Numbers 3:1-16 ▼

1 These also were the generations of Aaron & Moses, in the day that the Lorde spake with Moses in mount Sinai.

2 So these are the names of the sonnes of Aaron, Nadab the first borne, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

3 These are the names of the sonnes of Aaron the anoynted Priests, whom Moses did consecrate to minister in the Priests office.

4 And Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord, when they offred strange fire before the Lord in the wildernesse of Sinai, and had no children: but Eleazar and Ithamar serued in ye Priestes office in the sight of Aaron their father.

5 Then the Lord spake vnto Moses, saying,

6 Bring the tribe of Leui, and set the before Aaron the Priest that they may serue him,

7 And take the charge with him, euen the charge of the whole Congregation before the Tabernacle of the Congregation to doe the seruice of the Tabernacle.

8 They shall also keepe all the instrumentes of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and haue the charge of the children of Israel to doe the seruice of the Tabernacle.

9 And thou shalt giue the Leuites vnto Aaron and to his sonnes: for they are giuen him freely from among the children of Israel.

10 And thou shalt appoint Aaron & his sonnes to execute their Priestes office: and the stranger that commeth neere, shalbe slayne.

11 Also the Lord spake vnto Moses, saying,

12 Beholde, I haue euen taken the Leuites fro among the childre of Israel: for al the first borne that openeth the matrice among the children of Israel, and the Leuites shalbe mine,

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

14 Moreouer, the Lord spake vnto Moses in the wildernesse of Sinai, saying,

15 Nomber the children of Leui after the houses of their fathers, in their families: euery male from a moneth olde and aboue shalt thou nomber.

16 Then Moses nombred them according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded.