35. They were assigned the area north of the Tabernacle for their camp. The leader of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail.
36. 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.
37. They were also responsible for the posts of the courtyard and all their bases, pegs, and ropes.
38. 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.
39. 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.
40. 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.
41. The Levites must be reserved for me as substitutes for the firstborn sons of Israel; I am the lord. And the Levites’ livestock must be reserved for me as substitutes for the firstborn livestock of the whole nation of Israel.”
42. So Moses counted the firstborn sons of the people of Israel, just as the lord had commanded.
43. The number of firstborn sons who were one month old or older was 22,273.
44. Then the lord said to Moses,
45. “Take the Levites as substitutes for the firstborn sons of the people of Israel. And take the livestock of the Levites as substitutes for the firstborn livestock of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me; I am the lord.