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Numeri 3
BasisBijbel

De taken van de Levieten

3 Dit is de familie van Aäron en Mozes in de tijd dat de Heer met Mozes sprak op de berg Sinaï. 2 Dit zijn de zonen van Aäron. De oudste zoon heette Nadab. Verder Abihu, Eleazar en Itamar. 3 Zij waren door Mozes gezalfd om priesters te zijn. 4 Nadab en Abihu waren door de Heer gedood in de Sinaï-woestijn, toen ze onheilig vuur bij de Heer hadden gebracht. Maar Eleazar en Itamar waren priesters bij hun vader Aäron die hogepriester was. Nadab en Abihu hadden geen kinderen.

5 En de Heer zei tegen Mozes en Aäron: 6 "Laat de mannen van de stam van Levi bij Aäron komen. Zij moeten hem voortaan helpen. 7 Ze moeten Aäron en het volk dienen bij de tent van ontmoeting. 8 Ze moeten zorgen voor alle dingen die bij de tent van ontmoeting horen. En ze moeten Mij namens het volk dienen bij de tent van ontmoeting. 9 Alle Levieten zullen Aäron en zijn zonen helpen. Hen heb Ik daarvoor uit het volk Israël uitgekozen. 10 Maar alleen Aäron en zijn zonen mogen priesters zijn. Als iemand anders de taken van een priester doet, zal Ik hem doden."

11 En de Heer zei tegen Mozes: 12 "Ik neem uit het volk Israël de Levieten in plaats van alle oudste zonen. 13 De Levieten zullen van Mij zijn, net zoals alle oudste zonen en alle eerstgeboren dieren van Mij zijn. Sinds de dag dat Ik alle oudste zonen en alle eerstgeboren dieren van Egypte doodde, zijn alle oudste zonen en alle eerstgeboren dieren van Israël voor Mij. Ik ben de Heer."

14 En de Heer zei tegen Mozes in de Sinaï-woestijn: 15 "Tel alle Levieten volgens de families waar ze bij horen. Tel alle mannen van één maand oud en ouder." 16 Toen telde Mozes hen, zoals de Heer bevolen had.

17 De zonen van Levi waren Gerson, Kehat en Merari.

18 De zonen van Gerson waren Libni en Simeï.

19 De zonen van Kehat waren Amram, Jizhar, Hebron en Uzziël.

20 De zonen van Merari waren Mali en Musi.

Dat zijn de families van de Levieten.

De taken van de families van Gerson, Kehat en Merari

21 Uit Gerson ontstond de familie van Libni en de familie van Simeï. Zij zijn de Gersonieten. 22 Er waren bij hen 7500 mannen van één maand en ouder. 23 Ze moesten hun tenten opzetten langs de achterkant van de tent van ontmoeting, dus aan de westkant. 24 Ze werkten onder leiding van het familiehoofd Eljasaf, de zoon van Laël. 25 Ze moesten zorgen voor de tentkleden van de tent van ontmoeting, voor het gordijn van de ingang van de tent, 26 voor de doeken van de omheining, voor het gordijn van de ingang van de omheining, en voor de touwen van de omheining. Ze moesten daaraan alles doen wat er zoal aan gebeuren moet.

27 Uit Kehat ontstonden de families van Amram, Jizhar, Hebron en Uzziël. Zij zijn de Kehatieten. 28 Er waren bij hen 8600 mannen van één maand en ouder. Ze moesten zorgen voor de heilige voorwerpen in de tent van ontmoeting. 29 Ze moesten hun tenten opzetten langs de zuidkant van de tent van ontmoeting. 30 Ze werkten onder leiding van het familiehoofd Elizafan, de zoon van Uzziël. 31 Ze moesten zorgen voor de kist van het verbond, de tafel, de kandelaar, de altaren, de heilige voorwerpen die gebruikt werden in de tent van ontmoeting, en voor het gordijn vóór de allerheiligste kamer. Ze moesten daaraan alles doen wat er zoal aan gebeuren moet.

32 De leider van alle Levieten was Eleazar, de zoon van de priester Aäron. Hij had het opzicht over de mannen die dienst moesten doen in het heiligdom.

33 Uit Merari ontstonden de families van Mali en Musi. Zij zijn de Merarieten. 34 Er waren bij hen 6200 mannen van één maand en ouder. 35 Ze werkten onder leiding van het familiehoofd Zuriël, de zoon van Abihaïl. Ze moesten hun tenten opzetten langs de noordkant van de tent van ontmoeting. 36 Ze moesten zorgen voor de planken van de tent van ontmoeting, de dwarsbalken, de palen, de voetstukken, en alle dingen die daarbij horen. Ook moesten ze daar alles aan doen wat er zoal aan gebeuren moet. 37 Verder moesten ze zorgen voor de palen van de omheining, de voetstukken van die palen, de pinnen en de touwen.

38 Mozes, Aäron en de zonen van Aäron moesten vóór de tent van ontmoeting, dus aan de oostkant, hun tenten opzetten. Zij moesten namens de Israëlieten de Heer dienen in het heiligdom. Als iemand anders de tent binnen zou gaan, zou hij gedood worden.

39 Het aantal Levieten van één maand en ouder dat Mozes en Aäron op bevel van God telden, was 22.000 mannen.

De oudste zonen worden vrijgekocht

40 Toen zei de Heer tegen Mozes: "Tel alle mannen van de Israëlieten die de oudste zoon van hun gezin zijn en die één maand of ouder zijn. 41 Koop hen vrij door in hun plaats de Levieten te nemen. Verder moet je de eerstgeboren dieren van het vee van de Israëlieten vrijkopen met het vee van de Levieten. Ik ben de Heer." 42 Toen telde Mozes alle oudste zonen van de Israëlieten, zoals de Heer hem bevolen had. 43 Het waren in totaal 22.273 mannen.

44 Toen zei de Heer tegen Mozes: 45 "Koop met de Levieten alle oudste zonen vrij. En koop met het vee van de Levieten het vee van de Israëlieten vrij. Want de Levieten zijn van Mij. Ik ben de Heer. 46 Maar er zijn 273 méér oudste zonen dan dat er Levieten zijn. 47 Als losgeld voor die 273 oudste zonen moet je per persoon 5 sikkels zilver (55 gram) geven. Je moet die afmeten met de sikkel die in het heiligdom gebruikt wordt. Die sikkel is 20 gera (11 gram). 48 Dat geld moet je aan Aäron en zijn zonen geven. Zo koop je het aantal mannen vrij dat er méér is dan Levieten." 49 Toen haalde Mozes het losgeld op voor de mannen die er méér waren dan Levieten. 50 Het werd betaald door de oudste zonen van de Israëlieten. Het was 1365 sikkels zilver (15 kilo), gemeten met de sikkel die in het heiligdom gebruikt wordt. 51 Mozes gaf dat losgeld aan Aäron en zijn zonen, zoals de Heer het Mozes bevolen had.

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Okubala 3
Endagaano Enkadde nʼEndagaano Empya

Batabani ba Alooni

3 (A)Luno lwe lulyo lwa Alooni n’olwa Musa mu biseera Mukama mwe yayogerera ne Musa ku Lusozi Sinaayi.

2 (B)Gano ge mannya ga batabani ba Alooni: Nadabu, omubereberye, ne Abiku, ne Eriyazaali, ne Isamaali. 3 (C)Ago ge mannya ga batabani ba Alooni, abaafukibwako amafuta ag’omuzeeyituuni okuba bakabona, era abaayawulibwa okuweereza mu mulimu gw’obwakabona. 4 (D)Naye nno Nadabu ne Abiku baatondokera mu maaso ga Mukama ne bafa, kubanga baayokya ekiweebwayo eri Mukama Katonda n’omuliro ogutakkirizibwa nga bali mu ddungu ly’e Sinaayi. Tebaalina baana; bwe batyo, Eriyazaali ne Isamaali ne basigala nga be bokka abaaweerezanga nga bakabona ebbanga lyonna kitaabwe Alooni lye yamala nga mulamu.

Omuwendo gw’Abaleevi n’Emirimu gyabwe

5 Awo Mukama Katonda n’agamba Musa nti, 6 (E)“Leeta ab’omu kika kya Leevi[a] obakwase Alooni kabona bamuweerezenga. 7 (F)Banaamukoleranga emirimu era ne baweereza n’ekibiina kyonna awali Eweema ya Mukama ey’Okukuŋŋaanirangamu, nga bakola emirimu awali Eweema ya Mukama. 8 Banaalabiriranga ebintu byonna eby’omu Weema ya Mukama ey’Okukuŋŋaanirangamu, ne bakola emirimu gy’omu Weema ya Mukama nga batuukiriza ebyo byonna ebivunaanyizibwa abaana ba Isirayiri. 9 (G)Abaleevi onoobawanga eri Alooni ne batabani be; baweereddwa ddala Alooni nga baggyibwa mu baana ba Isirayiri. 10 (H)Onoolonda Alooni ne batabani be okubeera bakabona; naye bwe wanaabangawo omuntu omulala yenna n’asembera awatukuvu, anaafanga.”

11 Mukama Katonda n’ayongera okugamba Musa nti, 12 (I)“Laba, neetwalidde Abaleevi nga mbaggya mu baana ba Isirayiri mu kifo ky’abaana ababereberye abazaalibwa abakazi mu baana ba Isirayiri. Abaleevi banaabanga bange, 13 (J)kubanga byonna ebizaalibwa ebibereberye byange. Bwe natta ebibereberye byonna mu nsi y’e Misiri neeyawulira ebibereberye byonna mu Isirayiri okubeeranga ebyange, abantu n’ebisolo. Nze Mukama Katonda.”

14 Awo Mukama Katonda n’agamba Musa mu ddungu ly’e Sinaayi nti, 15 (K)“Bala Abaleevi bonna mu mpya zaabwe ne mu bika byabwe[b]. Bala buli mwana mulenzi ow’omwezi ogumu n’okusingawo.” 16 Bw’atyo Musa n’ababala nga Mukama Katonda bwe yamulagira, ng’ekigambo kya Mukama bwe kyali.

17 (L)Gano ge mannya ga batabani ba Leevi:

Gerusoni, ne Kokasi, ne Merali.

18 (M)Gano ge mannya g’abatabani ba Gerusoni ng’empya zaabwe bwe zaali:

Libuni ne Simeeyi.

19 (N)Bano be batabani ba Kokasi ng’empya zaabwe bwe zaali:

Amulaamu, ne Izukali ne Kebbulooni, ne Wuziyeeri.

20 (O)Bano be batabani ba Merali ng’empya zaabwe bwe zaali:

Makuli ne Musi.

Ebyo bye bika by’Abaleevi ng’empya za bakitaabwe bwe zaali.

21 (P)Mu Gerusoni mwe mwava oluggya lwa Abalibuni n’oluggya lwa Abasimeeyi; ezo nga z’empya za Abagerusoni.

22 Abaana aboobulenzi okuva ku w’omwezi ogumu ogw’obukulu n’okusingawo abaabalibwa baali kasanvu mu ebikumi bitaano (7,500).

23 Ab’omu Gerusoni nga baakusiisiranga ku ludda olw’ebugwanjuba emmanju wa Weema ya Mukama.

24 Omukulembeze w’empya za Abagerusoni yali Eriyasaafu mutabani wa Laeri.

25 (Q)Abagerusoni be banaabanga n’obuvunaanyizibwa obw’okulabirira Eweema ya Mukama ey’Okukuŋŋaanirangamu, nga balabirira ebigibikkako n’eggigi ery’omu mulyango oguyingira mu Weema, 26 (R)n’entimbe ez’omu luggya, n’entimbe ez’omu mizigo egiggulira ku luggya okwebungulula Weema n’ekyoto. Era banaalabiriranga n’emiguwa awamu n’ebintu byonna ebinaakozesebwanga ku mirimu egyo.

27 (S)Mu Kokasi mwe mwava oluggya lwa Abamulaamu, n’oluggya lwa Abayizukaali, n’oluggya lwa Abakebbulooni, n’oluggya lwa Abawuziyeeri; ezo z’empya za Abakokasi.

28 Abaana aboobulenzi okuva ku w’omwezi ogumu ogw’obukulu n’okusingawo abaabalibwa baali kanaana mu lukaaga[c] (8,600).

Abakokasi be baweebwa obuvunaanyizibwa okulabiriranga awatukuvu.

29 (T)Ab’omu Kokasi nga baakusiisiranga ku ludda olw’obukiikaddyo obwa Weema ya Mukama.

30 Omukulembeze w’empya za Abakokasi yali Erizafani mutabani wa Wuziyeeri.

31 (U)Abakokasi be baabanga n’obuvunaanyizibwa okulabirira Essanduuko ey’Endagaano, n’emmeeza, n’ekikondo ky’ettaala, n’ebyoto, n’ebintu eby’omu watukuvu ebikozesebwa mu kuweereza, n’eggigi; n’emirimu gyonna egyekuusa ku buweereza obwo.

32 Eriyazaali mutabani wa Alooni kabona ye yalondebwa okuba omukulu w’abakulembeze ba Abaleevi, era n’okulabirira abo abaaweerezanga mu watukuvu.

33 (V)Mu Merali mwe mwava oluggya lwa Abamakuli n’oluggya lwa Abamusi; ezo nga ze mpya za Abamerali.

34 Abaana aboobulenzi okuva ku w’omwezi ogumu n’okusingawo abaabalibwa baali kakaaga mu ebikumi bibiri (6,200).

35 (W)Omukulembeze w’empya za Abamerali yali Zuliyeeri mutabani wa Abikayiri;

Abamerali nga baakusiisiranga ku bukiikaddyo obwa Weema ya Mukama.

36 (X)Be baavunaanyizibwanga emikiikiro, n’empagi, n’ebikondo, n’ebikwata ku Weema ya Mukama byonna n’ebyekuusa ku mirimu gyayo. 37 Okwo baagattangako empagi zonna ezeebunguludde oluggya n’entobo zaazo, n’enkondo za Weema n’emiguwa.

38 (Y)Musa ne Alooni ne batabani baabwe baasiisiranga ku ludda olw’ebuvanjuba olwa Weema ya Mukama, okwolekera enjuba gy’eva mu maaso ga Weema ya Mukama ey’Okukuŋŋaanirangamu.

Baavunaanyizibwanga okulabirira awatukuvu ku lw’abaana ba Isirayiri.

Omuntu omulala yenna eyasembereranga awatukuvu, ng’ateekwa kufa.

39 (Z)Omuwendo gwonna ogw’Abaleevi abaabalibwa ng’empya zaabwe bwe zaali, nga mwe muli abaana aboobulenzi okuva ku w’omwezi ogumu n’okusingawo, nga Mukama Katonda bwe yalagira Musa ne Alooni, baali emitwalo ebiri mu enkumi bbiri (22,000).

Okubala Abasajja Ababereberye

40 (AA)Mukama Katonda n’agamba Musa nti, “Bala abaana ba Isirayiri bonna aboobulenzi ababereberye okuva ku mwana ow’omwezi ogumu n’okusingawo okole olukalala lw’amannya gaabwe gonna. 41 (AB)Era ojja kunfunira Abaleevi mu kifo ky’ababereberye ab’abaana ba Isirayiri, era onfunire n’ente ez’Abaleevi mu kifo ky’ente ez’abaana ba Isirayiri embereberye. Nze Mukama Katonda.”

42 Awo Musa n’abala abaana ba Isirayiri ababereberye nga Mukama Katonda bwe yamulagira. 43 (AC)Okugatta awamu abaana aboobulenzi ababereberye bonna okuva ku w’omwezi ogumu n’okusingawo abaabalibwa, nga n’amannya gaabwe gawandiikiddwa ku lukalala, baali emitwalo ebiri mu enkumi bbiri mu ebikumi bibiri mu nsanvu mu basatu.

44 Awo Mukama Katonda n’agamba Musa nti, 45 “Nfunira Abaleevi badde mu kifo ky’abaana ba Isirayiri ababereberye, n’ente z’Abaleevi zidde mu kifo ky’ente z’abaana ba Isirayiri, era Abaleevi banaabanga bange. Nze Mukama Katonda. 46 (AD)Okununula ababereberye ab’abaana ba Isirayiri ebikumi ebibiri mu ensanvu mu abasatu abasukkirira ku muwendo gw’Abaleevi abasajja, 47 (AE)onoddiranga gulaamu amakumi ataano mu ttaano ku buli omu, ng’ogeraageranyiza ku gulaamu kkumi n’emu ey’awatukuvu nga bw’eri, ye sekeri[d] ey’obuzito ze gulaamu kkumi n’emu n’ekitundu. 48 Ensimbi ez’okununula abaana ba Isirayiri abasukkiriramu oziwanga Alooni ne batabani be.”

49 Bw’atyo Musa n’asolooza ensimbi ez’okwenunula ku abo abaasukkirira ku muwendo gw’abo abaanunulibwa Abaleevi. 50 (AF)Yasolooza ku babereberye ab’abaana ba Isirayiri effeeza ey’obuzito obwa kilo kkumi na ttaano n’ekitundu, ng’engeraageranya ya sekeri y’awatukuvu bw’eri. 51 Musa n’addira ensimbi ez’okwenunula n’aziwa Alooni ne batabani be, ng’ekigambo kya Mukama bwe kyali, nga Mukama Katonda bwe yalagira Musa.

Footnotes

  1. 3:6 Kika kya Leevi baawukanira ddala ku bakabona, abaali bazzukulu ba Alooni. Abaleevi baayambanga bakabona.
  2. 3:15 Abaleevi tebaawandikibwanga kulwana mu magye, era kyebaava batabalibwa oluvannyuma lw’emyaka amakumi abiri egy’obukulu. Ekya babazanga, kwe kumanya abaana baabwe ababereberye (3:40-43).
  3. 3:28 ebiwandiiko ebirala bigamba kanaana mu bisatu
  4. 3:47 sekeri sekeri emu ze gulaamu kkumi n’emu n’ekitundu
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Numbers 3
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The Sons of Aaron(A)

3 Now these are the (B)records[a] of Aaron and Moses when the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. 2 And these are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab, the (C)firstborn, and (D)Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, (E)the anointed priests, [b]whom he consecrated to minister as priests. 4 (F)Nadab and Abihu had died before the Lord when they offered profane fire before the Lord in the Wilderness of Sinai; and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests in the presence of Aaron their father.

The Levites Serve in the Tabernacle

5 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 6 (G)“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. 7 And they shall attend to his needs and the needs of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting, to do (H)the work of the tabernacle. 8 Also they shall attend to all the furnishings of the tabernacle of meeting, and to the needs of the children of Israel, to do the work of the tabernacle. 9 And (I)you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are given entirely to [c]him from among the children of Israel. 10 So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, (J)and they shall attend to their priesthood; (K)but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”

11 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 12 “Now behold, (L)I Myself have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the children of Israel. Therefore the Levites shall be (M)Mine, 13 because (N)all the firstborn are Mine. (O)On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They shall be Mine: I am the Lord.”

Census of the Levites Commanded(P)

14 Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying: 15 “Number the children of Levi by their fathers’ houses, by their families; you shall number (Q)every male from a month old and above.”

16 So Moses numbered them according to the [d]word of the Lord, as he was commanded. 17 (R)These were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 18 And these are the names of the sons of (S)Gershon by their families: (T)Libni and Shimei. 19 And the sons of (U)Kohath by their families: (V)Amram, Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 20 (W)And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites by their fathers’ houses.

21 From Gershon came the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimites; these were the families of the Gershonites. 22 Those who were numbered, according to the number of all the males from a month old and above—of those who were numbered there were seven thousand five hundred. 23 (X)The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle westward. 24 And the leader of the father’s house of the Gershonites was Eliasaph the son of Lael. 25 (Y)The duties of the children of Gershon in the tabernacle of meeting included (Z)the tabernacle, (AA)the tent with (AB)its covering, (AC)the screen for the door of the tabernacle of meeting, 26 (AD)the screen for the door of the court, (AE)the hangings of the court which are around the tabernacle and the altar, and (AF)their cords, according to all the work relating to them.

27 (AG)From Kohath came the family of the Amramites, the family of the Izharites, the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites; these were the families of the Kohathites. 28 According to the number of all the males, from a month old and above, there were eight thousand [e]six hundred [f]keeping charge of the sanctuary. 29 (AH)The families of the children of Kohath were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle. 30 And the leader of the fathers’ house of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan the son of (AI)Uzziel. 31 (AJ)Their duty included (AK)the ark, (AL)the table, (AM)the lampstand, (AN)the altars, the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered, (AO)the screen, and all the work relating to them.

32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was to be chief over the leaders of the Levites, with oversight of those who kept charge of the sanctuary.

33 From Merari came the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari. 34 And those who were numbered, according to the number of all the males from a month old and above, were six thousand two hundred. 35 The leader of the fathers’ house of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. (AP)These were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle. 36 And (AQ)the appointed duty of the children of Merari included the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, its utensils, all the work relating to them, 37 and the pillars of the court all around, with their sockets, their pegs, and their cords.

38 (AR)Moreover those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tabernacle of meeting, were Moses, Aaron, and his sons, (AS)keeping charge of the sanctuary, (AT)to meet the needs of the children of Israel; but (AU)the outsider who came near was to be put to death. 39 (AV)All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the Lord, by their families, all the males from a month old and above, were twenty-two thousand.

Levites Dedicated Instead of the Firstborn

40 Then the Lord said to Moses: (AW)“Number[g] all the firstborn males of the children of Israel from a month old and above, and take the number of their names. 41 (AX)And you shall take the Levites for Me—I am the Lord—instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel.” 42 So Moses numbered all the firstborn among the children of Israel, as the Lord commanded him. 43 And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names from a month old and above, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.

44 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 45 (AY)“Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock. The Levites shall be Mine: I am the Lord. 46 And for (AZ)the redemption of the two hundred and seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, (BA)who are more than the number of the Levites, 47 you shall take (BB)five shekels for each one (BC)individually; you shall take them in the currency of the shekel of the sanctuary, (BD)the shekel of twenty gerahs. 48 And you shall give the money, with which the excess number of them is redeemed, to Aaron and his sons.”

49 So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those who were redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, (BE)one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 51 And Moses (BF)gave their redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 3:1 Lit. generations
  2. Numbers 3:3 Lit. whose hands he filled
  3. Numbers 3:9 Sam., LXX Me
  4. Numbers 3:16 Lit. mouth
  5. Numbers 3:28 Some LXX mss. three
  6. Numbers 3:28 taking care of
  7. Numbers 3:40 Take a census of
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Numbers 3
New International Version

The Levites

3 This is the account of the family of Aaron and Moses(A) at the time the Lord spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai.(B)

2 The names of the sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn(C) and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.(D) 3 Those were the names of Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests,(E) who were ordained to serve as priests. 4 Nadab and Abihu, however, died before the Lord(F) when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai.(G) They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar(H) served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.(I)

5 The Lord said to Moses, 6 “Bring the tribe of Levi(J) and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.(K) 7 They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community(L) at the tent of meeting by doing the work(M) of the tabernacle. 8 They are to take care of all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, fulfilling the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the tabernacle. 9 Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons;(N) they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him.[a] 10 Appoint Aaron(O) and his sons to serve as priests;(P) anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is to be put to death.”(Q)

11 The Lord also said to Moses, 12 “I have taken the Levites(R) from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring(S) of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine,(T) 13 for all the firstborn are mine.(U) 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.”(V)

14 The Lord said to Moses in the Desert of Sinai,(W) 15 “Count(X) the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more.”(Y) 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:(Z)

Gershon,(AA) Kohath(AB) and Merari.(AC)

18 These were the names of the Gershonite clans:

Libni and Shimei.(AD)

19 The Kohathite clans:

Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.(AE)

20 The Merarite clans:(AF)

Mahli and Mushi.(AG)

These were the Levite clans, according to their families.

21 To Gershon(AH) belonged the clans of the Libnites and Shimeites;(AI) 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.(AJ) 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(AK) and tent, its coverings,(AL) the curtain at the entrance(AM) to the tent of meeting,(AN) 26 the curtains of the courtyard(AO), the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,(AP) and the ropes(AQ)—and everything(AR) related to their use.

27 To Kohath(AS) belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites;(AT) these were the Kohathite(AU) clans. 28 The number of all the males a month old or more(AV) was 8,600.[b] The Kohathites were responsible(AW) for the care of the sanctuary.(AX) 29 The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side(AY) of the tabernacle. 30 The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan(AZ) son of Uzziel. 31 They were responsible for the care of the ark,(BA) the table,(BB) the lampstand,(BC) the altars,(BD) the articles(BE) of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain,(BF) and everything related to their use.(BG) 32 The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar(BH) son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible(BI) for the care of the sanctuary.(BJ)

33 To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites;(BK) these were the Merarite clans.(BL) 34 The number of all the males a month old or more(BM) 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.(BN) 36 The Merarites were appointed(BO) to take care of the frames of the tabernacle,(BP) its crossbars,(BQ) posts,(BR) bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,(BS) 37 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard(BT) with their bases, tent pegs(BU) and ropes.

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

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

40 The Lord said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn Israelite males who are a month old or more(CB) and make a list of their names.(CC) 41 Take the Levites for me in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites,(CD) and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites. I am the Lord.”(CE)

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,(CF) listed by name, was 22,273.(CG)

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.(CH) I am the Lord.(CI) 46 To redeem(CJ) the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites, 47 collect five shekels[c](CK) for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel,(CL) which weighs twenty gerahs.(CM) 48 Give the money for the redemption(CN) of the additional Israelites to Aaron and his sons.”(CO)

49 So Moses collected the redemption money(CP) from those who exceeded the number redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn of the Israelites(CQ) he collected silver weighing 1,365 shekels,[d](CR) 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.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 3:9 Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; some manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint (see also 8:16) to me
  2. Numbers 3:28 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts 8,300
  3. Numbers 3:47 That is, about 2 ounces or about 58 grams
  4. Numbers 3:50 That is, about 35 pounds or about 16 kilograms
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Numbers 3
English Standard Version

The Sons of Aaron

3 These are the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. 2 These are the names of the sons of Aaron: (A)Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, (B)the anointed priests, (C)whom he ordained to serve as priests. 4 (D)But Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father.

Duties of the Levites

5 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 6 (E)“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. 7 They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, (F)as they minister at the tabernacle. 8 They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle. 9 And (G)you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are (H)wholly given to him from among the people of Israel. 10 And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and (I)they shall guard their priesthood. But if (J)any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.”

11 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Behold, (K)I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine, 13 for (L)all the firstborn are mine. (M)On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the Lord.”

14 And the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, 15 “List the sons of Levi, by fathers' houses and by clans; (N)every male from a month old and upward you shall list.” 16 So Moses listed them according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded. 17 (O)And these were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon and Kohath and Merari. 18 And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: (P)Libni and Shimei. 19 And the sons of Kohath by their clans: (Q)Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 20 And the sons of Merari by their clans: (R)Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites, by their fathers' houses.

21 To Gershon belonged the clan of the Libnites and the clan of the Shimeites; these were the clans of the Gershonites. 22 Their listing according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward was[a] 7,500. 23 (S)The clans of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle on the west, 24 with Eliasaph, the son of Lael as chief of the fathers' house of the Gershonites. 25 And the (T)guard duty of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting involved (U)the tabernacle, (V)the tent with (W)its covering, (X)the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting, 26 (Y)the hangings of the court, (Z)the screen for the door of the court that is around the tabernacle and the altar, and (AA)its cords—all the service connected with these.

27 To Kohath belonged the clan of the (AB)Amramites and the clan of the Izharites and the clan of the Hebronites and the clan of the Uzzielites; these are the clans of the Kohathites. 28 According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, there were 8,600, keeping guard over the sanctuary. 29 The clans of the sons of Kohath were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle, 30 with (AC)Elizaphan the son of Uzziel as chief of the fathers' house of the clans of the Kohathites. 31 And their guard duty involved (AD)the ark, (AE)the table, (AF)the lampstand, (AG)the altars, the vessels of the sanctuary with which the priests minister, and (AH)the screen; all the service connected with these. 32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was to be chief over the chiefs of the Levites, and to have oversight of those who kept guard over the sanctuary.

33 To Merari belonged the clan of the Mahlites and the clan of the Mushites: these are the clans of Merari. 34 Their listing according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward was 6,200. 35 And the chief of the fathers' house of the clans of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. They were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle. 36 (AI)And the appointed guard duty of the sons of Merari involved the (AJ)frames of the tabernacle, (AK)the bars, (AL)the pillars, the bases, and all their accessories; all the service connected with these; 37 also (AM)the pillars around the court, with their bases and (AN)pegs and (AO)cords.

38 Those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, were Moses and Aaron and his sons, (AP)guarding the sanctuary itself, to protect[b] the people of Israel. And any outsider who came near was to be put to death. 39 All those listed among the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron listed at the commandment of the Lord, by clans, all the males from a month old and upward, were (AQ)22,000.

Redemption of the Firstborn

40 And the Lord said to Moses, “List all the firstborn males of the people of Israel, from a month old and upward, taking the number of their names. 41 (AR)And you shall take the Levites for me—I am the Lord—instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the people of Israel.” 42 So Moses listed all the firstborn among the people of Israel, as the Lord commanded him. 43 And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names, from a month old and upward as listed were 22,273.

44 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 45 (AS)“Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle. The Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord. 46 And (AT)as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites, 47 you shall take (AU)five shekels[c] per head; you shall take them according to (AV)the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahs[d]), 48 and give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for those who are over.” 49 So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the money, (AW)1,365 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary. 51 And Moses (AX)gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 3:22 Hebrew their listing was
  2. Numbers 3:38 Hebrew guard
  3. Numbers 3:47 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
  4. Numbers 3:47 A gerah was about 1/50 ounce or 0.6 gram
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