The Duties of the Kohathites
(Numbers 3:27–32; 1 Chronicles 23:12–20)

1Then the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer), 2“Take a census of the Kohathites (assembly) among the Levites (joined to) by their clans and families, 3men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.

4This service of the Kohathites (assembly) at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things. 5Whenever the camp sets out, Aaron (light bringer) and his sons are to go in, take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimony (the ark of the covenant)a with it. 6They are to place over this a covering of fine leather,b spread a solid blue cloth over it, and insert its poles.

7Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and place the plates and cups on it, along with the bowls and pitchers for the drink offering. The regular bread offering is to remain on it. 8And they shall spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover them with fine leather, and insert the poles.

9They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand used for light, together with its lamps, wick trimmers, and trays, as well as the jars of oil with which to supply it. 10Then they shall wrap it and all its utensils inside a covering of fine leather and put it on the carrying frame.

11Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with fine leather, and insert the poles. 12They are to take all the utensils for serving in the sanctuary, place them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine leather, and put them on the carrying frame.

13Then they shall remove the ashes from the bronze altar, spread a purple cloth over it, 14and place on it all the vessels used to serve there: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and sprinkling bowls—all the equipment of the altar. They are to spread over it a covering of fine leather and insert the poles.

15When Aaron (light bringer) and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites (assembly) shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties (burden) of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.

16Eleazar (God has helped) son of Aaron (light bringer) the priest shall oversee the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the daily grain offering, and the anointing oil. He has oversight of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including the holy objects and their utensils.”

17Then the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer), 18“Do not allow the Kohathite tribal clans to be cut off from among the Levites. 19In order that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron (light bringer) and his sons are to go in and assign each man his task and what he is to carry (burden). 20But the Kohathites are not to go in and look at the holy objects, even for a moment, or they will die.”

The Duties of the Gershonites
(Numbers 3:21–26; 1 Chronicles 23:7–11)

21And the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out), 22“Take a census of the Gershonites (exile) as well, by their families and clans, 23from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.

24This is the service of the Gershonite clans regarding work and transport (burden): 25They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting with the covering of fine leather over it, the curtains for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, 26the curtains of the courtyard, and the curtains for the entrance at the gate of the courtyard that surrounds the tabernacle and altar, along with their ropes and all the equipment for their service. The Gershonites will do all that needs to be done with these items.

27All the service of the Gershonites—all their transport duties (burden) and other work—is to be done at the direction of Aaron (light bringer) and his sons; you⁺ are to assign to them all that they are responsible to carry. 28This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the Tent of Meeting, and their duties shall be under the direction of Ithamar (coast of palms) son of Aaron (light bringer) the priest.

The Duties of the Merarites
(Numbers 3:33–37; 1 Chronicles 23:21–23)

29As for the sons of Merari (bitter), you are to number them by their clans and families, 30from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work of the Tent of Meeting.

31This is the duty for all their service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry (burden) the frames of the tabernacle with its crossbars, posts, and bases, 32and the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes, including all their equipment and everything related to their use. You⁺ shall assign by name the items that they are responsible to carry (burden).

33This is the service of the Merarite (bitter) clans according to all their work at the Tent of Meeting, under the direction of Ithamar (coast of palms) son of Aaron (light bringer) the priest.”

The Numbering of the Levite Clans

34So Moses (drawn out), Aaron (light bringer), and the leaders of the congregation numbered the Kohathites by their clans and families, 35everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 36And those numbered by their clans totaled 2,750. 37These were counted from the Kohathite clans, everyone who could serve at the Tent of Meeting. Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer) numbered them according to the command of the LORD {YHWH} through Moses.

38Then the Gershonites (exile) were numbered by their clans and families, 39everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 40And those numbered by their clans and families totaled 2,630. 41These were counted from the Gershonite (exile) clans who served at the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer) counted at the LORD’s {YHWH} command.

42And the Merarites (bitter) were numbered by their clans and families, 43everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 44The men registered by their clans numbered 3,200. 45These were counted from the Merarite (bitter) clans, whom Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer) numbered at the LORD’s {YHWH} command through Moses.

46So Moses (drawn out), Aaron (light bringer), and the leaders of Israel (he wrestles with God) numbered by their clans and families all the Levites 47from thirty to fifty years old who came to do the work of serving and carrying (burden) the Tent of Meeting. 48And the number of men was 8,580. 49At the LORD’s {YHWH} command through Moses (drawn out) they were numbered, and each one was assigned his work and burden (burden), as the LORD had commanded Moses.