Interesting Facts

• Kohath was one of the three sons born to Levi and his wife Adinah (also known as Melka) before the descent of Jacob’s family into Egypt.
• Along with his father Levi and his brothers Gershon and Merari, Kohath is designated with the future responsibility of carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord when the Israelites would be encamped, as mentioned in the text of Jasher during Jacob’s final commands. This suggests a significant future role within the religious life of the Israelite community.
• His birth occurred in the land of Canaan before the family’s move to Egypt.

Genealogy

• Kohath was a son of Levi and Adinah. His mother, Adinah, was the daughter of Jobab, son of Yoktan, a descendant of Eber.
• He had two brothers born before the family went to Egypt: Gershon and Merari.
• He also had a sister named Jochebed, who was born to Levi and Adinah during their journey down to Egypt.
• His paternal grandfather was Jacob, and his paternal grandmother was Leah.

Historical Context

Kohath lived during the time when Jacob and his family were residing in Canaan, a period marked by the growth of Jacob’s lineage into a larger familial group. This was before the significant events involving Joseph and the subsequent descent of the entire family into Egypt. The anticipation of carrying the Ark of the Covenant points to the nascent development of religious practices and roles within Jacob’s family, even prior to their experiences in Egypt and the Exodus. Jacob’s instructions concerning Levi and his sons highlight the early assignment of specific duties related to the future religious artifacts of the Israelite people.

Narrative

The narrative pertaining to Kohath within these sources is primarily genealogical, establishing him as one of the sons of Levi born in Canaan before the family’s relocation to Egypt. While the provided texts do not detail any specific actions or personal interactions involving Kohath during this early period, his existence is crucial for understanding the development of the tribe of Levi, which would later hold significant religious responsibilities within the Israelite nation. The future role assigned to Levi and his sons, including Kohath, regarding the Ark of the Covenant, as mentioned in Jacob’s final instructions, foreshadows the important religious functions that Kohath’s lineage would eventually fulfill [referencing previous turn]. His birth and inclusion in Levi’s offspring represent a step in the continuity of Jacob’s family and the unfolding of their divinely ordained future.