Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 4:2
Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,
2, 3. sons of Kohath, from thirtyyears old and upwardThis age was specifically fixed (see on Nu8:24) as the full maturity of bodily energy to perform thelaborious duties assigned them in the wilderness, as well as ofmental activity to assist in the management of the sacred services.And it was the period of life at which John the Baptist and Christentered on their respective ministries.
even unto fiftyTheterm prescribed for active duty was a period of twenty years, at theend of which they were exempted from the physical labors of theoffice, though still expected to attend in the tabernacle (Nu8:26).
all that enter into thehostso called from their number, the order and disciplinemaintained through their ranks, and their special duty as guards ofthe tabernacle. The Hebrew word, however, signifies also astation or office; and hence the passage may be rendered, “Allthat enter into the sacerdotal office” (Nu4:23).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi,…. They were to begin with them first, and number them:
after their families, by the house of their fathers; as many as were of the age after mentioned; and the reason why they began with Kohath, and not Gershon, the eldest son, as in the former numbering, was; not as Aben Ezra suggests, because of Moses and Aaron, who sprung from him, for that, if it had any strength in it, would have held good before; but rather, as Chaskuni and others, because the Kohathites carried the ark and other holy things; though the true reason seems to be, because of the order observed in taking down the tabernacle, and removing the parts of it, and the things in it; and it was most proper and reasonable, when they were about to take it down, first to take out the ark, table, c. which was the business of the Kohathites to carry next to take down the curtains, coverings, and hangings for the tabernacle and court, and the doors thereof, which were the charge of the Merarites; wherefore, in this order the sum out of each of them fit for business were ordered to be numbered.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Service of the Kohathites, and the number qualified for service. – Num 4:2, Num 4:3. “ Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi: ” i.e., by raising them out of the sum total of the Levites, by numbering them first and specially, viz., the men from 30 to 50 years of age, “ every one who comes to the service, ” i.e., who has to enter upon service “ to do work at the tabernacle.” ( Angl. ‘ host’) signifies military service, and is used here with special reference to the service of the Levites as the militia sacra of Jehovah.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
IV.
(2) Of the sons of Kohath . . . Kohath appears to have been the second son of Levi (Num. 3:17), but the Kohathites here stand first because Moses and Aaron belonged to them, and it was their office to bear the Ark.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Num 4:2 Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,
Ver. 2. Of the sons of Kohath. ] Kohath was not Levi’s firstborn, but Gershom: and yet he hath the pre-eminence, and chief charge, as of the ark, tables, candlestick, altars, &c., Num 3:31 perhaps because Moses and Aaron were of that family.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Num 3:19, Num 3:27
Reciprocal: Num 4:34 – General Jos 21:10 – General 1Ch 15:2 – None ought to 1Ch 23:3 – the Levites 2Ch 29:12 – Kohathites