Numbers 3:1-13

Tree of Life Version

The Levite Families and Duties

3 These are the generations of Aaron and Moses current at the time Adonai spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai. ² These are the names of Aaron’s sons: Nadab the first-born, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. ³ These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed kohanim whom he consecrated to be priests. ⁴ But Nadab and Abihu died before Adonai for offering unauthorized fire^[a] before Adonai in the Sinai wilderness—they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as kohanim under Aaron their father.

⁵ Then Adonai spoke to Moses saying, ⁶ “Gather the tribe of Levi near, and appoint them to attend to Aaron the kohen. ⁷ They are to keep watch over duties for him and the entire community before the Tent of Meeting while performing the service of the Tabernacle. ⁸ They are to tend to all the implements of the Tent of Meeting and the service of Bnei-Yisrael while performing the service of the Tabernacle. ⁹ You are to give the Levites to Aaron and his sons. Out of Bnei-Yisrael they are dedicated entirely to him. ¹⁰ You are to appoint Aaron and his sons to maintain the priesthood; any commoner who approaches must be executed.”

¹¹ Then Adonai said to Moses saying, ¹² “See, I have taken the Levites from among Bnei-Yisrael in place of the firstborn who open the womb among Bnei-Yisrael. The Levites will be Mine, ¹³ because all the firstborn are Mine. In the day when I was striking down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to Myself every firstborn in Israel—whether man or animal—as Mine. I am Adonai.”