Exodus 6:18

KJV

And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath [were] an hundred thirty and three years.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the sons {H1121} of Kohath {H6955}; Amram {H6019}, and Izhar {H3324}, and Hebron {H2275}, and Uzziel {H5816}: and the years {H8141} of the life {H2416} of Kohath {H6955} were an hundred {H3967} thirty {H7970} and three {H7969} years {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sons of K'hat were'Amram, Yitz'har, Hevron and 'Uzi'el. K'hat lived to be 133 years old.

Berean Standard Bible

The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years.

American Standard Version

And the sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the years of the life of Kohath were a hundred thirty and three years.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 6:18 meticulously records the lineage of Kohath, a pivotal son of Levi, by naming his four sons—Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel—and specifying his remarkably long lifespan of 133 years. This seemingly straightforward genealogical entry is crucial within the broader narrative of Exodus, serving to establish the divine credentials and historical authenticity of the Mosaic leadership, particularly Moses and Aaron, as God orchestrates the liberation of Israel and prepares His chosen instruments for the unfolding covenant plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a significant genealogical section spanning [Exodus 6:14-25](/exodus/6-14-25 "Exodus 6:14-25 - Genealogies of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi"). Following God's powerful reaffirmation of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His promise to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage ([Exodus 6:2-8](/exodus/6-2-8 "Exodus 6:2-8 - God's Covenant Reaffirmed")), the narrative shifts to establishing the lineage of the key figures in the Exodus. By tracing the ancestry of Moses and Aaron back through Levi to Jacob, this genealogy serves to legitimize their divine appointment and authority. It is not merely a list but a theological statement, ensuring the reader understands that God's chosen leaders are part of a divinely ordained, historically verifiable plan, reinforcing the providential nature of the impending deliverance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, genealogies were far more than simple family trees; they were vital documents that established identity, affirmed tribal affiliation, validated claims to land or inheritance, and, critically, legitimized leadership roles, especially for priestly or royal lines. For the Israelites, meticulous genealogical records underscored their covenantal identity as God's chosen people. The Levites, in particular, had a unique and sacred role in Israelite worship and service, as they were set apart to minister to the Lord. This verse, therefore, provides the historical and cultural framework for understanding the authority and specific duties that would later be assigned to Kohath's descendants, particularly the Kohathites, who were uniquely tasked with bearing the most sacred objects of the Tabernacle ([Numbers 3:31](/numbers/3-31 "Numbers 3:31 - Duties of the Kohathites")). The detailed recording of lifespans also aligns with ancient practices of historical record-keeping, emphasizing the continuity and longevity of foundational families.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 6:18 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Providence and Election**, demonstrating God's meticulous hand in preparing individuals and families for His specific purposes, long before their roles become apparent. The very existence and longevity of these lineages underscore God's sovereign control over history. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, showing God working through generations to preserve the seed of Abraham and fulfill His promises. The detailed record of the Levites, who would become the priestly tribe, foreshadows the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant and its sacrificial system. Lastly, it emphasizes **Historical Authenticity**, grounding the miraculous events of the Exodus in verifiable human history and lineage, thereby providing a tangible basis for faith in God's real-world intervention and the legitimacy of the leaders He appointed, such as Moses and Aaron, whose lineage is traced directly through Kohath's son, Amram, as seen in [Exodus 6:20](/exodus/6-20 "Exodus 6:20 - Amram, Jochebed, Moses, and Aaron").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sons (Hebrew, _bên'_):** From the root meaning "to build," this term refers to a child, specifically a male offspring, but in a broader sense, it signifies a builder or perpetuator of the family name and lineage. In this context, it emphasizes the continuation of the family line of Kohath, crucial for establishing the Levitical ancestry.
* **Kohath (Hebrew, _Qᵉhâth'_):** Derived from an unused root meaning "to ally oneself," Kohath is presented here as a foundational patriarch of one of the three main Levitical clans (alongside Gershon and Merari). His name, though not explicitly defined in the text, implies a sense of connection or alliance, perhaps reflecting his integral role in the formation of the Levitical tribe, which was allied to God in service.
* **life (Hebrew, _chay'_); years (Hebrew, _shâneh'_):** _Chay_ refers to existence, vitality, or life itself, while _shâneh_ denotes a year as a revolution of time. Together, "years of the life" signifies the duration of Kohath's earthly existence. The precise mention of "an hundred thirty and three years" underscores the longevity of this patriarchal figure, a common feature in biblical genealogies that often highlights divine blessing and the continuity of the covenant line across significant spans of time.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel:"** This clause meticulously lists the four direct male descendants of Kohath. This enumeration is not arbitrary; each son represents a distinct branch of the Kohathite clan, which would later be assigned specific, sacred duties in the Tabernacle service. Amram is particularly significant as the father of Moses and Aaron, establishing the direct lineage of Israel's primary leaders. Izhar is notable as the father of Korah, whose rebellion against Moses and Aaron is recorded in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion"). Hebron and Uzziel also founded important Levitical families, whose descendants played roles in the Tabernacle and later Temple service.
* **"and the years of the life of Kohath [were] an hundred thirty and three years."** This segment provides Kohath's exact lifespan. The inclusion of this detail serves several purposes: it authenticates the historical record, provides chronological markers within the broader narrative of the Israelite sojourn in Egypt, and highlights the continuity of the generations. Such longevity was often seen as a sign of divine favor and allowed for the transmission of traditions and covenant knowledge across multiple generations, ensuring the preservation of the sacred lineage leading up to the Exodus.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Exodus 6:18, and indeed the broader passage of [Exodus 6:14-25](/exodus/6-14-25 "Exodus 6:14-25 - The Genealogies"), is **Genealogy**. This is a list of ancestors and their descendants, serving not just as a historical record but also as a theological statement. It establishes legitimacy, identity, and the fulfillment of divine promises through specific family lines. Closely related is **Enumeration**, the precise listing of names and numbers (like Kohath's lifespan), which lends an air of historical accuracy and meticulousness to the divine record. This precision reinforces the idea that God's plan is not vague but detailed and purposeful. The verse also functions as a **Historical Record**, anchoring the narrative of the Exodus in concrete, verifiable details about real people and their lifespans, thereby strengthening the credibility of the biblical account and the providential hand of God in human history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The detailed genealogy of Exodus 6:18, though seemingly a simple list, profoundly underscores God's meticulous providence and His sovereign control over history. It reveals that the divine plan for Israel's deliverance and the establishment of its priesthood was not a spontaneous act but the culmination of generations of careful preparation. God works through specific individuals and families, ensuring the right people are in place at the right time to fulfill His purposes. This verse, by validating the lineage of Moses and Aaron through Kohath, solidifies their God-ordained authority and the legitimacy of their roles in leading Israel, assuring the people that their leaders are divinely credentialed and part of a long-standing covenantal heritage.

* [Genesis 46:11](/genesis/46-11 "Genesis 46:11 - Sons of Levi")
* [Numbers 3:27-28](/numbers/3-27-28 "Numbers 3:27-28 - Kohathite Clans and Number")
* [1 Chronicles 6:1-3](/1_chronicles/6-1-3 "1 Chronicles 6:1-3 - Levitical Genealogies")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 6:18, often overlooked as a mere list of names and numbers, offers profound insights for contemporary faith. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's work is often generational, meticulously unfolding through individuals and families across time. Just as God precisely prepared the lineage of Moses and Aaron for their monumental task, He is similarly at work in our own lives and the lives of those around us, orchestrating circumstances and shaping our heritage for His greater purposes. This verse encourages us to recognize that even the seemingly "dry" or insignificant details of our lives, our family histories, and our personal journeys are known to God and can be part of His grand design. It invites us to consider the spiritual legacy we are building, not just for ourselves, but for future generations, trusting that God's faithfulness extends far beyond our immediate sight. We are called to embrace our place in God's ongoing story, knowing that our lives, like those of Kohath and his sons, are woven into the tapestry of His redemptive plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's meticulous attention to lineage in Exodus 6:18 encourage you about His care for the details of your own life and family history?**
* **In what ways might your own background or family heritage be a part of God's larger, providential plan, even if not immediately apparent?**
* **What spiritual legacy are you intentionally building for those who will come after you, inspired by the generational faithfulness seen in this verse?**

### FAQ
**Why are biblical genealogies so important?**

Answer: Biblical genealogies, such as the one found in [Exodus 6](/exodus/6 "Exodus 6 - Genealogies and God's Promise"), serve several crucial purposes beyond mere historical record. They establish identity and tribal affiliation, which were vital for inheritance rights and roles within Israelite society, especially for the priesthood or kingship. Theologically, they demonstrate God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises across generations, showing how He works through specific individuals and families to advance His redemptive plan. They also provide historical authenticity to the biblical narrative, grounding the miraculous events in verifiable human history.

**What is the significance of Kohath's lifespan of 133 years?**

Answer: The mention of specific lifespans, like Kohath's 133 years, reinforces the historical reality of the figures mentioned and the continuity of the generations leading up to the Exodus. While not carrying deep theological mystery in itself, it contributes to the overall picture of God's meticulous record-keeping and His sovereign oversight of the families through whom His covenant promises would be preserved and advanced. It highlights the longevity of the patriarchs, which allowed for the transmission of oral traditions and covenant knowledge, ensuring the preservation of the sacred lineage that would ultimately lead to the nation of Israel and, eventually, the Messiah. Such details underscore the literal, historical nature of the biblical account.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Exodus 6:18](/exodus/6-18 "Exodus 6:18 - Kohath's Lineage") details a specific lineage within the Old Covenant, it points forward to Christ in profound ways. The meticulous preservation of the Levitical line, from which priests and those who served the Tabernacle would come, foreshadows the ultimate High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. Though not of the Levitical line, Jesus fulfills its purpose by offering a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, establishing a superior priesthood "after the order of Melchizedek" ([Hebrews 7:11-28](/hebrews/7-11-28 "Hebrews 7:11-28 - Christ's Superior Priesthood")). Furthermore, the emphasis on a divinely prepared lineage for leadership and service anticipates Christ's own perfect human lineage, traced through both Abraham and David, which validates His claim as the promised Messiah and King ([Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - Genealogy of Jesus")). Thus, this genealogical record underscores God's faithful, generational work in preparing the way for the Incarnation and the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive plan in Jesus Christ, who is the true and final leader, priest, and deliverer for all humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 6:18

And the sons of Kohath [were], Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.

1 Chronicles 6:2

And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.

Numbers 3:19

And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

Numbers 26:57

¶ And these [are] they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites.