The Duties of the Kohathites (Numbers 3:27–32; 1 Chronicles 23:12–20)
2 UDB "Write down the names of the men who belong to the clans descended from Kohath. BSB BSB: “Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families,
3 UDB Write the names of the men who are between thirty and fifty years old. These will be men who will do work at the sacred tent. BSB BSB: men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.
4 UDB The work of these descendants of Kohath will be to take care of the sacred items that are used when the people worship at the sacred tent. BSB BSB: This service of the Kohathites at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things.
5 UDB When you Israelites move to another location, Aaron and his sons must enter the tent to take down the curtain that separates the very holy place from the holy place in the sacred tent. They must cover the sacred chest with that curtain. BSB BSB: Whenever the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimony with it.
6 UDB Then they must cover that with a covering made from fine leather skins. Over that they must spread a blue cloth. Then they must insert into the rings on the chest the poles for carrying it. BSB BSB: They are to place over this a covering of fine leather, spread a solid blue cloth over it, and insert its poles.
7 UDB Then they must put a blue cloth over the table on which the priests will put the bread to display before God. On top of the cloth they must put the bowls for incense, the pans, the other dishes, the jars for the wine that will be offered as a sacrifice, and the sacred bread. BSB BSB: Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and place the plates and cups on it, along with the bowls and pitchers for the drink offering. The regular bread offering is to remain on it.
8 UDB Over all of this they must spread a scarlet cloth. Finally, they must put on top a covering made from fine leather skins. Then they must insert into the rings at the corners of the tables the poles for carrying it. BSB BSB: And they shall spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover them with fine leather, and insert the poles.
9 UDB Then with another blue cloth they must cover the lampstand, the lamps, the lamp snuffers, the trays, and the special jars of olive oil to burn in the lamps. BSB BSB: They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand used for light, together with its lamps, wick trimmers, and trays, as well as the jars of oil with which to supply it.
10 UDB They must cover the lampstand and all the other items with a covering made from fine leather skins. They must place all these things on a frame for carrying them. BSB BSB: Then they shall wrap it and all its utensils inside a covering of fine leather and put it on the carrying frame.
11 UDB Then they must spread another blue cloth over the gold altar which is used for burning incense. Over this they must spread a covering made from fine leather skins. Then they must insert into the rings of that altar the poles for carrying it. BSB BSB: Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with fine leather, and insert the poles.
12 UDB They must take all the other items that are inside the sacred tent and wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with a covering made from fine leather skins, and place all that on a frame for carrying it. BSB BSB: They are to take all the utensils for serving in the sanctuary, place them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine leather, and put them on the carrying frame.
13 UDB Then they must remove the ashes from the altar on which they have burned sacrifices. Then they must cover the altar with a purple cloth. BSB BSB: Then they shall remove the ashes from the bronze altar, spread a purple cloth over it,
14 UDB Then they must spread on top of the cloth all the items used at the altar—the pans for carrying the hot coals, the meat forks, the shovels, the bowls that hold the blood to sprinkle on the people, and all the other containers. Then they must spread over all those things a covering made from fine leather skins. Then they must insert into the rings at the sides of the altar the poles for carrying it. BSB BSB: and place on it all the vessels used to serve there: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and sprinkling bowls—all the equipment of the altar. They are to spread over it a covering of fine leather and insert the poles.
16 UDB Aaron's son Eleazar will have the work of taking care of the olive oil for the lamps, the sweet smelling incense, the flour that will be burned on the altar each day, and the olive oil for anointing the priests. Eleazar is the one who will supervise the work that is done at the sacred tent and the men who take care of everything that is in it." BSB BSB: Eleazar son of Aaron the priest shall oversee the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the daily grain offering, and the anointing oil. He has oversight of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including the holy objects and their utensils.”
17 UDB Then Yahweh said to Aaron and Moses, BSB BSB: Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
18 UDB "When the descendants of Kohath approach the sacred items in the sacred tent to take them to another location, Aaron and his sons must always go in with them and show each of them what work to do and what things to carry. But the descendants of Kohath must not enter the sacred tent at any other time and look at the things that are in it. If they do that, I will get rid of all the descendants of Kohath." BSB BSB: “Do not allow the Kohathite tribal clans to be cut off from among the Levites.
The Duties of the Gershonites (Numbers 3:21–26; 1 Chronicles 23:7–11)
21 UDB Yahweh also said to Moses, BSB BSB: And the LORD said to Moses,
22 UDB "Write down the names of all the men who belong to the clans descended from Gershon. BSB BSB: “Take a census of the Gershonites as well, by their families and clans,
23 UDB Write the names of the men who are between thirty and fifty years old. They will be men who will also do work at the sacred tent. BSB BSB: from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.
24 UDB This is the work that they must do and the things that they must carry when you move to a new location: BSB BSB: This is the service of the Gershonite clans regarding work and transport:
25 UDB They must carry the curtains of the sacred tent. They must carry the sacred tent and all the things that cover it, including the outer covering made from fine leather skins, and the curtain which is at the entrance of the sacred tent. BSB BSB: They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting with the covering of fine leather over it, the curtains for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,
26 UDB They must also carry the curtains that form the wall that surrounds the courtyard that surrounds the sacred tent and the altar, the curtain that is at the entrance to the courtyard, and the ropes that fasten the curtains. They must also do the packing and loading of these things. BSB BSB: the curtains of the courtyard, and the curtains for the entrance at the gate of the courtyard that surrounds the tabernacle and altar, along with their ropes and all the equipment for their service. The Gershonites will do all that needs to be done with these items.
27 UDB Aaron and his sons will supervise the work of all the descendants of Gershom. That work includes carrying those things and doing other work that is necessary for moving them. They must tell each of the descendants of Gershom what things they must carry. BSB BSB: All the service of the Gershonites—all their transport duties and other work—is to be done at the direction of Aaron and his sons; you are to assign to them all that they are responsible to carry.
28 UDB Those are the tasks that you must give to the men who belong to the clans descended from Gershom. Aaron's son Ithamar is the one who will supervise their work. BSB BSB: This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the Tent of Meeting, and their duties shall be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
The Duties of the Merarites (Numbers 3:33–37; 1 Chronicles 23:21–23)
29 UDB Count also the men who belong to the clans descended from Merari. BSB BSB: As for the sons of Merari, you are to number them by their clans and families,
30 UDB Write the names of the men who are between thirty and fifty years old. They will be men who will also work at the sacred tent. BSB BSB: from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work of the Tent of Meeting.
31 UDB Their work will be to carry the frames that hold up the sacred tent, the crossbars, the posts that hold up the curtains, and the bases. BSB BSB: This is the duty for all their service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle with its crossbars, posts, and bases,
32 UDB They must also carry the posts for the curtains that form the walls of the courtyard and the bases for the posts, the tent pegs, and the ropes to fasten the curtains. Tell each man what things he must carry. BSB BSB: and the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes, including all their equipment and everything related to their use. You shall assign by name the items that they are responsible to carry.
33 UDB Those are the tasks that the descendants of Merari must do at the sacred tent. Aaron's son Ithamar is the one who will supervise them." BSB BSB: This is the service of the Merarite clans according to all their work at the Tent of Meeting, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.”
The Numbering of the Levite Clans 34 UDB So Aaron and Moses and the Israelite leaders counted the descendants of Kohath, writing also the names of their clans and family groups. BSB BSB: So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the congregation numbered the Kohathites by their clans and families,
35 UDB They counted all the men who were between thirty and fifty years old who were able to work at the sacred tent. BSB BSB: everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.
36 UDB The total was 2,750 men. BSB BSB: And those numbered by their clans totaled 2,750.
37 UDB They were the descendants of Kohath who were able to work at the sacred tent. Aaron and Moses counted them just as Yahweh had commanded Moses. BSB BSB: These were counted from the Kohathite clans, everyone who could serve at the Tent of Meeting. Moses and Aaron numbered them according to the command of the LORD through Moses.
38 UDB They also counted the descendants of Gershon, writing also the names of their clans and family groups. BSB BSB: Then the Gershonites were numbered by their clans and families,
39 UDB They counted all the men who were between thirty and fifty years old who were able to work at the sacred tent. BSB BSB: everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.
40 UDB The total was 2,630 men. BSB BSB: And those numbered by their clans and families totaled 2,630.
41 UDB They were the descendants of Gershon who were able to work at the sacred tent. Aaron and Moses counted them as Yahweh had commanded. BSB BSB: These were counted from the Gershonite clans who served at the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted at the LORD’s command.
42 UDB They also counted the descendants of Merari, writing also the names of their clans and family groups. BSB BSB: And the Merarites were numbered by their clans and families,
43 UDB They counted all the men who were between thirty and fifty years old who were able to work at the sacred tent. BSB BSB: everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.
44 UDB The total was 3,200 men. BSB BSB: The men registered by their clans numbered 3,200.
45 UDB They were the descendants of Merari who were able to work. Aaron and Moses counted them as Yahweh had commanded Moses. BSB BSB: These were counted from the Merarite clans, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the LORD’s command through Moses.
46 UDB So Aaron and Moses and the Israelite leaders counted all the descendants of Levi, writing also the names of their clans and family groups. BSB BSB: So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel numbered by their clans and families all the Levites
47 UDB They counted all the men who were between thirty and fifty years old. They were ones who were able to work at the sacred tent and who carried the tent and everything that was connected with it. BSB BSB: from thirty to fifty years old who came to do the work of serving and carrying the Tent of Meeting.
48 UDB The total was 8,580 men. BSB BSB: And the number of men was 8,580.
49 UDB They completed the counting of all the descendants of Levi, as Yahweh had commanded Moses. And they told each man what work he was to do and what things he must carry when they moved to a new location. BSB BSB: At the LORD’s command through Moses they were numbered, and each one was assigned his work and burden, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.