Numbers 4 - New International Version (NIV)

The Kohathites

4 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 2 “Take a census(A) of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families. 3 Count(B) all the men from thirty to fifty years of age(C) who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.

4 “This is the work(D) of the Kohathites(E) at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things.(F) 5 When the camp is to move,(G) Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain(H) and put it over the ark of the covenant law.(I) 6 Then they are to cover the curtain with a durable leather,[a](J) spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles(K) in place.

7 “Over the table of the Presence(L) they are to spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes and bowls, and the jars for drink offerings;(M) the bread that is continually there(N) is to remain on it. 8 They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover that with the durable leather and put the poles(O) in place.

9 “They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand that is for light, together with its lamps, its wick trimmers and trays,(P) and all its jars for the olive oil used to supply it. 10 Then they are to wrap it and all its accessories in a covering of the durable leather and put it on a carrying frame.(Q)

11 “Over the gold altar(R) they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with the durable leather and put the poles(S) in place.

12 “They are to take all the articles(T) used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame.(U)

13 “They are to remove the ashes(V) from the bronze altar(W) and spread a purple cloth over it. 14 Then they are to place on it all the utensils(X) used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans,(Y) meat forks,(Z) shovels(AA) and sprinkling bowls.(AB) Over it they are to spread a covering of the durable leather and put the poles(AC) in place.

15 “After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move,(AD) only then are the Kohathites(AE) to come and do the carrying.(AF) But they must not touch the holy things(AG) or they will die.(AH) The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting.

16 “Eleazar(AI) son of Aaron, the priest, is to have charge of the oil for the light,(AJ) the fragrant incense,(AK) the regular grain offering(AL) and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles.”

17 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 18 “See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not destroyed from among the Levites. 19 So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things,(AM) do this for them: Aaron and his sons(AN) are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry.(AO) 20 But the Kohathites must not go in to look(AP) at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”

The Gershonites

21 The Lord said to Moses, 22 “Take a census also of the Gershonites by their families and clans. 23 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age(AQ) who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.

24 “This is the service of the Gershonite clans in their carrying and their other work: 25 They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle,(AR) that is, the tent of meeting,(AS) its covering(AT) and its outer covering of durable leather, the curtains for the entrance to the tent of meeting, 26 the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,(AU) the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard,(AV) the ropes and all the equipment(AW) used in the service of the tent. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things. 27 All their service, whether carrying or doing other work, is to be done under the direction of Aaron and his sons.(AX) You shall assign to them as their responsibility(AY) all they are to carry. 28 This is the service of the Gershonite clans(AZ) at the tent of meeting. Their duties are to be under the direction of Ithamar(BA) son of Aaron, the priest.

The Merarites

29 “Count(BB) the Merarites by their clans and families.(BC) 30 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting. 31 As part of all their service at the tent, they are to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases,(BD) 32 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes,(BE) all their equipment and everything related to their use. Assign to each man the specific things he is to carry. 33 This is the service of the Merarite clans as they work at the tent of meeting under the direction of Ithamar(BF) son of Aaron, the priest.”

The Numbering of the Levite Clans

34 Moses, Aaron and the leaders of the community counted the Kohathites(BG) by their clans and families. 35 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age(BH) who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting, 36 counted by clans, were 2,750. 37 This was the total of all those in the Kohathite clans(BI) who served at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command through Moses.

38 The Gershonites(BJ) were counted by their clans and families. 39 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting, 40 counted by their clans and families, were 2,630. 41 This was the total of those in the Gershonite clans who served at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command.

42 The Merarites were counted by their clans and families. 43 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age(BK) who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting, 44 counted by their clans, were 3,200. 45 This was the total of those in the Merarite clans.(BL) Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command through Moses.

46 So Moses, Aaron and the leaders of Israel counted(BM) all the Levites by their clans and families. 47 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age(BN) who came to do the work of serving and carrying the tent of meeting 48 numbered 8,580.(BO) 49 At the Lord’s command through Moses, each was assigned his work and told what to carry.

Thus they were counted,(BP) as the Lord commanded Moses.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 4:6 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals; also in verses 8, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 25

Cross references

  1. Numbers 4:2 : S Ex 30:12
  2. Numbers 4:3 : S Nu 1:47
  3. Numbers 4:3 : ver 23; Nu 8:25; 1Ch 23:3, 24, 27; Ezr 3:8
  4. Numbers 4:4 : S Nu 3:28
  5. Numbers 4:4 : Nu 7:9
  6. Numbers 4:4 : ver 19
  7. Numbers 4:5 : Nu 1:51
  8. Numbers 4:5 : S Ex 26:31, 33
  9. Numbers 4:5 : 1Ch 23:26
  10. Numbers 4:6 : S Ex 25:5
  11. Numbers 4:6 : S Ex 25:13-15; 1Ki 8:7; 2Ch 5:8
  12. Numbers 4:7 : S Lev 24:6
  13. Numbers 4:7 : Ex 39:36; Jer 52:19
  14. Numbers 4:7 : S Ex 25:30
  15. Numbers 4:8 : Ex 26:26-28
  16. Numbers 4:9 : S Ex 25:38
  17. Numbers 4:10 : ver 12
  18. Numbers 4:11 : S Ex 30:1
  19. Numbers 4:11 : Ex 30:4
  20. Numbers 4:12 : Nu 3:31
  21. Numbers 4:12 : ver 10
  22. Numbers 4:13 : S Lev 1:16
  23. Numbers 4:13 : Ex 27:1-8; Nu 3:31
  24. Numbers 4:14 : S Ex 31:9
  25. Numbers 4:14 : S Ex 27:3
  26. Numbers 4:14 : 1Ch 28:17; 2Ch 4:16
  27. Numbers 4:14 : 2Ch 4:11
  28. Numbers 4:14 : Ex 27:3; Nu 7:84; 2Ch 4:8; Jer 52:18
  29. Numbers 4:14 : Ex 27:6
  30. Numbers 4:15 : ver 5
  31. Numbers 4:15 : S Nu 3:27
  32. Numbers 4:15 : Nu 7:9
  33. Numbers 4:15 : ver 4
  34. Numbers 4:15 : S Ex 28:43; Nu 1:51; 2Sa 6:6, 7
  35. Numbers 4:16 : Lev 10:6; Nu 3:32
  36. Numbers 4:16 : S Ex 25:6
  37. Numbers 4:16 : S Ex 25:6
  38. Numbers 4:16 : S Ex 29:41; Lev 6:14-23
  39. Numbers 4:19 : S ver 15
  40. Numbers 4:19 : ver 27
  41. Numbers 4:19 : S Nu 3:32
  42. Numbers 4:20 : S Ex 19:21
  43. Numbers 4:23 : S ver 3
  44. Numbers 4:25 : Ex 27:10-18
  45. Numbers 4:25 : Nu 3:25
  46. Numbers 4:25 : Ex 26:14
  47. Numbers 4:26 : Ex 27:9
  48. Numbers 4:26 : Ex 27:16
  49. Numbers 4:26 : Nu 3:26
  50. Numbers 4:27 : ver 19
  51. Numbers 4:27 : Nu 3:25, 26
  52. Numbers 4:28 : Nu 7:7
  53. Numbers 4:28 : S Ex 6:23
  54. Numbers 4:29 : S Ex 30:12
  55. Numbers 4:29 : S Ge 46:11
  56. Numbers 4:31 : Nu 3:36
  57. Numbers 4:32 : Nu 3:37
  58. Numbers 4:33 : S Ex 38:21
  59. Numbers 4:34 : ver 2
  60. Numbers 4:35 : ver 3
  61. Numbers 4:37 : S Nu 3:27
  62. Numbers 4:38 : S Ge 46:11
  63. Numbers 4:43 : ver 3
  64. Numbers 4:45 : ver 29
  65. Numbers 4:46 : Nu 1:19
  66. Numbers 4:47 : ver 3
  67. Numbers 4:48 : Nu 3:39
  68. Numbers 4:49 : S Nu 1:47

You Might Also Like:

Numbers 4 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

4 And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, and unto Aaron, saying, 2 `Take up the sum of the sons of Kohath from the midst of the sons of Levi, by their families, by the house of their fathers; 3 from a son of thirty years and upward, even till a son of fifty years, every one going in to the host, to do wor...
Read More

Numbers 4 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

4 And the Lord spake to Moses and to Aaron, and said, 2 Take thou the sum, or the number, of the sons of Kohath, from the midst of (the) Levites, by their houses and families, 3 from the thirtieth year and above unto the fiftieth year, of all that enter, that they stand and minister in the tabernacl...
Read More

Numbers 4 - World English Bible (WEB)

4 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2 “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, 3 from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all who enter into the service to do the work in the Tent of Meeting. 4 “Thi...
Read More

Numbers 4 - The Voice (VOICE)

4 The Eternal One spoke to Moses and Aaron. A census can be ominous or encouraging. Sometimes everyone on the list has to die before a new generation can take the land (chapter 1), but sometimes, like in this chapter, it is an occasion to highlight God’s people, the Levites.Eternal One: 2 From among...
Read More

Numbers 4 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Preparing the Sanctuary to Move4 Adonai spoke to Moses and to Aaron saying, 2 “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families and by their ancestral households, 3 everyone from 30 years of age to 50, all who come to serve doing the work in the Tent of Meeting. 4...
Read More

Numbers 4 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Kohathites4 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families and their fathers’ houses, 3 from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who can enter the service, to do the work in the tent of meeting. 4 This is the ser...
Read More

Numbers 4 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Kohathites4 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families and their fathers’ houses, 3 from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who can enter the service, to do the work in the tent of meeting. 4 This is the ser...
Read More

Numbers 4 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Kohathites4 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: 2 Take a census of the Kohathites separate from the other Levites, by their clans and their ancestral houses, 3 from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who qualify to do work relating to the tent of meeting. 4 The service of the ...
Read More

Numbers 4 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Kohathites4 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 2 “Take a census of the Kohathites separate from the other Levites, by their clans and their ancestral houses, 3 from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who qualify to do work relating to the tent of meeting.(A)4 The service of the ...
Read More

Numbers 4 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Duties of the Kohathite Clan4 Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “Record the names of the members of the clans and families of the Kohathite division of the tribe of Levi. 3 List all the men between the ages of thirty and fifty who are eligible to serve in the Tabernacle.[a] 4 “The duties of t...
Read More

Numbers 4 - New Life Version (NLV)

The Work of the Sons of Kohath4 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “Number the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi. Number them by their families, by the fathers’ houses, 3 from thirty years old and older, even to fifty years old. Number all who are able to do the work in the meeting tent....
Read More

Numbers 4 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Duties of the Sons of Kohath4 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: 2 “Take a census of the sons of (A)Kohath from among the children of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ house, 3 (B)from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the wo...
Read More

Numbers 4 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

The Kohathites4 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 2 ‘Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families. 3 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting. 4 ‘This is the work of the Kohathites at the tent of me...
Read More

Numbers 4 - New International Version (NIV)

The Kohathites4 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 2 “Take a census(A) of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families. 3 Count(B) all the men from thirty to fifty years of age(C) who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting. 4 “This is the work(D) of the Kohathites(E) at t...
Read More

Numbers 4 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

The Families of Kohath4 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “Count the Levites who belong to the families of Kohath. Make a list of them family by family. 3 Count all the men 30 to 50 years old. Those are the men who must come and serve at the tent of meeting. 4 “Here is the work the men of Kohath...
Read More

Numbers 4 - New English Translation (NET)

The Service of the Kohathites4 [a] Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron: 2 “Take a census[b] of the Kohathites from among the Levites, by their families and by their clans, 3 from thirty years old and upward to fifty years old, all who enter the company[c] to do the work in the tent of meeting. ...
Read More