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33 To Merari belonged[a] the clan of Mahlites[b] and the clan of the Mushites:[c] these are the clans of Merari. 34 The ones counted[d] according to the number of every male from one month[e] and above were six thousand two hundred. 35 The leader of the family[f] according to the clans of Merari is Zuriel son of Abihail; they will encamp of the side of the tabernacle to the north. 36 The responsibility of the sons of Merari was the supervision of the frames of the tabernacle, its bars, pillars, bases, and all its vessels and all its service, 37 and the pillars around the courtyard, and their bases, pegs, and cords.

38 Those encamped before the tabernacle to the east—before the tent of assembly to the east—were Moses and Aaron and his sons; they will keep the responsibility of the sanctuary for the Israelites;[g] and the stranger[h] who approaches will be put to death. 39 All those counted from the Levites whom Moses and Aaron mustered[i] according to the word of Yahweh,[j] according to their clans, every male from one month[k] and above were twenty-two thousand.

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Footnotes

  1. Numbers 3:33 Literally “for Merari was
  2. Numbers 3:33 Hebrew “Mahlite”
  3. Numbers 3:33 Hebrew “Mushite”
  4. Numbers 3:34 Literally “the ones counted of them,” or “the ones mustered of them”
  5. Numbers 3:34 Literally “the son of a month”
  6. Numbers 3:35 Literally “the house of his father”
  7. Numbers 3:38 Literally “for the responsibility of the children of Israel”
  8. Numbers 3:38 Or “outsider”
  9. Numbers 3:39 Or “counted,” or “summoned,” or “enrolled”
  10. Numbers 3:39 Literally “the mouth of Yahweh”
  11. Numbers 3:39 Literally “the son of a month”

33 The Mahlite clan and the Mushite clan came from Merari; these were the Merarite clans. 34 Those registered, counting every male one month old or more, numbered 6,200. 35 The leader of the family of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail; they camped on the north side of the tabernacle.(A) 36 The assigned duties of Merari’s descendants involved the tabernacle’s supports, crossbars, posts, bases, all its equipment, and all the work related to these,(B) 37 in addition to the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes.

38 Moses, Aaron, and his sons, who performed the duties of[a] the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites, camped in front of the tabernacle on the east,(C) in front of the tent of meeting toward the sunrise. Any unauthorized person who came near it was to be put to death.(D)

39 The total number of all the Levite males one month old or more that Moses and Aaron[b] registered by their clans at the Lord’s command was 22,000.

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Footnotes

  1. Numbers 3:38 Or who guarded
  2. Numbers 3:39 Some Hb mss, Sam, Syr omit and Aaron