Immerse: Beginnings Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 219
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The clans descended from Merari were named after two of his
descendants, Mahli and Mushi.
These were the Levite clans, listed according to their family groups.
The descendants of Gershon were composed of the clans descended
from Libni and Shimei. There were 7,500 males one month old or older
among these Gershonite clans. They were assigned the area to the west
of the Tabernacle for their camp. The leader of the Gershonite clans was
Eliasaph son of Lael. These two clans were responsible to care for the Tabernacle, including the sacred tent with its layers of coverings, the curtain
at its entrance, the curtains of the courtyard that surrounded the Tabernacle and altar, the curtain at the courtyard entrance, the ropes, and all the
equipment related to their use.
The descendants of Kohath were composed of the clans descended from
Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. There were 8,600 males one month
old or older among these Kohathite clans. They were responsible for the
care of the sanctuary, and they were assigned the area south of the Tabernacle for their camp. The leader of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan son
of Uzziel. These four clans were responsible for the care of the Ark, the
table, the lampstand, the altars, the various articles used in the sanctuary,
the inner curtain, and all the equipment related to their use. Eleazar, son
of Aaron the priest, was the chief administrator over all the Levites, with
special responsibility for the oversight of the sanctuary.
The descendants of Merari were composed of the clans descended from
Mahli and Mushi. There were 6,200 males one month old or older among
these Merarite clans. They were assigned the area north of the Tabernacle
for their camp. The leader of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail.
These two clans were responsible for the care of the frames supporting
the Tabernacle, the crossbars, the pillars, the bases, and all the equipment
related to their use. They were also responsible for the posts of the courtyard and all their bases, pegs, and ropes.
The area in front of the Tabernacle, in the east toward the sunrise, was
reserved for the tents of Moses and of Aaron and his sons, who had the
final responsibility for the sanctuary on behalf of the people of Israel.
Anyone other than a priest or Levite who went too near the sanctuary
was to be put to death.
When Moses and Aaron counted the Levite clans at the Lord’s command, the total number was 22,000 males one month old or older.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now count all the firstborn sons in Israel
who are one month old or older, and make a list of their names. The L
evites
must be reserved for me as substitutes for the firstborn sons of Israel; I am
