46. The total number was 603,550.
47. But the families of the tribe of Levi were not counted along with the others.
48. The Lord had spoken to Moses. He had said,
49. "You must not count the men from the tribe of Levi. Do not include them when you list the other men of Israel.
50. "Instead, put the Levites in charge of the holy tent. That is where the tablets of the covenant are kept. The Levites will be in charge of everything that belongs to the holy tent. They must carry the tent and everything that belongs to it. They must take care of it. They must set up camp around it.
51. "When the holy tent must be moved, the Levites must take it down. And when the tent must be set up, the Levites must do it. Anyone else who goes near it will be put to death.