The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. The Kohathites were responsible for the care of the sanctuary.

The Kohathites

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron:

“This is the work of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things.

“After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, only then are the Kohathites to come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting.

But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”

The Numbering of the Levite Clans

Moses, Aaron and the leaders of the community counted the Kohathites by their clans and families.

But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible.

Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. The tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived.

The first lot came out for the Kohathites, according to their clans. The Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest were allotted thirteen towns from the tribes of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin.

Here are the men who served, together with their sons: From the Kohathites: Heman, the musician, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel,

Some of the Kohathites, their fellow Levites, were in charge of preparing for every Sabbath the bread set out on the table.

Kohathites

The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel—four in all.

Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Then these Levites set to work: from the Kohathites, Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah; from the Merarites, Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel; from the Gershonites, Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah;