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Nombramiento de los levitas

Esta es la descendencia de Aarón y de Moisés como quedó registrada cuando el Señor le habló a Moisés en el monte Sinaí. Los nombres de los hijos de Aarón eran Nadab (el mayor), Abiú, Eleazar e Itamar. Estos hijos de Aarón fueron ungidos y ordenados para ministrar como sacerdotes. Pero Nadab y Abiú murieron en la presencia del Señor, en el desierto de Sinaí, cuando quemaron ante el Señor una clase de fuego diferente a la que él había ordenado. Ya que ellos no tuvieron hijos, solo Eleazar e Itamar quedaron para ministrar como sacerdotes junto con su padre Aarón.

Entonces el Señor le dijo a Moisés: «Llama a los de la tribu de Leví, que pasen adelante y preséntalos al sacerdote Aarón para que sean sus ayudantes. Servirán a Aarón y a toda la comunidad en el desempeño de sus deberes sagrados dentro y alrededor del tabernáculo.[a] También cuidarán de todo el mobiliario de la carpa sagrada[b] y servirán en el tabernáculo en representación de todos los israelitas. Designa a los levitas como ayudantes de Aarón y de sus hijos porque de entre todo el pueblo de Israel ellos fueron dedicados para este propósito. 10 Nombra a Aarón y a sus hijos para que lleven a cabo los deberes del sacerdocio. Pero toda persona no autorizada que se acerque al santuario será ejecutada».

11 El Señor le dijo a Moisés: 12 «Mira, yo he escogido de entre los israelitas a los levitas para que sirvan como sustitutos de todo primer hijo varón del pueblo de Israel. Los levitas me pertenecen a mí 13 porque todos los primeros hijos varones son míos. El día que herí de muerte al primer hijo varón de cada familia egipcia, aparté para mí a todo primer nacido de Israel, tanto de personas como de animales. Ellos son míos. Yo soy el Señor».

Registro de los levitas

14 El Señor le habló de nuevo a Moisés en el desierto de Sinaí y le dijo: 15 «Registra los nombres de los miembros de la tribu de Leví, por sus familias y clanes. Anota en una lista a cada varón de un mes o más». 16 Entonces Moisés los anotó, tal como el Señor le había ordenado.

17 Leví tenía tres hijos llamados Gersón, Coat y Merari.

18 Los clanes descendientes de Gersón llevaban el nombre de dos de sus descendientes, Libni y Simei.

19 Los clanes descendientes de Coat llevaban el nombre de cuatro de sus descendientes, Amram, Izhar, Hebrón y Uziel.

20 Los clanes descendientes de Merari llevaban el nombre de dos de sus descendientes, Mahli y Musi.

Estos eran los clanes de los levitas, anotados según sus grupos de familia.

21 Los descendientes de Gersón estaban constituidos por los clanes descendientes de Libni y Simei. 22 Entre los gersonitas había siete mil quinientos varones de un mes o más. 23 Se les asignó el área occidental del tabernáculo para su campamento. 24 El jefe de los clanes gersonitas era Eliasaf, hijo de Lael. 25 Estos dos clanes eran responsables de cuidar el tabernáculo: la carpa sagrada con sus cubiertas y la cortina de la entrada, 26 las cortinas del atrio que rodeaban el tabernáculo y el altar, la cortina a la entrada del atrio, las cuerdas y todos los accesorios relacionados con su uso.

27 Los descendientes de Coat estaban constituidos por los clanes descendientes de Amram, Izhar, Hebrón y Uziel. 28 Entre los coatitas había ocho mil seiscientos[c] varones de un mes o más. Ellos eran responsables de cuidar el santuario, 29 y se les asignó el área sur del tabernáculo para su campamento. 30 El jefe de los clanes coatitas era Elizafán, hijo de Uziel. 31 Estos cuatro clanes eran responsables de cuidar el arca, la mesa, el candelabro, los altares, los diferentes objetos utilizados en el santuario, la cortina interior y todos los accesorios relacionados con su uso. 32 Eleazar, hijo del sacerdote Aarón, era el administrador principal a cargo de todos los levitas, con la responsabilidad particular de la supervisión del santuario.

33 Los descendientes de Merari estaban constituidos por los clanes descendientes de Mahli y Musi. 34 Entre los meraritas había seis mil doscientos varones de un mes o más. 35 Se les asignó el área norte del tabernáculo para su campamento. El jefe de los clanes meraritas era Zuriel, hijo de Abihail. 36 Estos dos clanes eran responsables de cuidar la estructura que sostenía el tabernáculo, los travesaños, los postes, las bases y todos los accesorios relacionados con su uso. 37 También eran responsables de los postes del atrio y de todas sus bases, estacas y cuerdas.

38 Delante del tabernáculo, hacia el oriente por donde sale el sol,[d] estaba el área reservada para las carpas de Moisés y las carpas de Aarón y sus hijos. Ellos tenían la máxima responsabilidad sobre el santuario en nombre del pueblo de Israel. Todo el que no fuera sacerdote o levita y se acercara al santuario, sería ejecutado.

39 Cuando Moisés y Aarón, por orden del Señor, contaron los clanes de los levitas, el número total de varones de un mes o más de edad llegó a veintidós mil.

Rescate del primer hijo varón

40 Entonces el Señor le dijo a Moisés: «Ahora cuenta a todos los primeros hijos varones que hay en Israel de un mes o más y anota sus nombres en una lista. 41 Los levitas tienen que ser apartados para mí, como sustitutos de todo primer hijo varón de Israel. Yo soy el Señor. Los animales de los levitas también serán apartados para mí, como sustitutos de la primera cría de los animales de la nación entera de Israel».

42 Entonces Moisés contó a los primeros hijos varones del pueblo de Israel, tal como el Señor le había ordenado. 43 El número de los primeros hijos varones de un mes o más llegó a 22.273.

44 Entonces el Señor le dijo a Moisés: 45 «Toma a los levitas como sustitutos de los primeros hijos varones del pueblo de Israel. Toma también los animales de los levitas como sustitutos de las primeras crías de los animales del pueblo de Israel. Los levitas me pertenecen a mí. Yo soy el Señor. 46 Los primeros hijos varones de Israel superan al número de levitas por doscientos setenta y tres. Para rescatar a esos primeros hijos varones que exceden, 47 recoge cinco piezas de plata[e] por cada uno de ellos. (Cada pieza pesa lo mismo que el siclo del santuario, que equivale a veinte geras). 48 Entrega la plata a Aarón y a sus hijos como precio de rescate de los primeros hijos varones que exceden al número de levitas».

49 Entonces Moisés recogió la plata por el rescate de los primeros hijos varones de Israel que superaron al número de levitas. 50 Reunió 1365 piezas de plata[f] como pago por los primeros hijos varones de Israel. (Cada pieza pesa lo mismo que el siclo del santuario). 51 Así que Moisés les dio la plata del rescate a Aarón y a sus hijos, tal como el Señor le había ordenado.

Footnotes

  1. 3:7 En hebreo alrededor de la carpa de reunión, dando servicio en el tabernáculo.
  2. 3:8 En hebreo la carpa de reunión; también en 3:25.
  3. 3:28 Algunos manuscritos griegos dicen 8300; ver el total en 3:39.
  4. 3:38 En hebreo por donde sale el sol, frente a la carpa de reunión.
  5. 3:47 En hebreo 5 siclos [57 gramos o 2 onzas].
  6. 3:50 En hebreo 1365 [siclos] de plata [15,5 kilos o 34 libras].

The Levites

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

The names of the sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn(C) and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.(D) Those were the names of Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests,(E) who were ordained to serve as priests. 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)

The Lord said to Moses, “Bring the tribe of Levi(J) and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.(K) 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. 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. 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

These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the Lord spake with Moses in mount Sinai.

And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.

And Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord, when they offered strange fire before the Lord, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father.

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.

And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.

And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.

And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.

10 And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

11 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

12 And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;

13 Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the Lord.

14 And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,

15 Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.

16 And Moses numbered them according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded.

17 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 families; Libni, and Shimei.

19 And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

20 And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.

21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

22 Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred.

23 The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.

24 And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael.

25 And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,

26 And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof.

27 And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.

28 In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.

29 The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward.

30 And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.

31 And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.

32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.

33 Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these are the families of Merari.

34 And those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were six thousand and two hundred.

35 And the chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail: these shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward.

36 And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto,

37 And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords.

38 But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

39 All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the Lord, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand.

40 And the Lord said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.

41 And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the Lord) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.

42 And Moses numbered, as the Lord commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel.

43 And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.

44 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

45 Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord.

46 And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;

47 Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:)

48 And thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons.

49 And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites:

50 Of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

51 And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.