary, so that the tabernacle would be set up before their arrival” (Numbers 10:21). Their ordering ensured that the most sacred furniture never lagged behind nor preceded its protective coverings.

Settlement and Inheritance in Canaan

At the division of Levitical towns the Kohathites received cities within Ephraim and Manasseh, and priestly Kohathites—sons of Aaron—were given cities in Judah, Benjamin, and Simeon (Joshua 21:4, 10; 1 Chronicles 6:54-66). The distribution embedded their ministry among Israel’s heartland tribes and preserved access to temple service.

Musical and Liturgical Leadership

From the Kohathites arose noted temple musicians. Heman the singer, a grandson of Samuel, is introduced as “Heman the singer, son of Joel, son of Samuel” (1 Chronicles 6:33), heading one of three Levitical choirs. Their descendants helped maintain the chronicled duties of preparing the showbread (1 Chronicles 9:32) and stood at the forefront of Judah’s congregational praise.

Participation in National Revivals

• In Jehoshaphat’s crisis, “the Levites of the Kohathites and Korahites stood up to praise the LORD… with a very loud voice” (2 Chronicles 20:19), leading faith-filled worship before victory.
• During Hezekiah’s temple cleansing, Kohathites were among the first responders (2 Chronicles 29:12).
• In Josiah’s reform they served as faithful overseers of the repair crews (2 Chronicles 34:12).

Their readiness in every awakening highlights a pattern of spiritual reliability across centuries.

Historical Challenges and Preservation

Although Korah, a Kohathite, led a rebellion (Numbers 16), the line itself endured. “The sons of Korah did not die out” (Numbers 26:11), and later psalm superscriptions attribute inspired praise to them, evidencing grace that overruled ancestral failure.

Theological Significance

1. Holiness guarded: The Kohathites model reverent handling of sacred realities, reminding believers that access to God is by ordained mediation.
2. Service without visibility: They carried but did not view the holy articles once wrapped—an emblem of obedient faithfulness even when glory is veiled.
3. Continuity of worship: From wilderness travels to temple choirs, the clan’s history shows God’s provision for worship through every stage of redemptive history.

Representative Passages

Numbers 4:15; Numbers 10:21; 2 Chronicles 20:19; 2 Chronicles 29:12.

הַקְּהָתִ֑י הַקְּהָתִ֔י הַקְּהָתִ֔ים הַקְּהָתִ֖י הַקְּהָתִ֖ים הַקְּהָתִ֛י הַקְּהָתִֽי׃ הַקְּהָתִי֒ הקהתי הקהתי׃ הקהתים hakkehaTi hakkehaTim haq·qə·hā·ṯî haq·qə·hā·ṯîm haqqəhāṯî haqqəhāṯîmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts