Numbers 3:25–37

At the tent of meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle^k and tent, its coverings,^l the curtain at the entrance^m to the tent of meeting,ⁿ the curtains of the courtyard^o, the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,^p and the ropes^q—and everything^r related to their use.

To Kohath^s belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites;^t these were the Kohathite^u clans. The number of all the males a month old or more^v was 8,600. The Kohathites were responsible^w for the care of the sanctuary.^x The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side^y of the tabernacle. The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan^z son of Uzziel. They were responsible for the care of the ark,^a the table,^b the lampstand,^c the altars,^d the articles^e of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain,^f and everything related to their use.^g The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar^h son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsibleⁱ for the care of the sanctuary.^j

To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites;^k these were the Merarite clans.^l The number of all the males a month old or more^m who were counted was 6,200. The leader of the families of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.ⁿ The Merarites were appointed^o to take care of the frames of the tabernacle,^p its crossbars,^q posts,^r bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,^s as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard^t with their bases, tent pegs^u and ropes.