Numbers 1:44-54 ▼

44 These were the men numbered by Moses and Aaron, with the assistance of the twelve leaders of Israel, each one representing his family.

45 So all the Israelites twenty years of age or older who could serve in Israel’s army were counted according to their families.

46 And all those counted totaled 603,550.

47 The Levites, however, were not numbered along with them by the tribe of their fathers.

48 For the LORD had said to Moses:

49 “ Do not number the tribe of Levi in the census with the other Israelites.

50 Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it.

51 Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever it is to be pitched, the Levites are to set it up. Any outsider who goes near it must be put to death.

52 The Israelites are to camp by their divisions, each man in his own camp and under his own standard.

53 But the Levites are to camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony and watch over it, so that no wrath will fall on the congregation of Israel. So the Levites are responsible for the tabernacle of the Testimony.”

54 Thus the Israelites did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.