The Service of the Levites: Chapter 4 builds on chapter 3 in detailing the duties of the three Levitical groups (Gershon, Kohath, and Merari), who care for the tabernacle under the priests’ supervision.

4:1–3  The chapter begins with a divine instruction to Moses and Aaron: Take a census of the Kohathite group. The census is of men between thirty and fifty years of age, the time of service in caring for the tabernacle. The purpose of all this numbering is again to organize the people, especially for the upcoming march, and an essential part of the organization of this community is the work of the Tent of Meeting.

4:4–6  In a natural progression, the work of the Kohathites is then detailed. They are responsible for the most holy objects in the tabernacle. It is important that Levites not come…