Numbers 3:33-51 ▼

33 From Merari came the clans of the Mahlites and Mushites; these were the Merarite clans.

34 The number of all the males a month old or more was 6,200.

35 The leader of the families of the Merarites was Zuriel (my rock is God) son of Abihail (my father is might); they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.

36 The duties assigned to the sons of Merari (bitter) were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the service for these items,

37 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes.

38 Moses (drawn out), Aaron (light bringer), and Aaron’s sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, before the Tent of Meeting. They were to perform the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites (God prevails); but any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.

39 The total number of Levites that Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer) counted by their clans at the LORD’s {YHWH} command, including all the males a month old or more, was 22,000.

40 Then the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out), “Number every firstborn male of the Israelites (God prevails) a month old or more, and list their names.

41 You are to take the Levites for Me—I am the LORD {YHWH}—in place of all the firstborn of Israel (he wrestles with God), and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.”

42 So Moses (drawn out) numbered all the firstborn of the Israelites (God prevails), as the LORD {YHWH} had commanded him.

43 The total number of the firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273.

44 Again the LORD {YHWH} spoke to Moses (drawn out), saying,

45 “Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel (he wrestles with God), and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites belong to Me; I am the LORD {YHWH}.

46 To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites (God prevails) who outnumber the Levites,

47 you are to collect five shekels <2 oz / 57 g> for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs <0.4 oz / 11.4 g>.

48 Give the money to Aaron (light bringer) and his sons as the redemption price for the excess among the Israelites.”

49 So Moses (drawn out) collected the redemption money from those in excess of the number redeemed by the Levites.

50 He collected the money from the firstborn of the Israelites (God prevails): 1,365 shekels <34.3 lb / 15.6 kg>, according to the sanctuary shekel.

51 And Moses (drawn out) gave the redemption money to Aaron (light bringer) and his sons in obedience to the word of the LORD {YHWH}, just as the LORD had commanded him.