Añadir traducción en paralelo Imprimir Opciones de la página

First census

The Lord spoke to Moses in the Sinai desert in the meeting tent on the first day of the second month,[a] in the second year after they left the land of Egypt: Take a census of the entire Israelite community by their clans and their households, recording the name of every male, 20 years old and above, who is eligible for military service in Israel. These you and Aaron will enlist in their military units. Take with you one man from each tribe who is the head of his household. These are the names of the men who will assist you:

from Reuben, Elizur, Shedeur’s son;

from Simeon, Shelumiel, Zurishaddai’s son;

from Judah, Nahshon, Amminadab’s son;

from Issachar, Nethanel, Zuar’s son;

from Zebulun, Eliab, Helon’s son;

10 from Joseph’s sons:

from Ephraim, Elishama, Ammihud’s son;

from Manasseh, Gamaliel, Pedahzur’s son;

11 from Benjamin, Abidan, Gideoni’s son;

12 from Dan, Ahiezer, Ammishaddai’s son;

13 from Asher, Pagiel, Ochran’s son;

14 from Gad, Eliasaph, Deuel’s son;

15 from Naphtali, Ahira, Enan’s son.

16 These are the ones appointed from the community, chiefs of their ancestral tribes and leaders of the divisions of Israel.

17 Moses and Aaron took these men who were selected by name 18 and they assembled the entire community on the first day of the second month. They registered them by their clans and their households, recording the name of each male 20 years old and above. 19 Moses enlisted them in the Sinai desert just as the Lord commanded him.

20 There were the descendants of Reuben, Israel’s oldest, registered by their clans and their households. Every man 20 years old and above eligible for military service was individually recorded by name. 21 Those enlisted from the tribe of Reuben were 46,500.

22 There were the descendants of Simeon, registered by their clans and their households. Every male 20 years old and above eligible for military service was individually recorded by name. 23 Those enlisted from the tribe of Simeon were 59,300.

24 There were the descendants of Gad, registered by their clans and their households. The men 20 years old and above eligible for military service were recorded by name. 25 Those enlisted from the tribe of Gad were 45,650.

26 There were the descendants of Judah, registered by their clans and their households. The men 20 years old and above eligible for military service were recorded by name. 27 Those enlisted from the tribe of Judah were 74,600.

28 There were the descendants of Issachar, registered by their clans and their households. The men 20 years old and above eligible for military service were recorded by name. 29 Those enlisted from the tribe of Issachar were 54,400.

30 There were the descendants of Zebulun, registered by their clans and their households. The men 20 years old and above eligible for military service were recorded by name. 31 Those enlisted from the tribe of Zebulun were 57,400.

32 From Joseph’s descendants there were the descendants of Ephraim, registered by their clans and their households. The men 20 years old and above eligible for military service were recorded by name. 33 Those enlisted from the tribe of Ephraim were 40,500.

34 There were the descendants of Manasseh, registered by their clans and their households. The men 20 years old and above eligible for military service were recorded by name. 35 Those enlisted from the tribe of Manasseh were 32,200.

36 There were the descendants of Benjamin, registered by their clans and their households. The men 20 years old and above eligible for military service were recorded by name. 37 Those enlisted from the tribe of Benjamin were 35,400.

38 There were the descendants of Dan, registered by their clans and their households. The men 20 years old and above eligible for military service were recorded by name. 39 Those enlisted from the tribe of Dan were 62,700.

40 There were the descendants of Asher, registered by their clans and their households. The men 20 years old and above eligible for military service were recorded by name. 41 Those enlisted from the tribe of Asher were 41,500.

42 There were the descendants of Naphtali, registered by their clans and their households. The men 20 years old and above eligible for military service were recorded by name. 43 Those enlisted from the tribe of Naphtali were 53,400.

44 These are the ones who were enlisted by Moses, Aaron, and the twelve chiefs of Israel, each from his own household. 45 All the Israelites 20 years old and above eligible for military service in Israel were enlisted by their households. 46 All those enlisted were 603,550. 47 But the Levites, belonging to their own ancestral tribe, weren’t enlisted along with them.

The Levites’ exclusion from the census

48 The Lord spoke to Moses: 49 You must not enlist the tribe of Levi, nor should you take their census along with the Israelites. 50 Rather, assign the Levites to the covenant dwelling, to all its equipment, and to everything that belongs to it. They will carry the dwelling and all its equipment, perform its religious ceremonies, and camp around the dwelling. 51 When it’s time to break camp, the Levites will take down the dwelling; and when it’s time to make camp, the Levites will set up the dwelling. Any other person who approaches will be put to death. 52 The Israelites will camp each in their own place under the banner of their own military unit. 53 But the Levites will camp around the covenant dwelling so that God’s anger will not strike the Israelite community. The Levites will guard the covenant dwelling.

54 The Israelites did everything exactly as the Lord commanded Moses.

The wilderness camp’s arrangement

The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron: The Israelites will camp each under the banner with the symbol of their household. They will camp around the meeting tent some distance from it.

The camp’s east side

On the east side toward the sunrise will be the banner of Judah’s camp with its military units. The chief of the people of Judah is Nahshon, Amminadab’s son. His military unit and those enlisted in it are 74,600. Those camping on one side of him are the tribe of Issachar. The chief of the people of Issachar is Nethanel, Zuar’s son. His military unit and those enlisted in it are 54,400. On the other side, the tribe of Zebulun: the chief of the people of Zebulun is Eliab, Helon’s son. His military unit and those enlisted in it are 57,400. All those enlisted in Judah’s camp with their military units are 186,400. They will march first.

The camp’s south side

10 On the south side will be the banner of Reuben’s camp with its military units. The chief of the people of Reuben is Elizur, Shedeur’s son. 11 His military unit and those enlisted in it are 46,500. 12 Those camping on one side of him are the tribe of Simeon. The chief of the people of Simeon is Shelumiel, Zurishaddai’s son. 13 His military unit and those enlisted in it are 59,300. 14 On the other side, the tribe of Gad: the chief of the people of Gad is Eliasaph, Reuel’s son. 15 His military unit and those enlisted in it are 45,650. 16 All those enlisted in Reuben’s camp with their military units are 151,450. They will march second.

The camp’s center

17 The meeting tent and the Levites’ camp will march in the center of the camps. They will march in the same order as they camp: each in position under his banner.

The camp’s west side

18 On the west will be the banner of Ephraim’s camp with its military units. The chief of the people of Ephraim is Elishama, Ammihud’s son. 19 His military unit and those enlisted in it are 40,500. 20 On one side of him is the tribe of Manasseh. The chief of the people of Manasseh is Gamaliel, Pedahzur’s son. 21 His military unit and those enlisted in it are 32,200. 22 On the other side, the tribe of Benjamin: the chief of the people of Benjamin is Abidan, Gideoni’s son. 23 His military unit and those enlisted in it are 35,400. 24 All those enlisted in Ephraim’s camp with their military units are 108,100. They will march third.

The camp’s north side

25 On the north will be the banner of Dan’s camp with its military units. The chief of the people of Dan is Ahiezer, Ammishaddai’s son. 26 His military unit and those enlisted in it are 62,700. 27 Those camping on one side of him are the tribe of Asher. The chief of the people of Asher is Pagiel, Ochran’s son. 28 His military unit and those enlisted in it are 41,500. 29 On the other side, the tribe of Naphtali: the chief of the people of Naphtali is Ahira, Enan’s son. 30 His military unit and those enlisted in it are 53,400. 31 All those enlisted in the camp of Dan are 157,600. They will march last under their banners.

32 These are the enlisted Israelites by their households. The total enlisted in the camps with their military units is 603,550. 33 But the Levites weren’t enlisted among the Israelites, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 34 The Israelites did everything exactly as the Lord had commanded Moses: they camped under their banners and they marched by their clans and by their households.

Aaron’s sons

These are the descendants of Aaron and Moses at the time when the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. These are the names of Aaron’s sons: Nadab the oldest, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. These are the names of Aaron’s sons, who are the anointed priests and ordained to the priesthood. Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord when they made an unauthorized offering to the Lord in the Sinai desert. They didn’t have any sons. Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.

The Levites’ first census

The Lord spoke to Moses: Bring near the tribe of Levi and place them before Aaron the priest. They will assist him. They will perform duties for him and for the entire community before the meeting tent, doing the work of the dwelling. They will be responsible for all the equipment of the meeting tent and the duties on behalf of the Israelites when they do the work of the dwelling. You will give the Levites to Aaron and his sons. They have been assigned as a gift to him from the Israelites. 10 You will appoint Aaron and his sons to be responsible for the priesthood. Any other person who approaches will be put to death.

11 The Lord spoke to Moses: 12 I claim the Levites from the Israelites in place of all the oldest males who open an Israelite womb. The Levites are mine 13 because all the oldest males are mine. When I killed all the oldest males in the land of Egypt, I reserved for myself all the oldest males in Israel, both humans and animals. They are mine; I am the Lord.

14 The Lord spoke to Moses in the Sinai desert: 15 Enroll the Levites by their households and their clans. You will enroll all the males over one month old. 16 Moses enrolled them according to the Lord’s word as he was commanded. 17 These were Levi’s sons by name: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 18 These were the names of Gershon’s sons by their clans: Libni and Shimei. 19 Kohath’s sons by their clans: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 20 Merari’s sons by their clans: Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of Levi by their households.

21 To Gershon belonged the clans of Libni and Shimei. These were the clans of the Gershonites. 22 Their enrollment, according to the number of males over one month old, was 7,500. 23 The clans of the Gershonites were to camp behind the dwelling on the west side. 24 The chief of the household of the Gershonites was Eliasaph, Lael’s son. 25 In the dwelling, the Gershonites were responsible for the meeting tent, the tent with its covering, the screen for the entrance of the meeting tent, 26 the curtains of the courtyard, the screen for the entrance of the courtyard surrounding the meeting tent and the altar, and its cords—all these structures.

27 To Kohath belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites, and Uzzielites. These were the clans of the Kohathites. 28 The number of males over one month old, who would perform duties for the sanctuary, was 8,600. 29 The clans of the Kohathites were to camp on the south side of the dwelling. 30 The chief of the household representing the clans of the Kohathites was Elizaphan, Uzziel’s son. 31 They were responsible for the chest, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the equipment of the sanctuary with which they would minister, and the screen—all these furnishings. 32 The head chief over the chiefs of the Levites was Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest. He was supervisor over those performing the duties of the sanctuary.

33 To Merari belonged the clans of Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Merarites. 34 Their enrollment, according to the number of males over one month old, was 6,200. 35 The chief of the household representing the clans of the Merarites was Zuriel, Abihail’s son. They were to camp on the north side of the dwelling. 36 The Merarites were assigned responsibility for the frames of the dwelling, its bars, pillars, bases, and all its equipment—all these items— 37 and the pillars of the courtyard all around, their bases, pegs, and cords.

38 Those camping in front of the dwelling eastward (that is, before the meeting tent on the east side) were Moses, Aaron, and his sons, who performed the duties of the sanctuary as service for the Israelites. Anyone else who approached would be put to death. 39 The total enrollment of the Levites, all the males over one month old whom Moses and Aaron enrolled by orders from the Lord, according to their clans, was 22,000.

Levites rescue the oldest male Israelites

40 The Lord said to Moses: Enroll all the oldest males of the Israelites over one month of age and record their names. 41 Take the Levites for me, in place of all the oldest sons of the Israelites, for I am the Lord, and the cattle of the Levites in place of all the oldest cattle of the Israelites. 42 Moses enrolled all the oldest males of the Israelites as the Lord commanded. 43 All the oldest males over one month old, recorded by name according to their enrollment, were 22,273.

44 Then the Lord spoke to Moses: 45 Take the Levites in place of all the oldest Israelites and the cattle of the Levites in place of their cattle. The Levites are mine; I am the Lord. 46 To rescue the 273 remaining oldest Israelites over and above the number of Levites, 47 you will receive five shekels each. You will receive them according to the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs to the shekel. 48 You will give the money for their rescue to Aaron and his sons.

49 So Moses took the money from those rescued over and above the ones rescued by the Levites. 50 He took the money from the oldest of the Israelites, 1,365 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. 51 Moses gave the money for those rescued to Aaron and his sons according to the Lord’s word, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Second census and the Levites’ duties

The Kohathites’ duties

The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron: Take a census of the Kohathites from among the Levites by their clans and their households, from 30 to 50 years old, all who are eligible for service to do the work of the meeting tent. These are the responsibilities of the Kohathites in the meeting tent: the most holy things.

When it’s time to break camp, Aaron and his sons will enter and take down the screening curtain, and they will cover the chest containing the covenant with it. Then they will place a covering of fine leather[b] on it. They will spread a whole cloth of blue over it, and they will set its poles in place. They will spread a blue cloth on the presentation table and place on it the plates, the dishes, the bowls, and the container for the drink offering. The usual bread will be on it. They will spread on them a red cloth, cover it with fine leather, and set its poles in place. They will take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand used for light, its lamps, its extinguishers, its trays, and all the containers for oil that are used in its service. 10 They will place it and its equipment in a covering of fine leather, and then place it on the carrying frame. 11 They will spread a blue cloth on the gold altar and cover it with fine leather. 12 They will take all the service equipment used in the sanctuary, place it in a blue cloth, and cover it with fine leather. Then they will place it on the carrying frame. 13 They will remove the ashes from the altar and spread a purple cloth on it. 14 They will place on it all the equipment used for servicing it, the censers, the meat fork, the shovels, the bowls, all the equipment of the altar. They will spread a covering of fine leather over it and then set its poles in place.

15 Aaron and his sons will finish covering the sanctuary and all the equipment of the sanctuary when it is time to break camp. After that the Kohathites will enter to carry it, but they will not touch the sanctuary, lest they die. These are the objects in the dwelling that the Kohathites are to carry. 16 But Eleazar son of Aaron the priest will have oversight of the oil for lighting, the fragrant incense, the regular grain offering, and the anointing oil, as well as oversight of the entire dwelling and everything in it related to the sanctuary and its equipment.

17 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron: 18 You must not let the tribe of the Kohathite clans be eliminated from the Levites. 19 This is what you must do for them so that they stay alive and don’t die when they approach the most holy things. Aaron and his sons will enter and assign each of them his work and his load. 20 But they may not enter to look at the sanctuary even for a moment, lest they die.

The Gershonites’ duties

21 The Lord spoke to Moses: 22 Take a census of the Gershonites also, by their households and their clans. 23 You will enroll those from 30 to 50 years old, all who are eligible for service to do work in the dwelling. 24 This is the duty of the Gershonite clans for work and for carrying the load: 25 They will carry the fabric of the dwelling, the meeting tent with its covering, the outer covering of fine leather, the screen for the entrance of the meeting tent, 26 the curtains of the courtyard, the screen of the entrance at the gate of the courtyard that surrounds the meeting tent and the altar, their cords, and all their equipment for their work. They will do everything that needs to be done with these objects.

27 All the duties of the Gershonites for carrying their load and for their work will be at the command of Aaron and his sons. You will assign to them the responsibility to carry their load. 28 This is the work of the Gershonite clans in the dwelling. Their responsibility will be under Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

The Merarites’ duties

29 You will enroll the Merarites by their clans and their households. 30 You will enroll those from 30 to 50 years old, all who are eligible for service to do work in the meeting tent. 31 This is what they are responsible to carry as their work in the meeting tent: the frames of the meeting tent, its bars, pillars, and bases; 32 the pillars of the courtyard all around, with their bases, pegs, cords, and all the equipment used with them. You will list by name the objects they are required to carry. 33 This is the duty of the Merarite clans for all their work in the meeting tent under the supervision of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

Summary of the census

34 So Moses, Aaron, and the chiefs of the community enrolled the Kohathites by their clans and their households, 35 those from 30 to 50 years old who were eligible for work in the meeting tent. 36 Their enrollment by their clans was 2,750. 37 These are the enrolled of the Kohathite clans, all who worked in the meeting tent and whom Moses and Aaron enrolled according to the Lord’s command through Moses.

38 The enrollment of the Gershonites by their clans and their households, 39 those 30 to 50 years old who were eligible for work in the meeting tent: 40 their enrollment by their clans and their households was 2,630. 41 These are the enrolled of the Gershonite clans, all who worked in the meeting tent, and whom Moses and Aaron enrolled according to the Lord’s command.

42 The enrollment of the Merarite clans by their clans and their households, 43 those 30 to 50 years old who were eligible for work in the meeting tent: 44 their enrollment by their clans was 3,200. 45 These are the enrolled of the Merarite clans, whom Moses and Aaron enrolled according to the Lord’s command through Moses.

46 All the enrolled Levites whom Moses, Aaron, and the chiefs of Israel enrolled by their clans and their households, 47 those 30 to 50 years old who were eligible to do the work and to carry the load of the meeting tent: 48 their enrollment was 8,580. 49 Each was enrolled by the Lord’s command through Moses to work and to carry his load. Each was assigned just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Notas al pie

  1. Numbers 1:1 April–May, Iyar
  2. Numbers 4:6 Or dolphin skin; see also 4:8, 10-12.

The Census

The Lord spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting(A) in the Desert of Sinai(B) on the first day of the second month(C) of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt.(D) He said: “Take a census(E) of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families,(F) listing every man by name,(G) one by one. You and Aaron(H) are to count according to their divisions all the men in Israel who are twenty years old or more(I) and able to serve in the army.(J) One man from each tribe,(K) each of them the head of his family,(L) is to help you.(M) These are the names(N) of the men who are to assist you:

from Reuben,(O) Elizur son of Shedeur;(P)

from Simeon,(Q) Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai;(R)

from Judah,(S) Nahshon son of Amminadab;(T)

from Issachar,(U) Nethanel son of Zuar;(V)

from Zebulun,(W) Eliab son of Helon;(X)

10 from the sons of Joseph:

from Ephraim,(Y) Elishama son of Ammihud;(Z)

from Manasseh,(AA) Gamaliel son of Pedahzur;(AB)

11 from Benjamin,(AC) Abidan son of Gideoni;(AD)

12 from Dan,(AE) Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai;(AF)

13 from Asher,(AG) Pagiel son of Okran;(AH)

14 from Gad,(AI) Eliasaph son of Deuel;(AJ)

15 from Naphtali,(AK) Ahira son of Enan.(AL)

16 These were the men appointed from the community, the leaders(AM) of their ancestral tribes.(AN) They were the heads of the clans of Israel.(AO)

17 Moses and Aaron took these men whose names had been specified, 18 and they called the whole community together on the first day of the second month.(AP) The people registered their ancestry(AQ) by their clans and families,(AR) and the men twenty years old or more(AS) were listed by name, one by one, 19 as the Lord commanded Moses. And so he counted(AT) them in the Desert of Sinai:

20 From the descendants of Reuben(AU) the firstborn son(AV) of Israel:

All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families. 21 The number from the tribe of Reuben(AW) was 46,500.

22 From the descendants of Simeon:(AX)

All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were counted and listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families. 23 The number from the tribe of Simeon was 59,300.(AY)

24 From the descendants of Gad:(AZ)

All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 25 The number from the tribe of Gad(BA) was 45,650.

26 From the descendants of Judah:(BB)

All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 27 The number from the tribe of Judah(BC) was 74,600.

28 From the descendants of Issachar:(BD)

All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 29 The number from the tribe of Issachar(BE) was 54,400.(BF)

30 From the descendants of Zebulun:(BG)

All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 31 The number from the tribe of Zebulun was 57,400.(BH)

32 From the sons of Joseph:(BI)

From the descendants of Ephraim:(BJ)

All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 33 The number from the tribe of Ephraim(BK) was 40,500.

34 From the descendants of Manasseh:(BL)

All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 35 The number from the tribe of Manasseh was 32,200.

36 From the descendants of Benjamin:(BM)

All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 37 The number from the tribe of Benjamin(BN) was 35,400.

38 From the descendants of Dan:(BO)

All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 39 The number from the tribe of Dan was 62,700.(BP)

40 From the descendants of Asher:(BQ)

All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 41 The number from the tribe of Asher(BR) was 41,500.

42 From the descendants of Naphtali:(BS)

All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 43 The number from the tribe of Naphtali(BT) was 53,400.(BU)

44 These were the men counted by Moses and Aaron(BV) and the twelve leaders of Israel, each one representing his family. 45 All the Israelites twenty years old or more(BW) who were able to serve in Israel’s army were counted according to their families.(BX) 46 The total number was 603,550.(BY)

47 The ancestral tribe of the Levites,(BZ) however, was not counted(CA) along with the others. 48 The Lord had said to Moses: 49 “You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the census of the other Israelites. 50 Instead, appoint the Levites to be in charge of the tabernacle(CB) of the covenant law(CC)—over all its furnishings(CD) and everything belonging to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they are to take care of it and encamp around it. 51 Whenever the tabernacle(CE) is to move,(CF) the Levites are to take it down, and whenever the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall do it.(CG) Anyone else who approaches it is to be put to death.(CH) 52 The Israelites are to set up their tents by divisions, each of them in their own camp under their standard.(CI) 53 The Levites, however, are to set up their tents around the tabernacle(CJ) of the covenant law so that my wrath will not fall(CK) on the Israelite community. The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the tabernacle of the covenant law.(CL)

54 The Israelites did all this just as the Lord commanded Moses.

The Arrangement of the Tribal Camps

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: “The Israelites are to camp around the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard(CM) and holding the banners of their family.”

On the east, toward the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard. The leader of the people of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab.(CN) His division numbers 74,600.

The tribe of Issachar(CO) will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Issachar is Nethanel son of Zuar.(CP) His division numbers 54,400.

The tribe of Zebulun will be next. The leader of the people of Zebulun is Eliab son of Helon.(CQ) His division numbers 57,400.

All the men assigned to the camp of Judah, according to their divisions, number 186,400. They will set out first.(CR)

10 On the south(CS) will be the divisions of the camp of Reuben under their standard. The leader of the people of Reuben is Elizur son of Shedeur.(CT) 11 His division numbers 46,500.

12 The tribe of Simeon(CU) will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Simeon is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.(CV) 13 His division numbers 59,300.

14 The tribe of Gad(CW) will be next. The leader of the people of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel.[a](CX) 15 His division numbers 45,650.

16 All the men assigned to the camp of Reuben,(CY) according to their divisions, number 151,450. They will set out second.

17 Then the tent of meeting and the camp of the Levites(CZ) will set out in the middle of the camps. They will set out in the same order as they encamp, each in their own place under their standard.

18 On the west(DA) will be the divisions of the camp of Ephraim(DB) under their standard. The leader of the people of Ephraim is Elishama son of Ammihud.(DC) 19 His division numbers 40,500.

20 The tribe of Manasseh(DD) will be next to them. The leader of the people of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.(DE) 21 His division numbers 32,200.

22 The tribe of Benjamin(DF) will be next. The leader of the people of Benjamin is Abidan son of Gideoni.(DG) 23 His division numbers 35,400.

24 All the men assigned to the camp of Ephraim,(DH) according to their divisions, number 108,100. They will set out third.(DI)

25 On the north(DJ) will be the divisions of the camp of Dan under their standard.(DK) The leader of the people of Dan is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.(DL) 26 His division numbers 62,700.

27 The tribe of Asher will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Asher is Pagiel son of Okran.(DM) 28 His division numbers 41,500.

29 The tribe of Naphtali(DN) will be next. The leader of the people of Naphtali is Ahira son of Enan.(DO) 30 His division numbers 53,400.

31 All the men assigned to the camp of Dan number 157,600. They will set out last,(DP) under their standards.

32 These are the Israelites, counted according to their families.(DQ) All the men in the camps, by their divisions, number 603,550.(DR) 33 The Levites, however, were not counted(DS) along with the other Israelites, as the Lord commanded Moses.

34 So the Israelites did everything the Lord commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each of them with their clan and family.

The Levites

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

The names of the sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn(DV) and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.(DW) Those were the names of Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests,(DX) who were ordained to serve as priests. Nadab and Abihu, however, died before the Lord(DY) when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai.(DZ) They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar(EA) served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.(EB)

The Lord said to Moses, “Bring the tribe of Levi(EC) and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.(ED) They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community(EE) at the tent of meeting by doing the work(EF) 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;(EG) they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him.[b] 10 Appoint Aaron(EH) and his sons to serve as priests;(EI) anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is to be put to death.”(EJ)

11 The Lord also said to Moses, 12 “I have taken the Levites(EK) from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring(EL) of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine,(EM) 13 for all the firstborn are mine.(EN) 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.”(EO)

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

Gershon,(ET) Kohath(EU) and Merari.(EV)

18 These were the names of the Gershonite clans:

Libni and Shimei.(EW)

19 The Kohathite clans:

Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.(EX)

20 The Merarite clans:(EY)

Mahli and Mushi.(EZ)

These were the Levite clans, according to their families.

21 To Gershon(FA) belonged the clans of the Libnites and Shimeites;(FB) 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.(FC) 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(FD) and tent, its coverings,(FE) the curtain at the entrance(FF) to the tent of meeting,(FG) 26 the curtains of the courtyard(FH), the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,(FI) and the ropes(FJ)—and everything(FK) related to their use.

27 To Kohath(FL) belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites;(FM) these were the Kohathite(FN) clans. 28 The number of all the males a month old or more(FO) was 8,600.[c] The Kohathites were responsible(FP) for the care of the sanctuary.(FQ) 29 The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side(FR) of the tabernacle. 30 The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan(FS) son of Uzziel. 31 They were responsible for the care of the ark,(FT) the table,(FU) the lampstand,(FV) the altars,(FW) the articles(FX) of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain,(FY) and everything related to their use.(FZ) 32 The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar(GA) son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible(GB) for the care of the sanctuary.(GC)

33 To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites;(GD) these were the Merarite clans.(GE) 34 The number of all the males a month old or more(GF) 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.(GG) 36 The Merarites were appointed(GH) to take care of the frames of the tabernacle,(GI) its crossbars,(GJ) posts,(GK) bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,(GL) 37 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard(GM) with their bases, tent pegs(GN) and ropes.

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

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

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

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,(GY) listed by name, was 22,273.(GZ)

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.(HA) I am the Lord.(HB) 46 To redeem(HC) the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites, 47 collect five shekels[d](HD) for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel,(HE) which weighs twenty gerahs.(HF) 48 Give the money for the redemption(HG) of the additional Israelites to Aaron and his sons.”(HH)

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

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

“This is the work(HO) of the Kohathites(HP) at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things.(HQ) When the camp is to move,(HR) Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain(HS) and put it over the ark of the covenant law.(HT) Then they are to cover the curtain with a durable leather,[f](HU) spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles(HV) in place.

“Over the table of the Presence(HW) they are to spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes and bowls, and the jars for drink offerings;(HX) the bread that is continually there(HY) is to remain on it. They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover that with the durable leather and put the poles(HZ) in place.

“They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand that is for light, together with its lamps, its wick trimmers and trays,(IA) and all its jars for the olive oil used to supply it. 10 Then they are to wrap it and all its accessories in a covering of the durable leather and put it on a carrying frame.(IB)

11 “Over the gold altar(IC) they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with the durable leather and put the poles(ID) in place.

12 “They are to take all the articles(IE) used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame.(IF)

13 “They are to remove the ashes(IG) from the bronze altar(IH) and spread a purple cloth over it. 14 Then they are to place on it all the utensils(II) used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans,(IJ) meat forks,(IK) shovels(IL) and sprinkling bowls.(IM) Over it they are to spread a covering of the durable leather and put the poles(IN) in place.

15 “After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move,(IO) only then are the Kohathites(IP) to come and do the carrying.(IQ) But they must not touch the holy things(IR) or they will die.(IS) The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting.

16 “Eleazar(IT) son of Aaron, the priest, is to have charge of the oil for the light,(IU) the fragrant incense,(IV) the regular grain offering(IW) and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles.”

17 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 18 “See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not destroyed from among the Levites. 19 So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things,(IX) do this for them: Aaron and his sons(IY) are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry.(IZ) 20 But the Kohathites must not go in to look(JA) at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”

The Gershonites

21 The Lord said to Moses, 22 “Take a census also of the Gershonites by their families and clans. 23 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age(JB) who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.

24 “This is the service of the Gershonite clans in their carrying and their other work: 25 They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle,(JC) that is, the tent of meeting,(JD) its covering(JE) and its outer covering of durable leather, the curtains for the entrance to the tent of meeting, 26 the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,(JF) the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard,(JG) the ropes and all the equipment(JH) used in the service of the tent. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things. 27 All their service, whether carrying or doing other work, is to be done under the direction of Aaron and his sons.(JI) You shall assign to them as their responsibility(JJ) all they are to carry. 28 This is the service of the Gershonite clans(JK) at the tent of meeting. Their duties are to be under the direction of Ithamar(JL) son of Aaron, the priest.

The Merarites

29 “Count(JM) the Merarites by their clans and families.(JN) 30 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting. 31 As part of all their service at the tent, they are to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases,(JO) 32 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes,(JP) all their equipment and everything related to their use. Assign to each man the specific things he is to carry. 33 This is the service of the Merarite clans as they work at the tent of meeting under the direction of Ithamar(JQ) son of Aaron, the priest.”

The Numbering of the Levite Clans

34 Moses, Aaron and the leaders of the community counted the Kohathites(JR) by their clans and families. 35 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age(JS) who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting, 36 counted by clans, were 2,750. 37 This was the total of all those in the Kohathite clans(JT) who served at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command through Moses.

38 The Gershonites(JU) were counted by their clans and families. 39 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting, 40 counted by their clans and families, were 2,630. 41 This was the total of those in the Gershonite clans who served at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command.

42 The Merarites were counted by their clans and families. 43 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age(JV) who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting, 44 counted by their clans, were 3,200. 45 This was the total of those in the Merarite clans.(JW) Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command through Moses.

46 So Moses, Aaron and the leaders of Israel counted(JX) all the Levites by their clans and families. 47 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age(JY) who came to do the work of serving and carrying the tent of meeting 48 numbered 8,580.(JZ) 49 At the Lord’s command through Moses, each was assigned his work and told what to carry.

Thus they were counted,(KA) as the Lord commanded Moses.

Notas al pie

  1. Numbers 2:14 Many manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch and Vulgate (see also 1:14); most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text Reuel
  2. 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
  3. Numbers 3:28 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts 8,300
  4. Numbers 3:47 That is, about 2 ounces or about 58 grams
  5. Numbers 3:50 That is, about 35 pounds or about 16 kilograms
  6. Numbers 4:6 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals; also in verses 8, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 25