Numbers 4:21-49

The LORD said to Moses, “Count the Gershonites by families and family groups. Count the men from thirty to fifty years old, all who have a job to do in the Meeting Tent. “This is what the Gershonite family groups must do and what they must carry. They must carry the curtains of the Holy Tent, the Meeting Tent, its covering, and its outer covering made from fine leather. They must also carry the curtains for the entrance to the Meeting Tent, the curtains of the courtyard that go around the Holy Tent and the altar, the curtain for the entry to the courtyard, the ropes, and all the things used with the curtains. They must do everything connected with these things. Aaron and his sons are in charge of what the Gershonites do or carry; you tell them what they are responsible for carrying. This is the work of the Gershonite family group at the Meeting Tent. Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest, will direct their work. “Count the Merarite families and family groups. Count the men from thirty to fifty years old, all who work at the Meeting Tent. It is their job to carry the following as they serve in the Meeting Tent: the frames of the Holy Tent, the crossbars, the posts, and bases, in addition to the posts that go around the courtyard, their bases, tent pegs, ropes, and everything that is used with the poles around the courtyard. Tell each man exactly what to carry. This is the work the Merarite family group will do for the Meeting Tent. Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest, will direct their work.” Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel counted the Kohathites by families and family groups, the men from thirty to fifty years old who were to work at the Meeting Tent. There were 2,750 men in the family groups. This was the total of the Kohath family groups who worked at the Meeting Tent, whom Moses and Aaron counted as the LORD had commanded Moses. Also, the Gershonites were counted by families and family groups, the men from thirty to fifty years old who were given work at the Meeting Tent. The families and family groups had 2,630 men. This was the total of the Gershon family groups who worked at the Meeting Tent, whom Moses and Aaron counted as the LORD had commanded. Also, the men in the families and family groups of the Merari family were counted, the men from thirty to fifty years old who were to work at the Meeting Tent. The family groups had 3,200 men. This was the total of the Merari family groups, whom Moses and Aaron counted as the LORD had commanded Moses. So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel counted all the Levites by families and family groups. They counted the men from thirty to fifty who were given work at the Meeting Tent and who carried the Tent. The total number of these men was 8,580. Each man was counted as the LORD had commanded Moses; each man was given his work and told what to carry as the LORD had commanded Moses.