The Kohathites / The Gershonites and Merarites / The Second Census of the Levites
Today we continue the Lord's instructions regarding the Levites.
The Kohathites: Numbers 4.1-20
The Lord commands Moses to take a census of the Kohathites separately from the other Levites - those ages 30 to 50, who qualify to do work relating to the tent of meeting. They have custody over the most holy things of the tent of meeting.
Aaron and his sons are to prepare the tabernacle for carrying by the Kohathites by covering the essential pieces with cloth. If the Kohathites directly touch the holy things, they will die, presumably just as Nadab and Abihu (and for a similar reason as well).
Aaron's son Eleazar is in charge of the oil for the light, the incense, the regular grain offering (which involves oil), the anointing oil, oversight of the tabernacle, and the utensils.
The Lord commands the the Kohathites must not be destroyed, so that they may serve Aaron and his sons. However, they may not look on the holy things, or they will die.
The Gershonites and Merarites: Numbers 4.21-33
A similar census shall be taken of the Gershonites - those ages 30 to 50, who qualify to do work relating to the tent of meeting. The Gershonites are assigned their things to care for in the tabernacle.
A census shall also be taken of the Merarites - those ages 30 to 50, who qualify to do work relating to the tent of meeting. They too are assigned their things to care for in the tabernacle.
The Gershonites and Merarites will be under the oversight of Aaron's son Ithamar.
The Second Census of the Levites: Numbers 34.1-49
The census of the Kahathites comes to 2,750.
The census of the Gershonites comes to 2,630.
The census of the Merarites comes to 3,200.
The total number of men among the Levites, age 30-50 is 8,580.
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