Numbers 4:2

2 "Take a census of the Levites who are descended from Kohath. List them by families and households.

Numbers 4:2 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 4:2

Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of
Levi
They were to begin with them first, and number them:

after their families, by the house of their fathers;
as many as were of the age after mentioned; and the reason why they began with Kohath, and not Gershon, the eldest son, as in the former numbering, was; not as Aben Ezra suggests, because of Moses and Aaron, who sprung from him, for that, if it had any strength in it, would have held good before; but rather, as Chaskuni and others, because the Kohathites carried the ark and other holy things; though the true reason seems to be, because of the order observed in taking down the tabernacle, and removing the parts of it, and the things in it; and it was most proper and reasonable, when they were about to take it down, first to take out the ark, table which was the business of the Kohathites to carry; next to take down the curtains, coverings, and hangings for the tabernacle and court, and the doors thereof, which were the charge of the Merarites; wherefore, in this order the sum out of each of them fit for business were ordered to be numbered.

Numbers 4:2 In-Context

1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

2 "Take a census of the Levites who are descended from Kohath. List them by families and households.

3 Register all the men between the ages of 30 and 50 who are qualified to work at the tent of meeting.

4 "This is the work the Kohathites will do in the tent of meeting: They will take care of the most holy things.

5 When the camp is supposed to move, Aaron and his sons will go in and take down the canopy that hangs over the ark containing the words of God's promise. First they will cover the ark with the canopy.