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The Levites were not counted with the other tribes for war because they were appointed over the tabernacle and its furnishings. Their job was to guard it, carry it, and camp around it so that wrath would not fall on the congregation. See Numbers 1:47–53.
47But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.
48For Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
49Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, neither shall you take the sum of them among the children of Israel;
50but appoint you the Levites over the tent of the testimony, and over all the furniture of it, and over all that belongs to it: they shall bear the tent, and all the furniture of it; and they shall minister to it, and shall encamp round about the tent.
51When the tent sets forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tent is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger who comes near shall be put to death.
52The children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, according to their hosts.
53But the Levites shall encamp round about the tent of the testimony, that there be no wrath on the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tent of the testimony.