1On the day when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle and had anointed and consecrated it with all its furnishings and had anointed and consecrated the altar with all its utensils,

2the chiefs of Israel, heads of their fathers' houses, who were the chiefs of the tribes, who were over those who were listed, approached

3and brought their offerings before the LORD, six wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon for every two of the chiefs, and for each one an ox. They brought them before the tabernacle.

4Then the LORD said to Moses,

5"Accept these from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service."

6So Moses took the wagons and the oxen and gave them to the Levites.

7Two wagons and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service.

8And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

9But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because they were charged with the service of the holy things that had to be carried on the shoulder.

10And the chiefs offered offerings for the dedication of the altar on the day it was anointed; and the chiefs offered their offering before the altar.

11And the LORD said to Moses, "They shall offer their offerings, one chief each day, for the dedication of the altar."