Bible: census of Levites during the Exodus, by clan

According to the book of Numbers in the Old Testament of the Bible, Levite men were exempt from serving in the Israelites' army during the Exodus, and were instead responsible for the transport and care of the tabernacle. In total, there were 22,000 Levite males aged one month or older, and 8,580 of these men were aged 30-50 years and served in the tabernacle.

Moses and his brother Aaron, the leaders of the Israelites, were from the Levite tribe and a descendent of Kohath. The Kohath was the largest of the Levite clans, although the Merari had the largest number of men serving in the tabernacle. According to Numbers, the Kohathites were responsible for carrying the holiest items in the tabernacle; the Gershonites were responsible for carrying the curtains of the tent; and the Merarites were responsible for carrying the tent's frame.