41 The construction here is a little different. The Hebrew text uses the participle in construct plural: שֹׁמְרֵי (shomérey, literally “keepers of”). The form specifies the duties of the 8,600 Kohathites. The genitive that follows this participle is the cognate מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmeret) that has been used before. So the expression indicates that they were responsible for the care of this part of the cult center. There is no reason to delete one of the forms (as does J. A. Paterson, Numbers, 42), for the repetition stresses the central importance of their work.

In other versions

According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, there were 8,600, keeping guard over the sanctuary.

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

Counting every male one month old or more, there were 8,600 responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.

There were 8,600 males one month old or older among these Kohathite clans. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary,

According to the number of every male from one month and above there were eight thousand six hundred keeping the responsibility of the sanctuary.

In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.

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