When it is time to break camp, the clan of Kohath shall come to carry the sacred objects only after Aaron and his sons have finished covering them and all their equipment. The Kohath clan must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die. These are the responsibilities of the Kohath clan whenever the Tent is moved.

Then he told the priests to take the Covenant Box and go with it ahead of the people. They did as he said.

Joshua called the priests and told them, "Take the Covenant Box, and seven of you go in front of it, carrying trumpets."

When all the leaders had gathered, the priests lifted the Covenant Box

Then he said, "Only Levites should carry the Covenant Box, because they are the ones the LORD chose to carry it and to serve him forever."

He said to the Levites, "You are the leaders of the Levite clans. Purify yourselves and your fellow Levites, so that you can bring the Covenant Box of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it.

Then the priests and the Levites purified themselves in order to move the Covenant Box of the LORD God of Israel.