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33 Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari. 34 And their numbered men, in the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, were 6,200. 35 And the leader of the fathers’ households of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. They were to (A)camp on the northward side of the tabernacle. 36 Now the appointed responsibility of the sons of Merari involved the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its bases, all its equipment, and the service concerning them, 37 and the pillars around the court with their bases and their pegs and their cords.

38 Now those who were to (B)camp before the tabernacle eastward, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, are Moses and Aaron and his sons, keeping the responsibility of the sanctuary for the responsibility of the sons of Israel; but (C)the [a]outsider coming near was to be put to death. 39 All the numbered men of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the [b]command of Yahweh by their families, every male from a month old and upward, were (D)22,000.

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Footnotes

  1. Numbers 3:38 Lit stranger
  2. Numbers 3:39 Lit word

33 To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites;(A) these were the Merarite clans.(B) 34 The number of all the males a month old or more(C) 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.(D) 36 The Merarites were appointed(E) to take care of the frames of the tabernacle,(F) its crossbars,(G) posts,(H) bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,(I) 37 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard(J) with their bases, tent pegs(K) and ropes.

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

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

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