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.
52. "The people of Israel must set up their tents by companies. All of them must be in their own camps under their own flags.
53. "But the Levites must set up their tents around the holy tent where the tablets of the covenant are kept. Then my anger will not fall on the community of Israel. The Levites will be held accountable for taking care of the tent."