Numbers 4:21–32

The Gershonites

²¹The Lord said to Moses, ²²“Take a census also of the Gershonites by their families and clans. ²³Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age^b who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.

²⁴“This is the service of the Gershonite clans in their carrying and their other work: ²⁵They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle,^c that is, the tent of meeting,^d its covering^e and its outer covering of durable leather, the curtains for the entrance to the tent of meeting, ²⁶the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,^f the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard,^g the ropes and all the equipment^h used in the service of the tent. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things. ²⁷All their service, whether carrying or doing other work, is to be done under the direction of Aaron and his sons.ⁱ You shall assign to them as their responsibility^j all they are to carry. ²⁸This is the service of the Gershonite clans^k at the tent of meeting. Their duties are to be under the direction of Ithamar^l son of Aaron, the priest.

The Merarites

²⁹“Count^m the Merarites by their clans and families.^{n 30}Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting. ³¹As part of all their service at the tent, they are to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases,^{o 32}as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes,^p all their equipment and everything related to their use. Assign to each man the specific things he is to carry.