²⁷ To Kohath^(A) belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites;^(B) these were the Kohathite^(C) clans. ²⁸ The number of all the males a month old or more^(D) was 8,600.^[a] The Kohathites were responsible^(E) for the care of the sanctuary.^{(F) 29} The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side^(G) of the tabernacle. ³⁰ The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan^(H) son of Uzziel. ³¹ They were responsible for the care of the ark,^(I) the table,^(J) the lampstand,^(K) the altars,^(L) the articles^(M) of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain,^(N) and everything related to their use.^(O)

² “Take a census^(A) of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families. ³ Count^(B) all the men from thirty to fifty years of age^(C) who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.

⁴ “This is the work^(D) of the Kohathites^(E) at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things.^(F)

¹⁵ “After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move,^(A) only then are the Kohathites^(B) to come and do the carrying.^(C) But they must not touch the holy things^(D) or they will die.^(E) The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting.

¹⁸ “See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not destroyed from among the Levites. ¹⁹ So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things,^(A) do this for them: Aaron and his sons^(B) are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry.^{(C) 20} But the Kohathites must not go in to look^(D) at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”