3. These are the shmot of the Bnei Aharon, the kohanim hameshuchim whose hand he filled [i.e., ordained] to be kohen [Shemot 29; Vayikra 8].
4. And Nadav and Avihu died before Hashem, when they offered eish zarah (unauthorized fire) before Hashem, in the midbar of Sinai, and they had no children; and Eleazar and Itamar ministered in the kohen's office in the sight of Aharon their av [Vayikra 10].
5. And Hashem spoke unto Moshe, saying,
6. Bring the tribe of Levi near [i.e., present them as offerings are presented], and present them before Aharon HaKohen, that they may minister unto him [i.e., help, be of service to him].
7. And they [the Levi'im] shall be shomer mishmeret (watch the watch, keep the guard duty) for him and for the mishmeret kol HaEdah (duty of the whole Congregation) before the Ohel Mo'ed, to do avodat HaMishkan (the work, service of the Mishkan).
8. And they shall be shomer mishmeret over kol klei Ohel Mo'ed (all the vessels, furnishings of the Ohel Mo'ed) for the Bnei Yisroel, doing the avodat HaMishkan (work of the Mishkan).
9. And thou shalt give the Levi'im unto Aharon and to his banim; they are wholly given unto him from among the Bnei Yisroel.
10. And thou shalt appoint Aharon and his banim; they shall be shomer to watch over their kehunah; the zar that encroach shall be put to death.
11. And Hashem spoke unto Moshe, saying,
12. And I, hinei, I have taken the Levi'im from among the Bnei Yisroel instead of all the bechor that openeth the womb among the Bnei Yisroel; therefore the Levi'im shall be Mine;
13. Because all the bechor are Mine; for on the yom that I struck down all the bechor in Eretz Mitzrayim I set apart as kodesh unto Me all the bechor in Yisroel, both man and beast: Mine shall they be: I am Hashem.
14. And Hashem spoke unto Moshe in the midbar of Sinai, saying,
15. Count the Bnei Levi by the bais of their avot, by their mishpekhot; every zachar from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.