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The Census of the Kohathites

Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, Take a census[a] of the descendants[b] of Kohath from the midst of the descendants[c] of Levi, according to their clans and their families,[d] from thirty years old[e] and above, up to fifty years old,[f] everyone who comes to the service to do the work in the tent of assembly. This is the work of the descendants[g] of Kohath in the tent of assembly, concerning the holiness of the sanctuary: When setting out the camp, Aaron and his sons will go and lower the curtain of the covering and cover with it the ark of the testimony.[h] They will put on it a covering of fine leather,[i] and they will spread a cloth of perfect blue over it, and they will place its poles. And over the table of the presence they will spread out a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes, and libation bowls, and the pitchers of the libation; and the bread of continuity will be on it. They will spread over it a scarlet cloth, and they will cover it with a covering of fine leather,[j] and they will place its poles. They will take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand for the light source, its lamps, a pair of its tongs, its small pans, and all the vessels of its oil with which they attend to it. 10 They will put it and all its vessels inside a covering of fine leather[k] and put it on the carrying frame. 11 Over the altar of gold they will spread a blue cloth, and they will cover it with a covering of fine leather[l] and place its poles. 12 They will take all the vessels of the cultic service with which they serve in the sanctuary and put them on a blue cloth, and they will cover them with a covering of fine leather;[m] and they will put them on the carrying frame. 13 They will remove the fat-soaked ashes from the altar and spread a purple cloth over it; 14 they will put on it all the vessels with which they serve, the fire pans, forks, shovels, and bowls—all the vessels of the altar. They will spread on it a covering of fine leather;[n] and they will place its poles. 15 And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the vessels of the sanctuary when the camp sets out, the descendants[o] of Kohath will come after to carry these, but they must not touch the sanctuary, or they will die. These are the load of the descendants[p] of Kohath in the tent of assembly.

16 “Eleazar son of Aaron the priest is to supervise the oil of the light source, the incense, the regular grain offering,[q] the oil of anointment, the supervision of all the tabernacle and all that is in it, in the sanctuary and in its vessels.”

17 Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 18 “You must not cut off the tribe of the clan of the Kohathites[r] from the midst of the Levites. 19 Do this to them and they will live and not die when they come near the most holy things. Aaron and his sons will go and appoint them, each one to his task and burden. 20 But they must not go and look for a moment[s] at the holy objects.”

21 Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 22 Take a census[t] of the descendants[u] of Gershon also, according to their families[v] and clans, 23 from those twenty years old[w] and above until fifty years old;[x] you will muster[y] them, all who come to help to do the work of the tent of assembly. 24 This is the work of the clans of the Gershonites:[z] to serve and to carry. 25 They will carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the tent of assembly and its covering and the covering of fine leather,[aa] which is on top of it,[ab] and the curtain of the doorway of the tent of assembly, 26 and the curtains of the courtyard, and the covering for the doorway of the gate of the courtyard, which is all around on the tabernacle and altar, and their cords and all the vessels of their work; and all that is done to them they will do. 27 And all the work of the descendants[ac] of the Gershonites[ad] will be at the command[ae] of Aaron and his sons, for all they are to carry and for all their work, and you will appoint to them responsibility for all they are to carry. 28 This is the work of the clan of the descendants[af] of the Gershonites[ag] in the tent of assembly, and their responsibility lies under the direction[ah] of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

29 For the descendants[ai] of Merari according to their clans, according to their families,[aj] you will muster[ak] them; 30 from those thirty years old[al] and above until fifty years old;[am] you will muster[an] them, all who come to do the work of the tent of assembly. 31 And this is the responsibility of those who are to carry,[ao] all their work in the tent of assembly: the frames of the tabernacle and its bars, pillars, and bases, 32 and the pillars of the courtyard all around, and their bases, pegs, and cords, with all their vessels and for all their work. You will appoint by name the vessels that they are responsible to carry. 33 This is the work of the clan of the descendants[ap] of Merari, for all their work in the tent of assembly under the direction[aq] of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.”

34 And Moses and Aaron mustered the leaders of the community according to the house of their families,[ar] 35 from those thirty years old[as] and above until fifty years old;[at] everyone who comes to the service to work in the tent of assembly, 36 the ones counted[au] were two thousand seven hundred and fifty. 37 These were those counted of the clans of the Kohathites,[av] everyone who served in the tent of assembly whom Moses and Aaron mustered[aw] according to the command[ax] of Yahweh by the hand of Moses.[ay]

38 And the descendants[az] of Gershon counted according to their clans and according to their families,[ba] 39 from those thirty years old[bb] and above until fifty years old,[bc] everyone who comes to the service to work in the tent of assembly; 40 the ones counted,[bd] according to their clans, according to their families,[be] were two thousand six hundred and thirty. 41 These were those counted of the clans of the descendants[bf] of Gershon, everyone who serves in the tent of assembly whom Moses and Aaron mustered[bg] according to the command[bh] of Yahweh.

42 Those counted of the clans of the descendants[bi] of Merari according to their clans, according to their families,[bj] 43 from those thirty years old[bk] and above until fifty years old,[bl] everyone who comes to the service to work in the tent of assembly, 44 the ones counted,[bm] according to their clans, were three thousand two hundred. 45 These were those counted of the clans of the descendants[bn] of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron mustered[bo] according to the command[bp] of Yahweh by the hand of Moses.[bq]

46 All those counted of the Levites whom Moses and Aaron and all the leaders of Israel mustered[br] according to their clans, according to their families,[bs] 47 from those thirty years old[bt] and above until fifty years old,[bu] everyone who comes to the service to do the work of the service carrying in the tent of assembly, 48 the ones counted[bv] were eighty thousand five hundred and eighty. 49 According to the command[bw] of Yahweh by the hand of Moses[bx] they were mustered,[by] each man according to his service and according to their[bz] service and according to their[ca] burden; and so they were counted by him just as Yahweh commanded Moses.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 4:2 Literally “and lift up the number of”
  2. Numbers 4:2 Or “sons”
  3. Numbers 4:2 Or “sons”
  4. Numbers 4:2 Literally “the house of their fathers”
  5. Numbers 4:3 Literally “a son of thirty years”
  6. Numbers 4:3 Literally “a son of fifty years”
  7. Numbers 4:4 Or “sons”
  8. Numbers 4:5 Or “the ark of the covenant”
  9. Numbers 4:6 Literally “the hide of a sea cow”
  10. Numbers 4:8 Literally “the hide of a sea cow”
  11. Numbers 4:10 Literally “the hide of a sea cow”
  12. Numbers 4:11 Literally “the hide of a sea cow”
  13. Numbers 4:12 Literally “the hide of a sea cow”
  14. Numbers 4:14 Literally “the hide of a sea cow”
  15. Numbers 4:15 Or “sons”
  16. Numbers 4:15 Or “sons”
  17. Numbers 4:16 Literally “the grain offering of continuity”
  18. Numbers 4:18 Hebrew “Kohathite”
  19. Numbers 4:20 Literally “as devouring”
  20. Numbers 4:22 Literally “And lift up the number of”
  21. Numbers 4:22 Or “sons”
  22. Numbers 4:22 Literally “the house of their fathers”
  23. Numbers 4:23 Literally “a son of twenty years”
  24. Numbers 4:23 Literally “a son of fifty years”
  25. Numbers 4:23 Or “count,” or “summon,” or “enroll”
  26. Numbers 4:24 Hebrew “Gershonite”
  27. Numbers 4:25 Literally “the hide of a sea cow”
  28. Numbers 4:25 Literally “is above upon it”
  29. Numbers 4:27 Or “sons”
  30. Numbers 4:27 Hebrew “Gershonite”
  31. Numbers 4:27 Literally “the mouth”
  32. Numbers 4:28 Or “sons”
  33. Numbers 4:28 Hebrew “Gershonite”
  34. Numbers 4:28 Literally “in the hand”
  35. Numbers 4:29 Or “sons”
  36. Numbers 4:29 Literally “the house of their fathers”
  37. Numbers 4:29 Or “count,” or “summon,” or “enroll”
  38. Numbers 4:30 Literally “a son of thirty years”
  39. Numbers 4:30 Literally “a son of fifty years”
  40. Numbers 4:30 Or “count,” or “summon,” or “enroll”
  41. Numbers 4:31 Literally “them carrying”
  42. Numbers 4:33 Or “sons”
  43. Numbers 4:33 Literally “in the hand”
  44. Numbers 4:34 Literally “the house of their fathers”
  45. Numbers 4:35 Literally “a son of thirty years”
  46. Numbers 4:35 Literally “a son of fifty years”
  47. Numbers 4:36 Literally “the ones counted of them,” or “the ones mustered of them”
  48. Numbers 4:37 Hebrew “Kohathite”
  49. Numbers 4:37 Or “counted,” or “summoned,” or “enrolled”
  50. Numbers 4:37 Literally “the mouth”
  51. Numbers 4:37 Or “through Moses”
  52. Numbers 4:38 Or “sons”
  53. Numbers 4:38 Literally “the house of their fathers”
  54. Numbers 4:39 Literally “a son of thirty years”
  55. Numbers 4:39 Literally “a son of fifty years”
  56. Numbers 4:40 Literally “the ones counted of them,” or “the ones mustered of them”
  57. Numbers 4:40 Literally “the house of their fathers”
  58. Numbers 4:41 Or “sons”
  59. Numbers 4:41 Or “counted,” or “summoned,” or “enrolled”
  60. Numbers 4:41 Literally “the mouth”
  61. Numbers 4:42 Or “sons”
  62. Numbers 4:42 Literally “the house of their fathers”
  63. Numbers 4:43 Literally “thirty years and above”
  64. Numbers 4:43 Literally “a son of fifty years”
  65. Numbers 4:44 Literally “the ones counted of them,” or “the ones mustered of them”
  66. Numbers 4:45 Or “sons”
  67. Numbers 4:45 Or “counted,” or “summoned,” or “enrolled”
  68. Numbers 4:45 Literally “the mouth”
  69. Numbers 4:45 Or “through Moses”
  70. Numbers 4:46 Or “counted,” or “summoned,” or “enrolled”
  71. Numbers 4:46 Literally “the house of their fathers”
  72. Numbers 4:47 Literally “a son of thirty years”
  73. Numbers 4:47 Literally “a son of fifty years”
  74. Numbers 4:48 Literally “the ones counted of them,” or “the ones mustered of them”
  75. Numbers 4:49 Literally “the mouth”
  76. Numbers 4:49 Or “through Moses”
  77. Numbers 4:49 Hebrew “he mustered”
  78. Numbers 4:49 Hebrew “his”
  79. Numbers 4:49 Hebrew “his”

Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all who enter into the service to do the work in the Tent of Meeting.

“This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting, regarding the most holy things. When the camp moves forward, Aaron shall go in with his sons; and they shall take down the veil of the screen, cover the ark of the Testimony with it, put a covering of sealskin on it, spread a blue cloth over it, and put in its poles.

“On the table of show bread they shall spread a blue cloth, and put on it the dishes, the spoons, the bowls, and the cups with which to pour out; and the continual bread shall be on it. They shall spread on them a scarlet cloth, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in its poles.

“They shall take a blue cloth and cover the lamp stand of the light, its lamps, its snuffers, its snuff dishes, and all its oil vessels, with which they minister to it. 10 They shall put it and all its vessels within a covering of sealskin, and shall put it on the frame.

11 “On the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in its poles.

12 “They shall take all the vessels of ministry with which they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put them on the frame.

13 “They shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth on it. 14 They shall put on it all its vessels with which they minister about it, the fire pans, the meat hooks, the shovels, and the basins—all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread on it a covering of sealskin, and put in its poles.

15 “When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp moves forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to carry it; but they shall not touch the sanctuary, lest they die. The sons of Kohath shall carry these things belonging to the Tent of Meeting.

16 “The duty of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be the oil for the light, the sweet incense, the continual meal offering, and the anointing oil, the requirements of all the tabernacle, and of all that is in it, the sanctuary, and its furnishings.”

17 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 18 “Don’t cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites; 19 but do this to them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint everyone to his service and to his burden; 20 but they shall not go in to see the sanctuary even for a moment, lest they die.”

21 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 22 “Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ houses, by their families; 23 you shall count them from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old: all who enter in to wait on the service, to do the work in the Tent of Meeting.

24 “This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens: 25 they shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the Tent of Meeting, its covering, the covering of sealskin that is on it, the screen for the door of the Tent of Meeting, 26 the hangings of the court, the screen for the door of the gate of the court which is by the tabernacle and around the altar, their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and whatever shall be done with them. They shall serve in there. 27 At the commandment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burden and in all their service; and you shall appoint their duty to them in all their responsibilities. 28 This is the service of the families of the sons of the Gershonites in the Tent of Meeting. Their duty shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

29 “As for the sons of Merari, you shall count them by their families, by their fathers’ houses; 30 you shall count them from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old—everyone who enters on the service, to do the work of the Tent of Meeting. 31 This is the duty of their burden, according to all their service in the Tent of Meeting: the tabernacle’s boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, 32 the pillars of the court around it, their sockets, their pins, their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service. You shall appoint the instruments of the duty of their burden to them by name. 33 This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service in the Tent of Meeting, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.”

34 Moses and Aaron and the princes of the congregation counted the sons of the Kohathites by their families, and by their fathers’ houses, 35 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who entered into the service for work in the Tent of Meeting. 36 Those who were counted of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred fifty. 37 These are those who were counted of the families of the Kohathites, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.

38 Those who were counted of the sons of Gershon, by their families, and by their fathers’ houses, 39 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old—everyone who entered into the service for work in the Tent of Meeting, 40 even those who were counted of them, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, were two thousand six hundred thirty. 41 These are those who were counted of the families of the sons of Gershon, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the commandment of Yahweh.

42 Those who were counted of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, 43 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old—everyone who entered into the service for work in the Tent of Meeting, 44 even those who were counted of them by their families, were three thousand two hundred. 45 These are those who were counted of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.

46 All those who were counted of the Levites whom Moses and Aaron and the princes of Israel counted, by their families and by their fathers’ houses, 47 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who entered in to do the work of service and the work of bearing burdens in the Tent of Meeting, 48 even those who were counted of them, were eight thousand five hundred eighty. 49 According to the commandment of Yahweh they were counted by Moses, everyone according to his service and according to his burden. Thus they were counted by him, as Yahweh commanded Moses.