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KnowledgeAid to Bible Understanding
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Discernment
A Hebrew word frequently rendered “discernment” is related to the word translated “understanding.” Both appear at Proverbs 2:3, which the translation by the Jewish Publication Society renders: “If thou call for understanding, and lift up thy voice for discernment . . . ” As with understanding, discernment involves seeing or recognizing things, but it emphasizes distinguishing the parts, weighing or evaluating one in the light of the others. One who unites knowledge and discernment controls what he says and is cool of spirit. (Prov. 17:27) The one opposing Jehovah displays lack of discernment. (Prov. 21:30) Through his Son God gives discernment (full understanding or insight).—2 Tim. 2:1, 7, NW, NE.
Thinking ability
Knowledge is also related to what is sometimes translated “thinking ability.” The Hebrew word can be used in a bad sense (evil ideas, schemes, devices) or a favorable one (shrewdness, sagacity). Thus the mind and thoughts can be directed to an admirable, upright end, or just the opposite. By paying close attention to the way Jehovah does things, and inclining one’s ears to all the various aspects of His will and purposes, one safeguards his own thinking ability, directing it into right channels. (Prov. 5:1, 2) Properly exercised thinking ability, harmonious with godly wisdom and knowledge, will guard a person against being ensnared by immoral enticements.—Prov. 2:10-12.
CAUTION IN GAINING KNOWLEDGE
Solomon apparently put knowledge in a negative light when saying: “For in the abundance of wisdom there is an abundance of vexation, so that he that increases knowledge increases pain.” (Eccl. 1:18) This would appear contrary to the general view of knowledge one finds in the Bible. However, it may be that Solomon here stresses again the vanity of human endeavors in all matters other than the carrying out of God’s commands. (Eccl. 1:13, 14) Thus, a man may gain knowledge and wisdom in many fields, or may explore deeply some specialized field, and such knowledge and wisdom may be proper in themselves, though not directly related to God’s declared purpose. Yet, with such increased knowledge and wisdom the man may well become more keenly aware of how limited his opportunities are to use his knowledge and wisdom due to his short life-span and due to the problems and bad conditions that confront and oppose him in imperfect human society. This is vexing, producing a painful sense of frustration. (Compare Romans 8:20-22; Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14; see ECCLESIASTES.) Thus, too, the knowledge obtained by ‘devotion to many books,’ unless tied in with, and put to use in, the carrying out of God’s commands is “wearisome to the flesh.”—Eccl. 12:12.
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KoaAid to Bible Understanding
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KOA
(Koʹa).
A people or region mentioned with Pekod and Shoa at Ezekiel 23:23 and foretold by Jehovah to supply part of the enemy forces that would assault unfaithful Jerusalem and Judah. Koa was probably located E of Babylonia and has been generally linked with the Kutu (or Ku), a people who resided E of the Tigris on the steppes between the upper ʼAdhaim and Diyala Rivers. The Kutu are frequently coupled with the Sutu (perhaps the Shoa of Ezekiel 23:23) in Assyrian inscriptions, such records showing them as fighting against Assyria.
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KohathAid to Bible Understanding
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KOHATH
(Koʹhath) [assembly].
The second named of the three sons of Levi (Gen. 46:11; Ex. 6:16; 1 Chron. 6:1) and father of Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. (Ex. 6:18; Num. 3:19; 1 Chron. 6:2) He was the progenitor of the Kohathites, one of the three main divisions of the Levites. (Num. 3:17, 27) He was likely born in the land of Canaan, and is listed among the sixty-six souls who “came to Jacob into Egypt.” (Gen. 46:8, 11, 26; see, however, BENJAMIN No. 1.) Kohath’s descendants included Moses, Aaron, Miriam (Ex. 6:18, 20; Num. 26:58, 59) and rebellious Korah. (Num. 16:1-3) Kohath lived 133 years.—Ex. 6:18.
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KohathiteAid to Bible Understanding
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KOHATHITE
(Koʹhath·ite).
A descendant of the family head Kohath, who was one of the three sons of Levi. (Gen. 46:11; Num. 26:57) The “Kohathites” or “sons of Kohath” were divided into four families, being descendants of the four sons of Kohath: the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites. (Num. 3:19, 27) Their chieftain at the time of Israel’s encampment at Mount Sinai (1513 B.C.E.) was Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. (Num. 3:30) Moses and Aaron were Kohathites of the Amramite family (Ex. 6:18, 20), and rebellious Korah was a Kohathite of the family of the Izharites (Num. 16:1), as was the faithful prophet Samuel.—1 Sam. 1:1, 19, 20; 1 Chron. 6:33-38.
The census taken in the wilderness of Sinai revealed that there were 8,600 males a month old and upward belonging to the families of the Kohathites. (Num. 3:27, 28) Their males between thirty and fifty years of age “who entered into the service group for the service in the tent of meeting” numbered 2,750.—Num. 4:34-37.
During the wilderness trek, the Kohathites were assigned to camp on the S side of the tabernacle (Num. 3:29), between it and the encampment of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon and Gad. (Num. 2:10, 12, 14) The Kohathites had the privilege and responsibility of transporting the ark of the covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altars and the utensils of the holy place, as well as the screen of the Most Holy (Num. 3:30, 31), after these items were packed and covered by Aaron and his sons, who were also Kohathites. The Kohathites other than Aaron and his sons were not allowed to see the utensils even for a moment, or to touch the holy place, for doing so would mean death. (Num. 4:4-15, 20) Though Israel provided the Levites with cattle and wagons for transporting the tabernacle equipment, the Kohathites were not given any. Doubtless because of the sacredness of their burdens, they carried their loads on the shoulder. (Num. 7:2-9) They were the last of the Levites to pull away from an encampment.—Num. 10:17-21.
After the conquest of Canaan, when the Levites were assigned certain cities, the Kohathites received twenty-three, thirteen being assigned to the sons of Aaron out of the territories of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin and the other ten to the rest of the Kohathites from the territories of Ephraim, Dan and the half tribe of Manasseh.—Josh. 21:1-5, 9-26; 1 Chron. 6:54-61, 66-70.
Heman, a Kohathite of the family of Izhar, was given a position by David in connection with the singing at Jehovah’s sanctuary. (1 Chron. 6:31-38) One hundred and twenty Kohathites under Uriel their chief were among those whom David appointed to bring the ark of Jehovah from the house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem, on which occasion Heman figured prominently in the music and singing. (1 Chron. 15:4, 5, 11-17, 19, 25) According to First Chronicles, when David divided the Levites into courses or divisions, some Kohathites were singers (25:1, 4-6) and gatekeepers (26:1-9); others were in charge of the stores and things made holy (26:23-28), and some acted as officers, judges and administrators. (26:29-32) Certain Kohathites looked after baking and the preparation of layer bread for the sabbath.—1 Chron. 9:31, 32.
The Kohathites praised Jehovah upon learning that he would give Judah under Jehoshaphat victory over the combined forces of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir. (2 Chron. 20:14-19) Kohathite Levites participated in cleansing the house of Jehovah in King Hezekiah’s day. (2 Chron. 29:12-17) Also, Kohathites Zechariah and Meshullam were among those acting as overseers when King Josiah repaired the temple.—2 Chron. 34:8-13.
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