Numbers 4
4
The Census of the Kohathites
1Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 2“Take a census#Literally “and lift up the number of” of the descendants#Or “sons” of Kohath from the midst of the descendants#Or “sons” of Levi, according to their clans and their families,#Literally “the house of their fathers” 3from thirty years old#Literally “a son of thirty years” and above, up to fifty years old,#Literally “a son of fifty years” everyone who comes to the service to do the work in the tent of assembly. 4This is the work of the descendants#Or “sons” of Kohath in the tent of assembly, concerning the holiness of the sanctuary: 5When setting out the camp, Aaron and his sons will go and lower the curtain of the covering and cover with it the ark of the testimony.#Or “the ark of the covenant” 6They will put on it a covering of fine leather,#Literally “the hide of a sea cow” and they will spread a cloth of perfect blue over it, and they will place its poles. 7And over the table of the presence they will spread out a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes, and libation bowls, and the pitchers of the libation; and the bread of continuity will be on it. 8They will spread over it a scarlet cloth, and they will cover it with a covering of fine leather,#Literally “the hide of a sea cow” and they will place its poles. 9They will take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand for the light source, its lamps, a pair of its tongs, its small pans, and all the vessels of its oil with which they attend to it. 10They will put it and all its vessels inside a covering of fine leather#Literally “the hide of a sea cow” and put it on the carrying frame. 11Over the altar of gold they will spread a blue cloth, and they will cover it with a covering of fine leather#Literally “the hide of a sea cow” and place its poles. 12They will take all the vessels of the cultic service with which they serve in the sanctuary and put them on a blue cloth, and they will cover them with a covering of fine leather;#Literally “the hide of a sea cow” and they will put them on the carrying frame. 13They will remove the fat-soaked ashes from the altar and spread a purple cloth over it; 14they will put on it all the vessels with which they serve, the fire pans, forks, shovels, and bowls—all the vessels of the altar. They will spread on it a covering of fine leather;#Literally “the hide of a sea cow” and they will place its poles. 15And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the vessels of the sanctuary when the camp sets out, the descendants#Or “sons” of Kohath will come after to carry these, but they must not touch the sanctuary, or they will die. These are the load of the descendants#Or “sons” of Kohath in the tent of assembly.
16“Eleazar son of Aaron the priest is to supervise the oil of the light source, the incense, the regular grain offering,#Literally “the grain offering of continuity” the oil of anointment, the supervision of all the tabernacle and all that is in it, in the sanctuary and in its vessels.”
17Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 18“You must not cut off the tribe of the clan of the Kohathites#Hebrew “Kohathite” from the midst of the Levites. 19Do this to them and they will live and not die when they come near the most holy things. Aaron and his sons will go and appoint them, each one to his task and burden. 20But they must not go and look for a moment#Literally “as devouring” at the holy objects.”
21Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 22“Take a census#Literally “And lift up the number of” of the descendants#Or “sons” of Gershon also, according to their families#Literally “the house of their fathers” and clans, 23from those twenty years old#Literally “a son of twenty years” and above until fifty years old;#Literally “a son of fifty years” you will muster#Or “count,” or “summon,” or “enroll” them, all who come to help to do the work of the tent of assembly. 24This is the work of the clans of the Gershonites:#Hebrew “Gershonite” to serve and to carry. 25They will carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the tent of assembly and its covering and the covering of fine leather,#Literally “the hide of a sea cow” which is on top of it,#Literally “is above upon it” and the curtain of the doorway of the tent of assembly, 26and the curtains of the courtyard, and the covering for the doorway of the gate of the courtyard, which is all around on the tabernacle and altar, and their cords and all the vessels of their work; and all that is done to them they will do. 27And all the work of the descendants#Or “sons” of the Gershonites#Hebrew “Gershonite” will be at the command#Literally “the mouth” of Aaron and his sons, for all they are to carry and for all their work, and you will appoint to them responsibility for all they are to carry. 28This is the work of the clan of the descendants#Or “sons” of the Gershonites#Hebrew “Gershonite” in the tent of assembly, and their responsibility lies under the direction#Literally “in the hand” of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
29“For the descendants#Or “sons” of Merari according to their clans, according to their families,#Literally “the house of their fathers” you will muster#Or “count,” or “summon,” or “enroll” them; 30from those thirty years old#Literally “a son of thirty years” and above until fifty years old;#Literally “a son of fifty years” you will muster#Or “count,” or “summon,” or “enroll” them, all who come to do the work of the tent of assembly. 31And this is the responsibility of those who are to carry,#Literally “them carrying” all their work in the tent of assembly: the frames of the tabernacle and its bars, pillars, and bases, 32and the pillars of the courtyard all around, and their bases, pegs, and cords, with all their vessels and for all their work. You will appoint by name the vessels that they are responsible to carry. 33This is the work of the clan of the descendants#Or “sons” of Merari, for all their work in the tent of assembly under the direction#Literally “in the hand” of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.”
34And Moses and Aaron mustered the leaders of the community according to the house of their families,#Literally “the house of their fathers” 35from those thirty years old#Literally “a son of thirty years” and above until fifty years old;#Literally “a son of fifty years” everyone who comes to the service to work in the tent of assembly, 36the ones counted#Literally “the ones counted of them,” or “the ones mustered of them” were two thousand seven hundred and fifty. 37These were those counted of the clans of the Kohathites,#Hebrew “Kohathite” everyone who served in the tent of assembly whom Moses and Aaron mustered#Or “counted,” or “summoned,” or “enrolled” according to the command#Literally “the mouth” of Yahweh by the hand of Moses.#Or “through Moses”
38And the descendants#Or “sons” of Gershon counted according to their clans and according to their families,#Literally “the house of their fathers” 39from those thirty years old#Literally “a son of thirty years” and above until fifty years old,#Literally “a son of fifty years” everyone who comes to the service to work in the tent of assembly; 40the ones counted,#Literally “the ones counted of them,” or “the ones mustered of them” according to their clans, according to their families,#Literally “the house of their fathers” were two thousand six hundred and thirty. 41These were those counted of the clans of the descendants#Or “sons” of Gershon, everyone who serves in the tent of assembly whom Moses and Aaron mustered#Or “counted,” or “summoned,” or “enrolled” according to the command#Literally “the mouth” of Yahweh.
42Those counted of the clans of the descendants#Or “sons” of Merari according to their clans, according to their families,#Literally “the house of their fathers” 43from those thirty years old#Literally “thirty years and above” and above until fifty years old,#Literally “a son of fifty years” everyone who comes to the service to work in the tent of assembly, 44the ones counted,#Literally “the ones counted of them,” or “the ones mustered of them” according to their clans, were three thousand two hundred. 45These were those counted of the clans of the descendants#Or “sons” of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron mustered#Or “counted,” or “summoned,” or “enrolled” according to the command#Literally “the mouth” of Yahweh by the hand of Moses.#Or “through Moses”
46All those counted of the Levites whom Moses and Aaron and all the leaders of Israel mustered#Or “counted,” or “summoned,” or “enrolled” according to their clans, according to their families,#Literally “the house of their fathers” 47from those thirty years old#Literally “a son of thirty years” and above until fifty years old,#Literally “a son of fifty years” everyone who comes to the service to do the work of the service carrying in the tent of assembly, 48the ones counted#Literally “the ones counted of them,” or “the ones mustered of them” were eighty thousand five hundred and eighty. 49According to the command#Literally “the mouth” of Yahweh by the hand of Moses#Or “through Moses” they were mustered,#Hebrew “he mustered” each man according to his service and according to their#Hebrew “his” service and according to their#Hebrew “his” burden; and so they were counted by him just as Yahweh commanded Moses.
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Numbers 4
4
Duties of the Kohathites
1The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron: 2“Among the Levites, take a census of the Kohathites#Ex 6:16,18; Nm 3:27–31; 1Ch 6:22–28 by their clans and their ancestral families,#4:2 Lit the house of their fathers, also in vv. 22,29,34,38,40,42,46 3men from thirty years old to fifty years old — everyone who is qualified#4:3 Lit everyone entering the service to do work at the tent of meeting.
4“The service of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting concerns the most holy objects.#Nm 3:30–31; 4:15–19 5Whenever the camp is about to move on, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the screening curtain, and cover the ark of the testimony with it.#Ex 25:10–22; 26:31–33 6They are to place over this a covering made of fine leather,#4:6 Hb obscure, also in vv. 8,10,11,12,14,25#Ex 25:5; 26:14; 35:7,23; 36:19,34 spread a solid blue cloth on top, and insert its poles.#Ex 25:13–15
7“They are to spread a blue cloth over the table of the Presence and place the plates and cups on it, as well as the bowls and pitchers for the drink offering. The regular bread offering is to be on it.#Ex 25:30; Lv 24:5–9 8They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover them with a covering made of fine leather, and insert the poles in the table.#Ex 25:26–28
9“They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand#Ex 25:31–35; 26:35; 37:17–20 used for light, with its lamps, snuffers, and firepans,#Ex 25:38; 37:23; Nm 4:14 as well as its jars of oil by which they service it. 10Then they are to place it with all its utensils inside a covering made of fine leather and put them on the carrying frame.
11“They are to spread a blue cloth over the gold altar,#Ex 30:1–3; 31:8; 39:38; 40:5,26 cover it with a covering made of fine leather, and insert its poles.#Ex 30:4; 35:15 12They are to take all the serving utensils they use in the sanctuary, place them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering made of fine leather, and put them on a carrying frame.
13“They are to remove the ashes from the bronze altar, spread a purple cloth over it, 14and place all the equipment on it that they use in serving: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and basins — all the equipment of the altar.#Ex 27:3; 38:3; Nm 7:13–8:4 They are to spread a covering made of fine leather over it and insert its poles.#4:14 Sam, LXX add They are to take a purple cloth and cover the wash basin and its base. They are to place them in a covering made of fine leather and put them on the carrying frame.#Ex 27:7
15“Aaron and his sons are to finish covering the holy objects and all their equipment whenever the camp is to move on. The Kohathites will come and carry them, but they are not to touch the holy objects or they will die.#Nm 1:51; 4:20; 8:19; 18:7 These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the tent of meeting.
16“Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has oversight of the lamp oil,#Ex 25:6; 27:20; Lv 4:2 the fragrant incense,#Ex 25:6; 30:7; Lv 4:7 the daily grain offering,#Lv 6:20–22 and the anointing oil.#Ex 25:6; 29:7,21; Lv 8:2,10,12,30 He has oversight of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, the holy objects and their utensils.”#4:16 Or the sanctuary and its furnishings
17Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron: 18“Do not allow the Kohathite tribal clans to be wiped out from the Levites. 19Do this for them so that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy objects:#Nm 3:31; 4:4 Aaron and his sons are to go in and assign each man his task and transportation duty. 20The Kohathites are not to go in and look at the holy objects as they are covered#4:20 Or objects, even long enough to swallow, or they will die.”
Duties of the Gershonites
21The Lord spoke to Moses: 22“Take a census of the Gershonites#Nm 3:17,21–26 also, by their ancestral families and their clans. 23Register men from thirty years old to fifty years old, everyone who is qualified to perform service, to do work at the tent of meeting. 24This is the service of the Gershonite clans regarding work and transportation duties: 25They are to transport the tabernacle curtains,#Ex 26:1–13; 36:8–17 the tent of meeting with its covering and the covering made of fine leather on top of it, the screen for the entrance to the tent of meeting, 26the hangings of the courtyard, the screen for the entrance at the gate of the courtyard that surrounds the tabernacle and the altar, along with their ropes and all the equipment for their service. They will carry out everything that needs to be done with these items.
27“All the service of the Gershonites, all their transportation duties and all their other work, is to be done at the command of Aaron and his sons; you are to assign to them all that they are responsible to carry. 28This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the tent of meeting, and their duties will be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.#Ex 6:23; 28:1; 38:21
Duties of the Merarites
29“As for the Merarites, you are to register them by their clans#Ex 6:16,19; Nm 3:17,33–37 and their ancestral families. 30Register men from thirty years old to fifty years old, everyone who is qualified to do the work of the tent of meeting. 31This is what they are responsible to carry as the whole of their service at the tent of meeting: the supports of the tabernacle, with its crossbars, pillars, and bases, 32the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes, including all their equipment and all the work related to them. You are to assign by name the items that they are responsible to carry. 33This is the service of the Merarite clans regarding all their work at the tent of meeting, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.”
Census of the Levites
34So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the community registered the Kohathites by their clans and their ancestral families, 35men from thirty years old to fifty years old, everyone who was qualified for work at the tent of meeting. 36The men registered by their clans numbered 2,750. 37These were the registered men of the Kohathite clans, everyone who could serve at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron registered them at the Lord’s command through Moses.
38The Gershonites were registered by their clans and their ancestral families, 39men from thirty years old to fifty years old, everyone who was qualified for work at the tent of meeting. 40The men registered by their clans and their ancestral families numbered 2,630. 41These were the registered men of the Gershonite clans. At the Lord’s command Moses and Aaron registered everyone who could serve at the tent of meeting.
42The men of the Merarite clans were registered by their clans and their ancestral families, 43those from thirty years old to fifty years old, everyone who was qualified for work at the tent of meeting. 44The men registered by their clans numbered 3,200. 45These were the registered men of the Merarite clans; Moses and Aaron registered them at the Lord’s command through Moses.
46Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel registered all the Levites by their clans and their ancestral families, 47from thirty years old to fifty years old, everyone who was qualified to do the work of serving at the tent of meeting and transporting it. 48Their registered men numbered 8,580. 49At the Lord’s command they were registered under the direction of Moses, each one according to his work and transportation duty, and his assignment was as the Lord commanded Moses.
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