34. The number that was counted was 6,200 males one month old or older.
35. The leader of the Merari families was Zuriel son of Abihail, and they were to camp north of the Holy Tent.
36. The Merarites were responsible for the frames of the Holy Tent, the braces, the posts, the bases, and all the work connected with these items.
37. They were also responsible for the posts in the courtyard around the Holy Tent and their bases, tent pegs, and ropes.
38. Moses, Aaron, and his sons camped east of the Holy Tent, toward the sunrise, in front of the Meeting Tent. They were responsible for the Holy Place for the Israelites. Anyone else who came near the Holy Place was to be put to death.
39. Moses and Aaron counted the Levite men by their families, as the Lord commanded, and there were 22,000 males one month old or older.
40. The Lord said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn sons in Israel one month old or older, and list their names.
41. Take the Levites for me instead of the firstborn sons of Israel; take the animals of the Levites instead of the firstborn animals from the rest of Israel. I am the Lord.”
42. So Moses did what the Lord commanded and counted all the firstborn sons of the Israelites.
43. When he listed all the firstborn sons one month old or older, there were 22,273 names.
44. The Lord also said to Moses,
45. “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn sons of the Israelites, and take the animals of the Levites instead of the animals of the other people. The Levites are mine. I am the Lord.