Numbers 3:21-37

21Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimeites; these were the families of the Gershonites. 22Their numbered men, in the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, even their numbered men were 7,500. 23The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the 1tabernacle westward, 24and the leader of the fathers’ households of the Gershonites was Eliasaph the son of Lael. 25Now 2the duties of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting involved the tabernacle and 3the tent, its covering, and 4the screen for the doorway of the tent of meeting, 26and 5the hangings of the court, and 6the screen for the doorway of the court which is around the tabernacle and the altar, and its cords, according to all the service 7concerning them.

27Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites and the family of the Izharites and the family of the Hebronites and the family of the Uzzielites; these were the families of the Kohathites. 28In the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, there were 8,600, performing the duties of the sanctuary. 29The families of the sons of Kohath were to camp on the southward side of the tabernacle, 30and the leader of the fathers’ households of the Kohathite families was 8Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. 31Now 9their duties involved 10the ark, 11the table, 12the lampstand, 13the altars, and the utensils of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the screen, and all the service 14concerning them; 32and Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was the chief of the leaders of Levi, and had the oversight of those who perform the duties of the sanctuary.

33Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari. 34Their numbered men in the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, were 6,200. 35The leader of the fathers’ households of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. They were to 15camp on the northward side of the tabernacle. 36Now the appointed duties of the sons of Merari involved the frames of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, all its equipment, and the service concerning them, 37and the pillars around the court with their sockets and their pegs and their cords.