The families of the sons of Kohath were to encamp on the south side of the tabernacle,
But the Levites shall encamp around the tabernacle of the Testimony, that there may be no wrath upon the congregation of the Israelites; and the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of the Testimony.
The families of the Gershonites were to encamp behind the tabernacle on the west,
On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben by their companies, the leader of the sons of Reuben being Elizur son of Shedeur.
The number of all the males from a month old and upward totaled 8,600, attending to the duties of the sanctuary.
The chief of the fathers' houses of the families of the Kohathites being Elizaphan son of Uzziel.