And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.

NUMBERS 3:30KJV
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Numbers 3:30 (KJV)

What does Numbers 3:30 mean?

Numbers 3:30 identifies Elizaphan as the leader responsible for the Kohathite family groups. The Kohathites were one branch of the Levites, the people assigned duties connected with Israel’s sacred tent.

The phrase “house of the father” refers to a family group traced through a common male ancestor, not to a building. Elizaphan’s identification as “the son of Uzziel” places him within that family line.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 3:30

  • “chief” — נָשִׂיא (nasi): This word can mean a leader or a person in authority. Here it identifies Elizaphan as the head of a family group.
  • “families” — מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah): This word can describe an extended family or clan. The Kohathites consisted of more than one such group, rather than a single household.

Why Numbers 3:30 matters

  • The verse identifies a particular leader for the Kohathites. Their “chief” is named as Elizaphan, distinguishing his position from the duties shared by the family groups.
  • Elizaphan belonged to one of the Kohathite family lines. Numbers 3:27 names Uzziel among those whose descendants formed the Kohathite families.

Where else these words appear

“Elizaphan” Hebrew H469 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 6:22 And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri.
  • Leviticus 10:4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.
  • 1 Chronicles 15:8 Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:

“Kohathites” Hebrew H6956 · used in 15 verses

  • Numbers 3:27 And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.
  • Numbers 10:21 And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:54 Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.

“Uzziel” Hebrew H5816 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 6:18 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.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:2 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:20 Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah the first, and Jesiah the second.

“chief” Hebrew H5387 · used in 120 verses

  • Genesis 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
  • Numbers 7:60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered:
  • 2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.