33. To Merari belonged the clan of Mahlites and the clan of the Mushites: these are the clans of Merari.
34. The ones counted according to the number of every male from one month and above were six thousand two hundred.
35. The leader of the family according to the clans of Merari is Zuriel son of Abihail; they will encamp of the side of the tabernacle to the north.
36. The responsibility of the sons of Merari was the supervision of the frames of the tabernacle, its bars, pillars, bases, and all its vessels and all its service,
37. and the pillars around the courtyard, and their bases, pegs, and cords.
38. Those encamped before the tabernacle to the east—before the tent of assembly to the east—were Moses and Aaron and his sons; they will keep the responsibility of the sanctuary for the Israelites; and the stranger who approaches will be put to death.
39. All those counted from the Levites whom Moses and Aaron mustered according to the word of Yahweh, according to their clans, every male from one month and above were twenty-two thousand.
40. And Yahweh said to Moses, “Muster every firstborn male from the Israelites from one month and above and count their names.
41. And you will receive the Levites for me—I am Yahweh—in the place of all the firstborn among the Israelites, and the animals of the Levites in the place of all the firstborn among the animals among the Israelites.”
42. So Moses mustered all the firstborn among the Israelites just as Yahweh commanded him.
43. And all the firstborn males among the number of names from one month and above, the ones counted, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.