36. The Merarites were assigned responsibility for the frames of the dwelling, its bars, pillars, bases, and all its equipment—all these items—
37. and the pillars of the courtyard all around, their bases, pegs, and cords.
38. Those camping in front of the dwelling eastward (that is, before the meeting tent on the east side) were Moses, Aaron, and his sons, who performed the duties of the sanctuary as service for the Israelites. Anyone else who approached would be put to death.
39. The total enrollment of the Levites, all the males over one month old whom Moses and Aaron enrolled by orders from the Lord, according to their clans, was 22,000.
40. The Lord said to Moses: Enroll all the oldest males of the Israelites over one month of age and record their names.
41. Take the Levites for me, in place of all the oldest sons of the Israelites, for I am the Lord, and the cattle of the Levites in place of all the oldest cattle of the Israelites.
42. Moses enrolled all the oldest males of the Israelites as the Lord commanded.
43. All the oldest males over one month old, recorded by name according to their enrollment, were 22,273.
44. Then the Lord spoke to Moses: