Topical Encyclopedia The Kohathites were one of the four main divisions of the Levites, the tribe set apart for religious duties and service to the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The Kohathites themselves were descendants of Kohath, the second son of Levi, and were responsible for the care of the sanctuary's most sacred objects, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altars, and the sacred utensils used in the sanctuary service (Numbers 3:31).After the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the Levites were not given a specific territory like the other tribes. Instead, they were allotted cities within the territories of the other tribes, along with surrounding pasturelands for their livestock. This arrangement allowed the Levites to fulfill their religious duties throughout Israel. The Kohathites, being one of the Levite clans, received their share of cities as well. The cities given to the rest of the Kohathites, those not descended from Aaron the priest, were distributed among the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. According to Joshua 21:20-26, the following cities were allocated to the Kohathites: 1. Shechem (a city of refuge) in the hill country of Ephraim, along with its pasturelands. 2. Gezer with its pasturelands. 3. Kibzaim with its pasturelands. 4. Beth-horon with its pasturelands. 5. Eltekeh with its pasturelands. 6. Gibbethon with its pasturelands. 7. Aijalon with its pasturelands. 8. Gath-rimmon with its pasturelands. These cities were strategically located to ensure that the Levites could perform their religious duties and provide spiritual guidance to the people of Israel. The cities also served as centers of learning and worship, where the Levites taught the Law and facilitated the worship of Yahweh. The allocation of these cities reflects the importance of the Levites in maintaining the spiritual health of the nation. By living among the various tribes, the Levites were able to influence and guide the Israelites in their covenant relationship with God. The Kohathites, in particular, played a crucial role in preserving the sanctity of the sacred objects and ensuring that the worship practices adhered to the divine instructions given through Moses. The cities given to the Kohathites, therefore, were not merely places of residence but were integral to the religious and communal life of Israel. They served as reminders of the Levites' unique role and the centrality of worship and obedience to God in the life of the nation. Subtopics Cities of Refuge of the Hope of the Gospel Cities of Refuge: (The Way To) Christ Cities of Refuge: Afforded No Asylum to Murderers Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Easy of Access Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Open to all Manslayers Cities of Refuge: Strangers Might Take Advantage of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to not Protected Outside of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Obliged to Remain In, Until the High Priest's Death Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Were Put on Their Trial Cities were Called For: The Country in Which Built Cities were Called For: The Family of the Founder Cities were Called For: The Proprietor of the Land Cities were Frequently: Besieged Cities were Frequently: Burned Cities were Frequently: Depopulated Cities were Frequently: Made Heaps of Ruins Cities were Frequently: Pillaged Cities were Frequently: Razed and Sown With Salt Cities were Frequently: Stormed Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Famine Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Pestilence Cities: A Great Defence to a Country Cities: Afforded Refuge in Times of Danger Cities: Arranged in Streets and Lanes Cities: Artificial Mode of Supplying Water To Cities: Built in Desert Places Cities: Built in Pleasant Situations Cities: Built of Brick and Mortar Cities: Built of Brick and Slime Cities: Built of Stone and Wood Cities: Built with Compactness Cities: Built: Often of a Square Form Cities: Built: On Solid Foundations Cities: Designated as Merchant Cities: Designated as Treasure Cities: Designed for Habitations Cities: Different Kinds of Chariot Cities: Different Kinds of Commercial Cities: Different Kinds of Fenced Cities: Different Kinds of Levitical Cities: Different Kinds of Refuge Cities: Different Kinds of Royal Cities: Different Kinds of Store Cities: Different Kinds of Treasure Cities: Difficulty of Taking, Alluded To Cities: Government of, by Rulers Cities: Inhabitants of, Called Citizens Cities: Often Built to Perpetuate a Name Cities: Often Deserted on the Approach of an Enemy Cities: Often Fortified by Art Cities: Often Fortified by Nature Cities: Often Founded and Enlarged by Blood and Rapine Cities: Often Great and Goodly Cities: Often of Great Antiquity Cities: Prosperity of, Increased by Commerce Cities: Protected at Night by Watchmen Related Terms |
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