1. NOW THESE are the generations of Aaron and Moses when the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.
2. These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
3. These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed, whom Aaron consecrated and ordained to minister in the priest's office.
4. But Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord when they offered strange fire before the Lord in the Wilderness of Sinai; and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the presence and under the supervision of Aaron their father. [Lev. 10:1-4.]
5. And the Lord said to Moses,
6. Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.
7. And they shall carry out his instructions and the duties connected with the whole assembly before the Tent of Meeting, doing the service of the tabernacle.
8. And they shall keep all the instruments and furnishings of the Tent of Meeting and take charge of [attending] the Israelites, to serve in the tabernacle.
9. And you shall give the Levites [as servants and helpers] to Aaron and his sons; they are wholly given to him from among the Israelites.
10. And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall observe and attend to their priest's office; but the excluded [anyone daring to assume priestly duties or privileges who is not of the house of Aaron and called of God] who comes near [the holy things] shall be put to death.
11. And the Lord said to Moses,
12. Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the Israelites; and the Levites shall be Mine,
13. For all the firstborn are Mine. On the day that I slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast; Mine they shall be. I am the Lord.
14. And the Lord said to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai,
15. Number the sons of Levi by their fathers' houses and by families. Every male from a month old and upward you shall number.