31. They were in charge of the ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altars, the utensils used in the holy place, and the screen. They took care of all these things.
32. The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar, son of the priest Aaron. It was Eleazar’s duty to supervise those who were in charge of the holy place.
33. To Merari belonged the families descended from Mahli and Mushi. These were the families descended from Merari.
34. The total number of all the males at least one month old was 6,200.
35. The leader of the Merarite families and households was Zuriel, son of Abihail. They put up their tents on the north side of the tent of meeting.
36. It was the duty of the Merarites to be in charge of the framework of the inner tent, the crossbars, posts, sockets, and all the equipment. They took care of all these things.
37. They also took care of the posts for the surrounding courtyard, the bases, pegs, and ropes.
38. Moses, Aaron, and his sons put up their tents on the east side in front of the tent of meeting. They were in charge of the holy place on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who tried to do the Levites’ duties had to be put to death.
39. The grand total of Levites that Moses and Aaron counted at the Lord’s command, by families, every male who was at least one month old, was 22,000.
40. The Lord said to Moses, “Register every firstborn male of the Israelites who is at least one month old, and make a list of their names.
41. I am the Lord. Take the Levites for me to be substitutes for all firstborn Israelites. Also take the animals of the Levites to be substitutes for all firstborn animals of the Israelites.”
42. So Moses registered all the firstborn Israelites as the Lord commanded him.
43. The total of all the firstborn males at least one month old was 22,273. They were listed by name.
44. The Lord said to Moses,
45. “Take the Levites to be substitutes for all the firstborn Israelites and the animals of the Levites to be substitutes for their animals. The Levites will be mine. I am the Lord.
46. There are 273 more firstborn male Israelites than there are Levites.