¹³ for all the firstborn are mine.^(A) When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether human or animal. They are to be mine. I am the Lord.”^(B)

¹⁴ The Lord said to Moses in the Desert of Sinai,^{(C) 15} “Count^(D) the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more.”^{(E) 16} So Moses counted them, as he was commanded by the word of the Lord.

These were the Levite clans, according to their families.

²¹ To Gershon^(N) belonged the clans of the Libnites and Shimeites;^(O) 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.^{(P) 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 tabernacle^(Q) and tent, its coverings,^(R) the curtain at the entrance^(S) to the tent of meeting,^{(T) 26} the curtains of the courtyard^(U), the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,^(V) and the ropes^(W)—and everything^(X) related to their use.

²⁷ To Kohath^(Y) belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites;^(Z) these were the Kohathite^(AA) clans. ²⁸ The number of all the males a month old or more^(AB) was 8,600.^[a] The Kohathites were responsible^(AC) for the care of the sanctuary.^{(AD) 29} The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side^(AE) of the tabernacle. ³⁰ The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan^(AF) son of Uzziel. ³¹ They were responsible for the care of the ark,^(AG) the table,^(AH) the lampstand,^(AI) the altars,^(AJ) the articles^(AK) of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain,^(AL) and everything related to their use.^{(AM) 32} The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar^(AN) son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible^(AO) for the care of the sanctuary.^(AP)

³³ To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites;^(AQ) these were the Merarite clans.^{(AR) 34} The number of all the males a month old or more^(AS) 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.^{(AT) 36} The Merarites were appointed^(AU) to take care of the frames of the tabernacle,^(AV) its crossbars,^(AW) posts,^(AX) bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,^{(AY) 37} as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard^(AZ) with their bases, tent pegs^(BA) and ropes.

³⁸ Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east^(BB) of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, in front of the tent of meeting.^(BC) They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary^(BD) on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.^(BE)

³⁹ The total number of Levites counted^(BF) at the Lord’s command by Moses and Aaron according to their clans, including every male a month old or more, was 22,000.^(BG)

⁴⁰ The Lord said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn Israelite males who are a month old or more^(BH) and make a list of their names.^{(BI) 41} Take the Levites for me in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites,^(BJ) and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites. I am the Lord.”^(BK)

⁴² So Moses counted all the firstborn of the Israelites, as the Lord commanded him. ⁴³ The total number of firstborn males a month old or more,^(BL) listed by name, was 22,273.^(BM)

⁴⁴ The Lord also said to Moses, ⁴⁵ “Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites are to be mine.^(BN) I am the Lord.^{(BO) 46} To redeem^(BP) the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites, ⁴⁷ collect five shekels^[b](BQ) for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel,^(BR) which weighs twenty gerahs.^{(BS) 48} Give the money for the redemption^(BT) of the additional Israelites to Aaron and his sons.”^(BU)

⁴⁹ So Moses collected the redemption money^(BV) from those who exceeded the number redeemed by the Levites. ⁵⁰ From the firstborn of the Israelites^(BW) he collected silver weighing 1,365 shekels,^[c](BX) according to the sanctuary shekel. ⁵¹ Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, as he was commanded by the word of the Lord.

The Kohathites

4 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: ² “Take a census^(BY) of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families. ³ Count^(BZ) all the men from thirty to fifty years of age^(CA) who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.