The Numbering of Merari

³³ From Merari came the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were^[a] the families of Merari. ³⁴ Those of them who were numbered, counting every male from a month old and upward, were 6,200. ³⁵ Now the leader of the clan of the families of Merari was Zuriel son of Abihail. These were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.

³⁶ The appointed responsibilities of the Merarites included the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, its posts, its sockets, its utensils, plus all the service connected with these things,^{[b] 37} and the pillars of the courtyard all around, with their sockets, their pegs, and their ropes.

³⁸ But those who were to camp in front of the tabernacle on the east, in front of the tent of meeting, were Moses, Aaron,^[c] and his sons. They were responsible for the needs^[d] of the sanctuary and for the needs of the Israelites, but the unauthorized person who approached was to be put to death. ³⁹ All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered by the word^[e] of the Lord, according to their families, every male from a month old and upward, were 22,000.