Moses undertakes an accounting of all the Israelite males over twenty. A hierarchy is setup within the twelve tribes of Israel and each tribe is given a specific place of dwelling and an operational function to perform within the societal structure of the people. The interesting bit for me was the fact that the Levites were not to be counted in the census as they were chosen to watch over the tabernacle, dwell around it, and perform the requisite functions needed for its operation...
NUMBERS 1:49-50, 53
49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:That's all fine and good but why were they not counted in the census? Well, I can't say for sure and could not find the clear answer in my limited search; but, I think it was primarily because the Levites were to be counted only by God, as they were God's appointed and not to be counted among the tribes of man. The Levites were given a holy task and required to live and dwell within the midst of the tribes and were thereby, literally, surrounded by the tribes, the legions, the armies of men whose foremost task was to protect the tabernacle. The Levites were part of the tabernacle, the most holy place, and therefore belonged to The Lord and need not be counted.
50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
Also, the census only counted men over twenty (603,550), a considerable military force and another reason why the Levites were not counted - they were to work among holy things and leave warring to the general populous.
~Kipling
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