Numbers 4:37

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

These [were] they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

Complete Jewish Bible:

These are the ones counted from the K'hat families of all those serving in the tent of meeting, whom Moshe and Aharon enumerated, in keeping with the order given by ADONAI through Moshe.

Berean Standard Bible:

These were counted from the Kohathite clans, everyone who could serve at the Tent of Meeting. Moses and Aaron numbered them according to the command of the LORD through Moses.

American Standard Version:

These are they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that did serve in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Jehovah by Moses.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

These were they that were numbered{H6485} of the families{H4940} of the Kohathites{H6956}, all that might do service{H5647} in the tabernacle{H168} of the congregation{H4150}, which Moses{H4872} and Aaron{H175} did number{H6485} according to the commandment{H6310} of the LORD{H3068} by the hand{H3027} of Moses{H4872}.

Cross-References (KJV):


Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:


Commentary for Numbers 4:37



Numbers 4:37 is a verse from the Old Testament that falls within the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Pentateuch, traditionally attributed to Moses, and it details the census, laws, and events that occurred during this pivotal period in Israel's history.

In this particular verse, we find a summary statement regarding the Kohathites, who were one of the four principal clans of the Levites, the tribe set apart for priestly duties in ancient Israel. The verse concludes the detailed account of the census of the Kohathite division, which began in Numbers 4:2. According to the command of the Lord given to Moses, the Kohathites were to be numbered to determine those who were eligible to serve in the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that was the central place of worship for the Israelites during their wanderings.

The historical context of this verse is significant because it reflects the meticulous organization and division of labor among the Levites, who were entrusted with the care and transportation of the sacred objects of the tabernacle. The Kohathites, in particular, were responsible for the most holy items, such as the ark of the covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, and the altars, although they were not to touch the holy things themselves, lest they die (Numbers 4:15). The enumeration and assignment of duties underscore the importance of adhering to divine instructions and the sanctity of worship in the life of the Israelite community.

The themes present in Numbers 4:37 include divine order, the sanctity of priestly service, and the necessity of following God's commandments as mediated through Moses. This verse emphasizes the structured nature of Israel's religious life and the careful attention to detail that was required in the service of the tabernacle, which prefigured the later temple worship in Jerusalem. It also highlights the role of Moses and Aaron as leaders who were responsible for ensuring that God's instructions were carried out precisely, thus maintaining the purity and integrity of Israel's worship practices.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H6485
    There are 270 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פָּקַד
    Transliteration: pâqad
    Pronunciation: paw-kad'
    Description: a primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.; appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want.
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. Strong's Number: H5647
    There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָבַד
    Transliteration: ʻâbad
    Pronunciation: aw-bad'
    Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,
  5. Strong's Number: H168
    There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֹהֶל
    Transliteration: ʼôhel
    Pronunciation: o'-hel
    Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.
  6. Strong's Number: H4150
    There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מוֹעֵד
    Transliteration: môwʻêd
    Pronunciation: mo-ade'
    Description: or מֹעֵד; or (feminine) מוֹעָדָה; (2 Chronicles 8:13), from יָעַד; properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally ayear; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand); appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed).
  7. Strong's Number: H4872
    There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
    Transliteration: Môsheh
    Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
    Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
  8. Strong's Number: H175
    There are 480 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אַהֲרוֹן
    Transliteration: ʼAhărôwn
    Pronunciation: a-har-one'
    Description: of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses; Aaron.
  9. Strong's Number: H6310
    There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פֶּה
    Transliteration: peh
    Pronunciation: peh
    Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word.
  10. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
  11. Strong's Number: H3027
    There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָד
    Transliteration: yâd
    Pronunciation: yawd
    Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.