The Wilderness Years

for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They are Mine; I am the LORD.”

Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying,

“Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.”

So Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he had been commanded.

These were the sons of Levi by name: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

These were the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei.

The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

And the sons of Merari by their clans were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites, according to their families.

From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans.

The number of all the males a month old or more was 7,500.

The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle,

and the leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael.

The duties of the Gershonites at the Tent of Meeting were the tabernacle and tent, its covering, the curtain for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,

the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard that surrounds the tabernacle and altar, and the cords—all the service for these items.

From Kohath came the clans of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites; these were the clans of the Kohathites.

The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. They were responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.

The clans of the Kohathites were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle,

and the leader of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan son of Uzziel.

Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used with them, and the curtain—all the service for these items.

The chief of the leaders of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron the priest; he oversaw those responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.

From Merari came the clans of the Mahlites and Mushites; these were the Merarite clans.

The number of all the males a month old or more was 6,200.

The leader of the families of the Merarites was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.

The duties assigned to the sons of Merari were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the service for these items,

as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes.