Daily Bread

²¹ To Gershon^(A) belonged the clans of the Libnites and Shimeites;^(B) 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.^{(C) 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^(D) and tent, its coverings,^(E) the curtain at the entrance^(F) to the tent of meeting,^{(G) 26} the curtains of the courtyard^(H), the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,^(I) and the ropes^(J)—and everything^(K) related to their use.

²⁷ To Kohath^(L) belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites;^(M) these were the Kohathite^(N) clans. ²⁸ The number of all the males a month old or more^(O) was 8,600.^[a] The Kohathites were responsible^(P) for the care of the sanctuary.^{(Q) 29} The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side^(R) of the tabernacle. ³⁰ The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan^(S) son of Uzziel. ³¹ They were responsible for the care of the ark,^(T) the table,^(U) the lampstand,^(V) the altars,^(W) the articles^(X) of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain,^(Y) and everything related to their use.^{(Z) 32} The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar^(AA) son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible^(AB) for the care of the sanctuary.^(AC)

³³ To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites;^(AD) these were the Merarite clans.^{(AE) 34} The number of all the males a month old or more^(AF) 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.^{(AG) 36} The Merarites were appointed^(AH) to take care of the frames of the tabernacle,^(AI) its crossbars,^(AJ) posts,^(AK) bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,^{(AL) 37} as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard^(AM) with their bases, tent pegs^(AN) and ropes.

³⁸ Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east^(AO) of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, in front of the tent of meeting.^(AP) They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary^(AQ) on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.^(AR)

³⁹ The total number of Levites counted^(AS) at the Lord’s command by Moses and Aaron according to their clans, including every male a month old or more, was 22,000.^(AT)

⁴⁰ The Lord said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn Israelite males who are a month old or more^(AU) and make a list of their names.^{(AV) 41} Take the Levites for me in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites,^(AW) and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites. I am the Lord.”^(AX)

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,^(AY) listed by name, was 22,273.^(AZ)

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.^(BA) I am the Lord.^{(BB) 46} To redeem^(BC) the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites, ⁴⁷ collect five shekels^[b](BD) for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel,^(BE) which weighs twenty gerahs.^{(BF) 48} Give the money for the redemption^(BG) of the additional Israelites to Aaron and his sons.”^(BH)

⁴⁹ So Moses collected the redemption money^(BI) from those who exceeded the number redeemed by the Levites. ⁵⁰ From the firstborn of the Israelites^(BJ) he collected silver weighing 1,365 shekels,^[c](BK) 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.