Numbers 3:14-39 (New International Version)
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14
The LORD said to Moses in the Desert of Sinai,1
15
"Count2 the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more."3
16
So Moses counted them, as he was commanded by the word of the LORD.
17
These were the names of the sons of Levi:4 Gershon,5 Kohath6 and Merari.7
18
These were the names of the Gershonite clans: Libni and Shimei.8
19
The Kohathite clans: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.9
20
The Merarite clans:10 Mahli and Mushi.11 These were the Levite clans, according to their families.
21
To Gershon12 belonged the clans of the Libnites and Shimeites;13 these were the Gershonite clans.
22
The number of all the males a month old or more who were counted was 7,500.
23
The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle.14
24
The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael.
25
At the Tent of Meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle15 and tent, its coverings,16 the curtain at the entrance17 to the Tent of Meeting,18
26
the curtains of the courtyard19, the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,20 and the ropes21--and everything22 related to their use.
27
To Kohath23 belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites;24 these were the Kohathite25 clans.
28
The number of all the males a month old or more26 was "8,600.a The Kohathites were responsible27 for the care of the sanctuary.28
29
The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side29 of the tabernacle.
30
The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan30 son of Uzziel.
31
They were responsible for the care of the ark,31 the table,32 the lampstand,33 the altars,34 the articles35 of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain,36 and everything related to their use.37
32
The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar38 son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible39 for the care of the sanctuary.40
33
To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites;41 these were the Merarite clans.42
34
The number of all the males a month old or more43 who were counted was 6,200.
35
The leader of the families of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.44
36
The Merarites were appointed45 to take care of the frames of the tabernacle,46 its crossbars,47 posts,48 bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,49
37
as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard50 with their bases, tent pegs51 and ropes.
38
Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east52 of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, in front of the Tent of Meeting.53 They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary54 on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.55
39
The total number of Levites counted56 at the LORD's command by Moses and Aaron according to their clans, including every male a month old or more, was 22,000.57
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online)
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