1
When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils.
2
Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings.
3
They brought as their gifts before the LORD six covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle.
4
The LORD said to Moses,
5
“Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the tent of meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man’s work requires.”
6
So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites.
7
He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites, as their work required,
8
and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.
9
But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible.