and they were for the sons of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, of the sons of Levi, because the lot was theirs first.
Parallel translations
- WEB and they were for the children of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for theirs was the first lot.
- KJV Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot.
- BSB to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because the first lot fell to them:
- NKJV which were for the children of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for the lot was theirs first.
- NLT to the descendants of Aaron, who were members of the Kohathite clan within the tribe of Levi, since the sacred lot fell to them first:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
These cities went to the sons of Aaron among the Kohathites, who received the first lot. The priestly family is given honored priority.
Overview
The text notes that Aaron's descendants drew the first lot, fittingly placing the priests first in the distribution. As those who served at the altar and made atonement for the people, their priority reflects the central importance of worship in Israel's life. Their settlement near Judah anticipates the priestly ministry that would later center on Jerusalem and find its fulfillment in Christ our High Priest.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Josh 21:4The lot came out for the families of the Kohathites. The children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had thirteen cities by lot out of the tribe of Judah, out of the tribe of the Simeonites, and out of the tribe of Benjamin.
- Exod 6:18The sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred thirty-three years.
- Num 3:2–4These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
- Num 4:2“Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ houses,
- Num 3:19The sons of Kohath by their families: Amram, and Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
- Num 3:27Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.
- Exod 6:20–26Amram took Jochebed his father’s sister to himself as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were a hundred and thirty-seven years.
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Original language
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