2 the leaders of Israel, the heads of the families, presented an offering; they were the leaders of the tribes and were the ones in charge of the counting.
3 They brought their offering before the presence of Yahweh, six covered utility carts and twelve cattle, a utility cart for two of the leaders, and a bull for each; and they presented them before the tabernacle.
4 Yahweh said to Moses, saying,
5 “Take them, and they will be used to do the work of the tent of the assembly; and you will give them to the Levites, each according to his required service.”
6 So Moses took the utility carts and the cattle, and he gave them to the Levites.
7 Two utility carts and four cattle he gave to the descendants of Gershon according to their required service;
8 and four utility carts and eight cattle he gave to the descendants of Merari according to their required service, under the authority of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.