1. Moses finished setting up the Holy Tent. On that day he dedicated it to God. Moses anointed the Tent and everything in it. He also anointed the altar and all the things used with it.
2. Then the leaders of Israel gave offerings to God. These men were the heads of their families and leaders of their tribes. These were the same men who were in charge of counting the people.
3. These leaders brought gifts and gave them to the Lord in front of the Holy Tent. They brought six covered wagons and twelve oxen for pulling the wagons. Each leader gave an ox and joined with another leader to give a wagon.
4. The Lord said to Moses,
5. “Accept these gifts from the leaders. These gifts can be used in the work of the Meeting Tent. Give them to the Levites to help them do their work.”
6. So Moses accepted the wagons and the oxen and gave them to the Levites.
7. He gave two wagons and four oxen to the men in Gershon’s group. They needed the wagons and the oxen for their work.
8. Then Moses gave four wagons and eight oxen to the men in Merari’s group. They needed the wagons and oxen for their work. Ithamar son of Aaron the priest was responsible for the work of all these men.
9. Moses did not give any oxen or wagons to the men in Kohath’s group, because their job was to carry the holy things on their shoulders.
10. When Moses anointed the altar, the leaders brought offerings for its dedication. They gave their offerings to the Lord at the altar.
11. The Lord told Moses, “Each day one leader must bring his gift for the dedication of the altar.”