King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites [shall be] Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The chief of the K'hat clan was Elitzafan the son of 'Uzi'el.
Berean Standard Bible:
and the leader of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan son of Uzziel.
American Standard Version:
And the prince of the fathers’ house of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the chief{H5387} of the house{H1004} of the father{H1} of the families{H4940} of the Kohathites{H6956} shall be Elizaphan{H469} the son{H1121} of Uzziel{H5816}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Numbers 3:30
1. Themes:
- **Leadership and Organization**: The verse emphasizes the importance of having clear leadership within the tribe of Levi, specifically the Kohathites, one of the three main Levite clans responsible for the care of the Tabernacle.
- **Divine Appointment**: The mention of Elizaphan as the chief suggests a divinely sanctioned hierarchy, as God appointed leaders to oversee various aspects of Israelite society.
- **Genealogy and Heritage**: The lineage of Elizaphan is traced back to Uzziel, highlighting the significance of ancestry in establishing one's position and responsibilities within the community.
2. Historical Context:
- **Time of the Exodus**: The book of Numbers is set during the time of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt.
- **Census and Organization**: Numbers 3 records the census of the Levites and the organization of their duties in serving the Tabernacle. This was crucial as the Levites were tasked with carrying the Tabernacle and its sacred objects during the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land.
- **Roles and Responsibilities**: The Kohathites were responsible for the most holy items within the Tabernacle, such as the ark, table, lampstand, and altars. Elizaphan, as the chief, would have had significant responsibility in overseeing these tasks.
- **Levitical Service**: The Levites, unlike the other tribes of Israel, did not receive a territorial inheritance. Instead, their service in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) was their inheritance, and they were supported by the tithes and offerings of the other tribes.
In summary, Numbers 3:30 reflects the themes of appointed leadership, the importance of lineage, and the structured organization of the Levitical priesthood during the wilderness period, as the Israelites were being formed into a nation with distinct roles and responsibilities under God's guidance.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5387
There are 120 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשִׂיא
Transliteration: nâsîyʼ
Pronunciation: naw-see'
Description: or נָשִׂא; from נָשָׂא; properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist; captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); 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). - Strong's Number: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - Strong's Number: H4940
There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּחָה
Transliteration: mishpâchâh
Pronunciation: mish-paw-khaw'
Description: from שָׁפָה (compare שִׁפְחָה); a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people; family, kind(-red). - Strong's Number: H6956
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֳהָתִי
Transliteration: Qŏhâthîy
Pronunciation: ko-haw-thee'
Description: patronymically from קְהָת; a Kohathite (collectively) or descendants of Kehath; Kohathites. - Strong's Number: H469
There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלִיצָפָן
Transliteration: ʼĔlîytsâphân
Pronunciation: el-ee-tsaw-fawn'
Description: or (shortened) אֶלְצָפָן; from אֵל and צָפַן; God of treasure; Elitsaphan or Eltsaphan, an Israelite; Elizaphan, Elzaphan. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [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. - Strong's Number: H5816
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֻזִּיאֵל
Transliteration: ʻUzzîyʼêl
Pronunciation: ooz-zee-ale'
Description: from עֹז and אֵל; strength of God; Uzziel, the name of six Israelites; Uzziel.