Numbers 3:1-16 ▼

1 These also are the generations of Aaron and Moyses, in ye day that the Lorde spake with Moyses in mount Sinai.

2 And these are the names of the sonnes of Aaron: Nadab the eldest sonne, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

3 These are the names of the sonnes of Aaron whiche were priestes annoynted, and whose hande was consecrated to minister.

4 And Nadab and Abihu dyed before the Lorde, when they offred straunge fire befor the Lorde in the wyldernesse of Sinai, and had no chyldren: And Eleazar and Ithamar ministred in the sight of Aaron their father.

5 And the Lorde spake vnto Moyses, saying:

6 Bryng the tribe of Leui, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may serue hym:

7 And take the charge with hym, euen the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the seruice of the tabernacle.

8 They shall kepe all the instrumentes of the tabernacle of the congregation, & haue the charge of the chyldren of Israel, to do the seruice of the tabernacle.

9 And thou shalt geue the Leuites vnto Aaron and to his sonnes: for they are geuen and deliuered vnto hym of the chyldren of Israel.

10 And thou shalt appoynt Aaron and his sonnes to wayte on their priestes office: and the straunger that commeth nye, shalbe slayne.

11 And the Lorde spake vnto Moyses, saying:

12 Beholde, I haue taken the Leuites from among the chyldren of Israel for all the first borne that openeth the matrice among the chyldren of Israel, and the Leuites shalbe mine.

13 Because all the first borne are myne: for the same day that I smote all the first borne in the lande of Egypt, I halowed vnto me all the first borne in Israel, both man and beast, and mine they shalbe: I am the Lorde.

14 And the Lorde spake vnto Moyses in the wyldernesse of Sinai, saying:

15 Number the chyldren of Leui after the houses of their fathers in their kinredes: All that are males from a moneth old and aboue, shalt thou number.

16 And Moyses numbred them, according to the worde of the Lorde, as he was commaunded.