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Gifts Given on the Altar by the Leaders

Moses finished putting up the meeting tent. On that day he put oil on it and made it holy, with the things inside, the altar and all its objects. He put oil on them and made them holy. Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, brought their gifts. They were the leaders of the families, the heads of those who were numbered. As gifts to the Lord they brought six covered wagons and twelve bulls, a wagon for every two of the leaders and a bull for each one. Then they gave them in front of the meeting tent. The Lord said to Moses, “Receive these things from them, that they may be used in the work of the meeting tent. Give them to the Levites, to each man for the work he does.” So Moses took the wagons and the bulls, and gave them to the Levites. He gave two wagons and four bulls to the sons of Gershon, for the work they were doing. He gave four wagons and eight bulls to the sons of Merari, for the work they were doing under the leading of Ithamar the son of Aaron the religious leader. But Moses did not give any to the sons of Kohath. They had the duty of taking care of the holy objects which had to be carried on their shoulders. 10 The leaders gave gifts to set apart the altar on the day the oil was poured on it. They gave their gifts in front of the altar. 11 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Let one leader each day give the gifts to set apart the altar.”

12 The one who gave his gift on the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the family of Judah. 13 His gift was one silver dish that weighed as much as 130 pieces of silver, and one silver dish that weighed as much as seventy pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain gift. 14 And he gave one gold dish weighing as much as ten pieces of silver, full of special perfume. 15 He gave one bull, one ram, and one male lamb one year old, for a burnt gift in worship. 16 He gave one male goat for a sin gift. 17 For the peace gifts he gave two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the gift given by Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

18 On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, leader of Issachar, gave a gift in worship. 19 He gave for his gift one silver dish that weighed as much as 130 pieces of silver, and one silver dish weighing as much as seventy pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain gift. 20 And he gave one gold dish weighing as much as ten pieces of silver, full of special perfume. 21 He gave one bull, one ram, and one male lamb one year old, for a burnt gift. 22 He gave one male goat for a sin gift. 23 For the peace gifts he gave two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the gift of Nethanel the son of Zuar.

24 On the third day it was Eliab the son of Helon, leader of the sons of Zebulun. 25 His gift was one silver dish that weighed as much as 130 pieces of silver, and one silver dish weighing as much as seventy pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain gift. 26 And he gave one gold dish weighing as much as ten pieces of silver, full of special perfume. 27 He gave one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb one year old, for a burnt gift. 28 He gave one male goat for a sin gift. 29 For the peace gifts he gave two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the gift of Eliab the son of Helon.

30 On the fourth day it was Elizur the son of Shedeur, leader of the sons of Reuben. 31 His gift was one silver dish that weighed as much as 130 pieces of silver, and one silver dish weighing as much as seventy pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain gift. 32 And he gave one gold dish weighing as much as ten pieces of silver, full of special perfume. 33 He gave one bull, one ram, and one male lamb one year old, for a burnt gift. 34 He gave one male goat for a sin gift. 35 For the peace gifts he gave two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the gift of Elizur the son of Shedeur.

36 On the fifth day it was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the sons of Simeon. 37 His gift was one silver dish that weighed as much as 130 pieces of silver, and one silver dish weighing as much as seventy pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain gift. 38 And he gave one gold dish weighing as much as ten pieces of silver, full of special perfume. 39 He gave one bull, one ram, and one male lamb one year old, for a burnt gift. 40 He gave one male goat for a sin gift. 41 For the peace gifts he gave two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the gift of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

42 On the sixth day it was Eliasaph the son of Deuel, the leader of the sons of Gad. 43 His gift was one silver dish that weighed as much as 130 pieces of silver, and one silver dish weighing as much as seventy pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain gift. 44 And he gave one gold dish weighing as much as ten pieces of silver, full of special perfume. 45 He gave one bull, one ram, and one male lamb one year old, for a burnt gift. 46 He gave one male goat for a sin gift. 47 For the peace gifts he gave two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the gift of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

48 On the seventh day it was Elishama the son of Ammihud, the leader of the sons of Ephraim. 49 His gift was one silver dish that weighed as much as 130 pieces of silver, and one silver dish weighing as much as seventy pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain gift. 50 And he gave one gold dish weighing as much as ten pieces of silver, full of special perfume. 51 He gave one bull, one ram, and one male lamb one year old, for a burnt gift. 52 He gave one male goat for a sin gift. 53 For the peace gifts he gave two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the gift of Elishama the son of Ammihud.

54 On the eighth day it was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, the leader of the sons of Manasseh. 55 His gift was one silver dish that weighed as much as 130 pieces of silver, and one silver dish weighing as much as seventy pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain gift. 56 And he gave one gold dish weighing as much as ten pieces of silver, full of special perfume. 57 He gave one bull, one ram, and one male lamb one year old, for a burnt gift. 58 He gave one male goat for a sin gift. 59 For the peace gifts he gave two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the gift of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

60 On the ninth day it was Abidan the son of Gideoni, the leader of the sons of Benjamin. 61 His gift was one silver dish that weighed as much as 130 pieces of silver, and one silver dish weighing as much as seventy pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain gift. 62 And he gave one gold dish weighing as much as ten pieces of silver, full of special perfume. 63 He gave one bull, one ram, and one male lamb one year old, for a burnt gift. 64 He gave one male goat for a sin gift. 65 For the peace gifts he gave two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the gift of Abidan the son of Gideoni.

66 On the tenth day it was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, the leader of the sons of Dan. 67 His gift was one silver dish that weighed as much as 130 pieces of silver, and one silver dish weighing as much as seventy pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain gift. 68 And he gave one gold dish weighing as much as ten pieces of silver, full of special perfume. 69 He gave one bull, one ram, and one male lamb one year old, for a burnt gift. 70 He gave one male goat for a sin gift. 71 For the peace gifts he gave two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the gift of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

72 On the eleventh day it was Pagiel the son of Ochran, the leader of the sons of Asher. 73 His gift was one silver dish that weighed as much as 130 pieces of silver, and one silver dish weighing as much as seventy pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain gift. 74 And he gave one gold dish weighing as much as ten pieces of silver, full of special perfume. 75 He gave one bull, one ram, and one male lamb one year old, for a burnt gift. 76 He gave one male goat for a sin gift. 77 For the peace gifts he gave two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the gift of Pagiel the son of Ochran.

78 On the twelfth day it was Ahira the son of Enan, the leader of the sons of Naphtali. 79 His gift was one silver dish that weighed as much as 130 pieces of silver, and one silver dish weighing as much as seventy pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain gift. 80 And he gave one gold dish weighing as much as ten pieces of silver, full of special perfume. 81 He gave one bull, one ram, and one male lamb one year old, for a burnt gift. 82 He gave one male goat for a sin gift. 83 For the peace gifts he gave two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the gift of Ahira the son of Enan. 84 This was the gift to set apart the altar on the day the oil was poured on it. The leaders of Israel gave twelve silver dishes, twelve deep dishes made of silver, and twelve gold dishes. 85 Each silver dish weighed as much as 130 pieces of silver. Each deep dish weighed as much as seventy pieces of silver. All the silver of the dishes weighed as much as 2,400 pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. 86 The twelve gold dishes full of special perfume each weighed as much as ten pieces of silver. They were weighed by the weight of silver agreed upon for the meeting tent. All the gold of the dishes weighed as much as 120 pieces of silver. 87 All the animals given for the burnt gift were twelve bulls, twelve rams, and twelve male lambs one year old with their grain gifts. Twelve male goats were given for a sin gift. 88 All the animals given for the peace gifts were twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats, and sixty male lambs one year old. This was the gift to set apart the altar after the oil was poured on it.

89 Moses went into the meeting tent to speak with the Lord. And he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy-seat that was on the special box with the Law, between the two cherubim. So the Lord spoke to him.

Setting Up the Lamps

The Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘When you put the seven lamps on the lamp-stand, they should give light in front of the lamp-stand.’” And Aaron did so. He put the lamps so they would give light in front of the lamp-stand, as the Lord had told Moses. Now this is the way the lamp-stand was made. It was made of beaten gold from the base to its flowers. He made the lamp-stand the way the Lord had shown Moses.

The Levites Are Set Apart

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take the Levites from among the people of Israel, and make them clean. To make them clean, put holy water on them that takes away sin. Let them cut all the hair from their body, and wash their clothes, and they shall be clean. Then let them take a young bull and its grain gift of fine flour mixed with oil. Take another young bull for a sin gift. Bring the Levites in front of the meeting tent and gather together all the people of Israel also. 10 Bring the Levites before the Lord and the people of Israel will lay their hands on the Levites. 11 Aaron will give the Levites to the Lord as a wave gift from the people of Israel so they will be able to do the work of the Lord. 12 The Levites will lay their hands on the heads of the bulls. They will give one for a sin gift and the other for a burnt gift to the Lord, to pay for the sins of the Levites. 13 Then have the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons, to give them as a wave gift to the Lord.

14 “So you will divide the Levites from the people of Israel. And the Levites will be Mine. 15 After that the Levites may go in to work in the meeting tent. But you must make them clean and give them as a wave gift. 16 For they are all given to Me from among the people of Israel. I have taken them for Myself instead of every first child to be born, the first-born of all the people of Israel. 17 For every first-born among the people of Israel is Mine, both of man and animal. I set them apart for Myself on the day that I killed all the first-born in the land of Egypt. 18 But I have taken the Levites instead of every first-born among the people of Israel. 19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the people of Israel. They will do the work of the people of Israel at the meeting tent. By this they take away the sins of the people of Israel. So no trouble will come upon the people of Israel if they come near the meeting tent.”

20 Moses and Aaron and all the people of Israel did this to the Levites. The people of Israel did to them all the things the Lord had told Moses about the Levites. 21 The Levites made themselves pure, putting away their sin. And they washed their clothes. Aaron gave them as a wave gift before the Lord. He did what had to be done to pay for their sin so they would be clean. 22 After that the Levites went in to do their work in the meeting tent in front of Aaron and his sons. So they did to the Levites just what the Lord had told Moses to do.

23 The Lord said to Moses, 24 “This is the rule for the Levites. Those who are twenty-five years old and older will go in to do the work of the meeting tent. 25 But when they are fifty years old they will stop these duties and not work any more. 26 They may help their brothers in the meeting tent to do what needs to be done but they themselves must not do the work. These are the rules for the Levites when giving them their duties.”

Offerings at the Dedication of the Tabernacle

When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle,(A) he anointed(B) and consecrated it and all its furnishings.(C) He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils.(D) Then the leaders of Israel,(E) the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted,(F) made offerings. They brought as their gifts before the Lord six covered carts(G) and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle.

The Lord said to Moses, “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the tent of meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man’s work requires.”

So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites,(H) as their work required, and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites,(I) as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites,(J) because they were to carry on their shoulders(K) the holy things, for which they were responsible.

10 When the altar was anointed,(L) the leaders brought their offerings for its dedication(M) and presented them before the altar. 11 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Each day one leader is to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar.”

12 The one who brought his offering on the first day was Nahshon(N) son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah.

13 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels[a] and one silver sprinkling bowl(O) weighing seventy shekels,[b](P) both according to the sanctuary shekel,(Q) each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;(R) 14 one gold dish(S) weighing ten shekels,[c](T) filled with incense;(U) 15 one young bull,(V) one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;(W) 16 one male goat for a sin offering[d];(X) 17 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering.(Y) This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab.(Z)

18 On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar,(AA) the leader of Issachar, brought his offering.

19 The offering he brought was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 20 one gold dish(AB) weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 21 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 22 one male goat for a sin offering; 23 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar.

24 On the third day, Eliab son of Helon,(AC) the leader of the people of Zebulun, brought his offering.

25 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 26 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 27 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 28 one male goat for a sin offering; 29 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon.

30 On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur,(AD) the leader of the people of Reuben, brought his offering.

31 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 32 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 33 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 34 one male goat for a sin offering; 35 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur.

36 On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai,(AE) the leader of the people of Simeon, brought his offering.

37 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 38 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 39 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 40 one male goat for a sin offering; 41 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.

42 On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel,(AF) the leader of the people of Gad, brought his offering.

43 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 44 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 45 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 46 one male goat for a sin offering; 47 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel.

48 On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud,(AG) the leader of the people of Ephraim, brought his offering.

49 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 50 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 51 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 52 one male goat for a sin offering; 53 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud.(AH)

54 On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur,(AI) the leader of the people of Manasseh, brought his offering.

55 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 56 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 57 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 58 one male goat for a sin offering; 59 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.

60 On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni,(AJ) the leader of the people of Benjamin, brought his offering.

61 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 62 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 63 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 64 one male goat for a sin offering; 65 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni.

66 On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai,(AK) the leader of the people of Dan, brought his offering.

67 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 68 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 69 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 70 one male goat for a sin offering; 71 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.

72 On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Okran,(AL) the leader of the people of Asher, brought his offering.

73 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 74 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 75 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 76 one male goat for a sin offering; 77 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Pagiel son of Okran.

78 On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan,(AM) the leader of the people of Naphtali, brought his offering.

79 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 80 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 81 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 82 one male goat for a sin offering; 83 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahira son of Enan.

84 These were the offerings of the Israelite leaders for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed:(AN) twelve silver plates, twelve silver sprinkling bowls(AO) and twelve gold dishes.(AP) 85 Each silver plate weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each sprinkling bowl seventy shekels. Altogether, the silver dishes weighed two thousand four hundred shekels,[e] according to the sanctuary shekel.(AQ) 86 The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ten shekels each, according to the sanctuary shekel.(AR) Altogether, the gold dishes weighed a hundred and twenty shekels.[f] 87 The total number of animals for the burnt offering(AS) came to twelve young bulls, twelve rams and twelve male lambs a year old, together with their grain offering.(AT) Twelve male goats were used for the sin offering.(AU) 88 The total number of animals for the sacrifice of the fellowship offering(AV) came to twenty-four oxen, sixty rams, sixty male goats and sixty male lambs(AW) a year old. These were the offerings for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed.(AX)

89 When Moses entered the tent of meeting(AY) to speak with the Lord,(AZ) he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover(BA) on the ark of the covenant law.(BB) In this way the Lord spoke to him.

Setting Up the Lamps

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, see that all seven light up the area in front of the lampstand.(BC)’”

Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the Lord commanded Moses. This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold(BD)—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern(BE) the Lord had shown Moses.

The Setting Apart of the Levites

The Lord said to Moses: “Take the Levites from among all the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean.(BF) To purify them, do this: Sprinkle the water of cleansing(BG) on them; then have them shave their whole bodies(BH) and wash their clothes.(BI) And so they will purify themselves.(BJ) Have them take a young bull with its grain offering of the finest flour mixed with olive oil;(BK) then you are to take a second young bull for a sin offering.[g](BL) Bring the Levites to the front of the tent of meeting(BM) and assemble the whole Israelite community.(BN) 10 You are to bring the Levites before the Lord, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on them.(BO) 11 Aaron is to present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering(BP) from the Israelites, so that they may be ready to do the work of the Lord.

12 “Then the Levites are to lay their hands on the heads of the bulls,(BQ) using one for a sin offering(BR) to the Lord and the other for a burnt offering,(BS) to make atonement(BT) for the Levites. 13 Have the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons and then present them as a wave offering(BU) to the Lord. 14 In this way you are to set the Levites apart from the other Israelites, and the Levites will be mine.(BV)

15 “After you have purified the Levites and presented them as a wave offering,(BW) they are to come to do their work at the tent of meeting.(BX) 16 They are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to me. I have taken them as my own in place of the firstborn,(BY) the first male offspring(BZ) from every Israelite woman. 17 Every firstborn male in Israel, whether human or animal,(CA) is mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set them apart for myself.(CB) 18 And I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn sons in Israel.(CC) 19 From among all the Israelites, I have given the Levites as gifts to Aaron and his sons(CD) to do the work at the tent of meeting on behalf of the Israelites(CE) and to make atonement for them(CF) so that no plague will strike the Israelites when they go near the sanctuary.”

20 Moses, Aaron and the whole Israelite community did with the Levites just as the Lord commanded Moses. 21 The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes.(CG) Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the Lord and made atonement(CH) for them to purify them.(CI) 22 After that, the Levites came to do their work(CJ) at the tent of meeting under the supervision of Aaron and his sons. They did with the Levites just as the Lord commanded Moses.

23 The Lord said to Moses, 24 “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more(CK) shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting,(CL) 25 but at the age of fifty,(CM) they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. 26 They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work.(CN) This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.”

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 7:13 That is, about 3 1/4 pounds or about 1.5 kilograms; also elsewhere in this chapter
  2. Numbers 7:13 That is, about 1 3/4 pounds or about 800 grams; also elsewhere in this chapter
  3. Numbers 7:14 That is, about 4 ounces or about 115 grams; also elsewhere in this chapter
  4. Numbers 7:16 Or purification offering; also elsewhere in this chapter
  5. Numbers 7:85 That is, about 60 pounds or about 28 kilograms
  6. Numbers 7:86 That is, about 3 pounds or about 1.4 kilograms
  7. Numbers 8:8 Or purification offering; also in verse 12