The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
"Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites, by their clans and families. Count every man from thirty to fifty years of age—those able to serve in the Tent of Meeting. Their duty is the care of the most holy things."
When the camp was to move, Aaron and his sons were to go in and take down the shielding curtain, covering the Ark of the Testimony with it. Over it they were to place a covering of sea cow hides, then spread a solid blue cloth over that, and put the poles in place.
The table of the Presence was to be covered with a blue cloth, with its plates, dishes, bowls, and jars for drink offerings placed on it, along with the bread of the Presence that must always remain. Over these they were to spread a scarlet cloth, cover it with sea cow hides, and set its poles in place.
The lampstand for light, with its lamps, wick trimmers, trays, jars, and all its accessories, was to be covered with a blue cloth, wrapped in sea cow hides, and placed on a carrying frame. The gold altar was to be covered in a blue cloth and sea cow hides, with its poles set in place. All the utensils used in the sanctuary were to be wrapped in blue cloth, covered in sea cow hides, and carried on frames.
The bronze altar was to be cleansed of ashes, covered with a purple cloth, and over it the utensils—firepans, forks, shovels, bowls—were to be placed. These too were covered with sea cow hides, and the poles set in place.
Only after Aaron and his sons had finished covering the holy things were the Kohathites to come and carry them. But they must never touch the holy objects, or they would die. Their charge was to carry the sacred things of the Tent of Meeting.
Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, was given charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the daily grain offering, and the anointing oil. He was responsible for the entire Tabernacle and everything in it.
Then the LORD said:
"See that the clans of the Kohathites are not cut off from among the Levites. Assign to each man his duty and what he is to carry, so that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy things. But they must not look upon the sacred objects, even for a moment, or they will die."
The LORD also commanded Moses:
"Take a census of the Gershonites, by their clans and families, all men thirty to fifty years of age. Their duty is to carry the curtains of the Tabernacle, its coverings, the outer covering of sea cow hides, the entrance curtain, the curtains of the courtyard and its entrance, the ropes, and all the equipment used in its service. All their work shall be under the direction of Aaron and his sons. Ithamar, son of Aaron, shall oversee them."
And the LORD said:
"Count also the Merarites, by their clans and families, all men thirty to fifty years of age. Their duty is to carry the frames of the Tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, bases, and all the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes, and equipment. Assign to each man exactly what he is to carry. Their service shall be under the direction of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest."
So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel counted the Kohathites by their clans—2,750 men ready for service. The Gershonites numbered 2,630, and the Merarites 3,200. Altogether, those Levites between thirty and fifty years old, assigned to carry out the work of the Tent of Meeting, numbered 8,580.
At the LORD's command through Moses, each man was assigned his work and his burden. Thus they were counted, as the LORD commanded.