¹⁴ The Lord said to Moses in the Desert of Sinai,^{(A) 15} “Count^(B) the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more.”^{(C) 16} So Moses counted them, as he was commanded by the word of the Lord.

These were the Levite clans, according to their families.

²¹ To Gershon^(L) belonged the clans of the Libnites and Shimeites;^(M) 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.^{(N) 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^(O) and tent, its coverings,^(P) the curtain at the entrance^(Q) to the tent of meeting,^{(R) 26} the curtains of the courtyard^(S), the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,^(T) and the ropes^(U)—and everything^(V) related to their use.

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

³³ To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites;^(AO) these were the Merarite clans.^{(AP) 34} The number of all the males a month old or more^(AQ) 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.^{(AR) 36} The Merarites were appointed^(AS) to take care of the frames of the tabernacle,^(AT) its crossbars,^(AU) posts,^(AV) bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,^{(AW) 37} as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard^(AX) with their bases, tent pegs^(AY) and ropes.

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

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

⁵⁷ These were the Levites^(A) who were counted by their clans:

⁶² All the male Levites a month old or more numbered 23,000.^(J) They were not counted^(K) along with the other Israelites because they received no inheritance^(L) among them.^(M)