Verses 34-37 deal with the registration of the Kohathite clans.

And Moses and Aaron and the leaders of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites: The conjunction And may be rendered “So” (New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) since it introduces the response of Moses and Aaron to the preceding instructions of the LORD. The Hebrew word for leaders is nasiʾ, as in 1.16 (see the comments there). It is better rendered “chiefs” (Revised English Bible) or “chieftains” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The Hebrew word for congregation (ʿedah) is better translated “community” (Good News Translation), as in 1.2 (see the comments there). It refers to the national, legal and cultic community of Israel. The Hebrew verb for numbered (paqad) is better rendered “enrolled” (New Revised Standard Version), “recorded” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “registered” (see the comments on 1.3). The sons of the Kohathites may be translated “the descendants of Kohath” (Bible en français courant) or simply “the Kohathites” (New Revised Standard Version).

By their families and their fathers’ houses: See the comments on 1.2. These two phrases are better rendered “by clans and by families” (Bible en français courant), as in verse 2. Again, Good News Translation has to say “by subclans and families” since it speaks of “the three Levite clans, Kohath, Gershon, and Merari,” which implies that Kohath had only one clan.

From thirty years old up to fifty years old may be rendered “between the ages of thirty and fifty” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version).

Every one that could enter the service renders a similar Hebrew expression translated “all who can enter the service” in verse 3 (see the comments there). This clause is better rendered “all who were subject to service” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “all who were eligible to service” (similarly New Living Translation). It concerns an obligation (or privilege) to serve in the Tabernacle.

For work in the tent of meeting: Work renders the Hebrew word translated “service” in verse 4 (see the comments there). For the tent of meeting, see 1.1.

And their number by families was two thousand seven hundred and fifty: Number renders the same Hebrew verb translated numbered, so it is better rendered “enrollment” (New Revised Standard Version) or “recorded” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Families renders the Hebrew word mishpachah, which is better translated “clans” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh; see 1.2).

This was the number of the families of the Kohathites …: Verse 37 concludes the paragraph concerning the registration of the Kohathite clans. Again, number renders the same Hebrew verb translated numbered, and families translates the Hebrew word mishpachah, so this clause is better rendered “This was the enrollment of the clans of the Kohathites” (New Revised Standard Version).

All who served in the tent of meeting refers to the clans of the Kohathites.

Whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the LORD by Moses: Moses is mentioned before Aaron here, which indicates that, as the leader, he was more prominent. Again, numbered renders the Hebrew verb paqad (see the comments above). According to the commandment of the LORD by Moses is literally “upon the mouth of the LORD by the hand of Moses” (see 3.16), which may be translated “just as the LORD had commanded through Moses” (New Living Translation).

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .