45 So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel;

46 Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

48 For the Lord had spoken unto Moses, saying,

49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:

50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

Read full chapter

45 All the Israelites twenty years old or more(A) who were able to serve in Israel’s army were counted according to their families.(B) 46 The total number was 603,550.(C)

47 The ancestral tribe of the Levites,(D) however, was not counted(E) along with the others. 48 The Lord had said to Moses: 49 “You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the census of the other Israelites. 50 Instead, appoint the Levites to be in charge of the tabernacle(F) of the covenant law(G)—over all its furnishings(H) and everything belonging to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they are to take care of it and encamp around it.

Read full chapter