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

Adyma genedlaethau Aaron a Moses, ar y dydd y llefarodd yr Arglwydd wrth Moses ym mynydd Sinai. Dyma enwau meibion Aaron: Nadab y cyntaf‐anedig, ac Abihu, Eleasar, ac Ithamar. Dyma enwau meibion Aaron, yr offeiriaid eneiniog, y rhai a gysegrodd efe i offeiriadu. A marw a wnaeth Nadab ac Abihu gerbron yr Arglwydd, pan offrymasant dân dieithr gerbron yr Arglwydd, yn anialwch Sinai; a meibion nid oedd iddynt: ac offeiriadodd Eleasar ac Ithamar yng ngŵydd Aaron eu tad.

A’r Arglwydd a lefarodd wrth Moses, gan ddywedyd, Nesâ lwyth Lefi, a gwna iddo sefyll gerbron Aaron yr offeiriad, fel y gwasanaethont ef. A hwy a gadwant ei gadwraeth ef, a chadwraeth yr holl gynulleidfa, o flaen pabell y cyfarfod, i wneuthur gwasanaeth y tabernacl. A chadwant holl ddodrefn pabell y cyfarfod, a chadwraeth meibion Israel, i wasanaethu gwasanaeth y tabernacl. A thi a roddi’r Lefiaid i Aaron, ac i’w feibion: y rhai hyn sydd wedi eu rhoddi yn rhodd iddo ef o feibion Israel. 10 Ac urdda di Aaron a’i feibion i gadw eu hoffeiriadaeth: a’r dieithrddyn a ddelo yn agos, a roddir i farw.

11 Llefarodd yr Arglwydd hefyd wrth Moses, gan ddywedyd, 12 Ac wele, mi a gymerais y Lefiaid o blith meibion Israel, yn lle pob cyntaf‐anedig sef pob cyntaf a agoro’r groth o feibion Israel; am hynny y Lefiaid a fyddant eiddof fi: 13 Canys eiddof fi yw pob cyntaf‐anedig Ar y dydd y trewais y cyntaf‐anedig yn nhir yr Aifft, cysegrais i mi fy hun bob cyntaf‐anedig yn Israel o ddyn ac anifail: eiddof fi ydynt: myfi yw yr Arglwydd.

14 Yr Arglwydd hefyd a lefarodd wrth Moses yn anialwch Sinai, gan ddywedyd 15 Cyfrif feibion Lefi yn ôl tŷ eu tadau, trwy eu teuluoedd: cyfrif hwynt, bob gwryw, o fab misyriad ac uchod. 16 A Moses a’u cyfrifodd hwynt wrth air yr Arglwydd, fel y gorchmynasid iddo. 17 A’r rhai hyn oedd feibion Lefi wrth eu henwau; Gerson, a Cohath, a Merari. 18 A dyma enwau meibion Gerson, yn ôl eu teuluoedd; Libni a Simei. 19 A meibion Cohath, yn ôl eu teuluoedd Amram, Ishar, Hebron, ac Ussiel. 20 A meibion Merari, yn ôl eu teuluoedd Mahli a Musi. Dyma deuluoedd Lefi, wrth dŷ eu tadau. 21 O Gerson y daeth tylwyth y Libniaid, a thylwyth y Simiaid: dyma deuluoedd y Gersoniaid. 22 Eu rhifedigion hwynt, dan rif pob gwryw o fab misyriad ac uchod, eu rhifedigion, meddaf, oedd saith mil a phum cant. 23 Teuluoedd y Gersoniaid awersyllantar y tu ôl i’r tabernacl tua’r gorllewin. 24 A phennaeth tŷ tad y Gersoniaid fydd Eliasaff mab Lael. 25 A chadwraeth meibion Gerson, ym mhabell y cyfarfod, fydd y tabernacl, a’r babell, ei tho hefyd, a chaeadlen drws pabell y cyfarfod, 26 A llenni’r cynteddfa, a chaeadlen drws y cynteddfa, yr hwn sydd ynghylch y tabernacl, a’r allor o amgylch, a’i rhaffau i’w holl wasanaeth.

27 Ac o Cohath y daeth tylwyth yr Amramiaid, a thylwyth yr Ishariaid, a thylwyth yr Hebroniaid, a thylwyth yr Ussieliaid: dyma dylwyth y Cohathiaid. 28 Rhifedi yr holl wrywiaid, o fab misyriad ac uchod, oedd wyth mil a chwe chant, yn cadw cadwraeth y cysegr. 29 Teuluoedd meibion Cohath awersyllantar ystlys y tabernacl tua’r deau. 30 A phennaeth tŷ tad tylwyth y Cohathiaid fydd Elisaffan mab Ussiel. 31 A’u cadwraeth hwynt fydd yr arch, a’r bwrdd, a’r canhwyllbren, a’r allorau, a llestri’r cysegr, y rhai y gwasanaethant â hwynt, a’r gaeadlen, a’i holl wasanaeth. 32 A phennaf ar benaethiaid y Lefiaid fydd Eleasar mab Aaron yr offeiriad; a llywodraeth ar geidwaid cadwraeth y cysegr fydd iddo ef.

33 O Merari y daeth tylwyth y Mahliaid, a thylwyth y Musiaid: dyma dylwyth Merari. 34 A’u rhifedigion hwynt, wrth gyfrif pob gwryw, o fab misyriad ac uchod, oedd chwe mil a deucant. 35 A phennaeth tŷ tad tylwyth Merari fydd Suriel mab Abihael. Ar ystlys y tabernacl y gwersyllant tua’r gogledd. 36 Ac yng nghadwraeth meibion Merari y bydd ystyllod y tabernacl, a’i drosolion, a’i golofnau, a’i forteisiau, a’i holl offer, a’i holl wasanaeth, 37 A cholofnau’r cynteddfa o amgylch, a’u morteisiau, a’u hoelion, a’u rhaffau.

38 A’r rhai a wersyllant o flaen y tabernacl tua’r dwyrain, o flaen pabell y cyfarfod tua chodiad haul, fydd Moses, ac Aaron a’i feibion, y rhai a gadwant gadwraeth y cysegr, a chadwraeth meibion Israel: a’r dieithr a ddelo yn agos, a roddir i farwolaeth. 39 Holl rifedigion y Lefiaid, y rhai a rifodd Moses ac Aaron, yn ôl gair yr Arglwydd, trwy eu teuluoedd, sef pob gwryw o fab misyriad ac uchod, oedd ddwy fil ar hugain.

40 A dywedodd yr Arglwydd wrth Moses, Cyfrif bob cyntaf‐anedig gwryw o feibion Israel, o fab misyriad ac uchod, a chymer rifedi eu henwau hwynt. 41 A chymer y Lefiaid i mi, (myfi yw yr Arglwydd,) yn lle holl gyntaf‐anedig meibion Israel, ac anifeiliaid y Lefiaid yn lle pob cyntaf‐anedig o anifeiliaid meibion Israel. 42 A Moses a rifodd, megis y gorchmynnodd yr Arglwydd iddo, bobcyntaf‐anedig o feibion Israel. 43 A’r rhai cyntaf‐anedig oll, o rai gwryw, dan rif eu henwau, o fab misyriad ac uchod, o’u rhifedigion hwynt, oedd ddwy fil ar hugain a dau cant a thri ar ddeg a thrigain.

44 A llefarodd yr Arglwydd wrth Moses gan ddywedyd, 45 Cymer y Lefiaid yn lle pob cyntaf‐anedig o feibion Israel, ac anifeiliaid y Lefiaid yn lle eu hanifeiliaid hwynt; a bydded y Lefiaid i mi: myfi yw yr Arglwydd. 46 Ac am y rhai sydd i’w prynu o’r tri ar ddeg a thrigain a deucant, o gyntaf‐anedig meibion Israel, y rhai sydd dros ben y Lefiaid; 47 Cymer bum sicl am bob pen; yn ôl sicl y cysegr y cymeri. Ugain gera fydd y sicl. 48 A dod yr arian, gwerth y rhai sydd yn ychwaneg ohonynt, i Aaron ac i’w feibion. 49 A chymerodd Moses arian y prynedigaeth, y rhai oedd dros ben y rhai a brynwyd am y Lefiaid: 50 Gan gyntaf‐anedig meibion Israel y cymerodd efe yr arian; pump a thrigain a thri chant a mil, o siclau y cysegr. 51 A Moses a roddodd arian y prynedigion i Aaron ac i’w feibion, yn ôl gair yr Arglwydd, megis y gorchmynasai yr Arglwydd i Moses.