The Census of the Kohathites is a significant event recorded in the Book of Numbers, specifically in Numbers 4:1-20. This census was part of a broader enumeration of the Levite clans, which included the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites. The Kohathites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, the tribe set apart for religious duties and service to the Tabernacle.

Biblical Context

The Kohathites were descendants of Kohath, the second son of Levi, and were entrusted with the care of the most sacred objects of the Tabernacle. The census was commanded by God to Moses and Aaron as the Israelites were encamped at Mount Sinai, preparing for their journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land.

Scriptural Account

In Numbers 4:2-4 , the Lord instructs Moses and Aaron: "Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families, men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. This service of the Kohathites at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things."

The Kohathites were responsible for the care and transportation of the most sacred elements of the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, the Altars, and the sacred utensils. These items were to be covered by Aaron and his sons before the Kohathites could approach them, ensuring that the Kohathites did not touch or see the holy objects directly, as this would result in death (Numbers 4:15).

Duties and Responsibilities

The Kohathites' duties were distinct from those of the other Levitical clans. While the Gershonites and Merarites were responsible for the curtains, coverings, and structural components of the Tabernacle, the Kohathites were charged with the most sacred duties. Their service required a high level of reverence and precision, reflecting the holiness of the objects they were entrusted to carry.

Numbers 4:17-20 further emphasizes the gravity of their responsibilities: "Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 'Do not allow the Kohathite tribal clans to be cut off from among the Levites. In order that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go in and assign each man his task and what he is to carry. But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.'"

Significance

The census of the Kohathites underscores the importance of order, reverence, and obedience in the service of God. It highlights the sacredness of the objects associated with worship and the necessity of approaching them with the utmost respect and care. The Kohathites' role in the transportation of the Tabernacle's most holy items illustrates the broader theme of holiness and the separation of the sacred from the profane, a recurring motif throughout the Pentateuch.

The Kohathites' service also foreshadows the New Testament understanding of the priesthood of all believers, where reverence and holiness remain central to the worship and service of God. Their careful handling of the holy objects serves as a reminder of the sanctity required in approaching God, a principle that continues to resonate in Christian theology and practice.