Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Numbers » Chapter 1 » Verse 1-54

Numbers 1:1-54 King James Version (KJV)

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

2 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls;

3 From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

4 And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.

5 And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.

6 Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

7 Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

8 Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar.

9 Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon.

10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

11 Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.

12 Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

13 Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran.

14 Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

15 Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan.

16 These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.

17 And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names:

18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.

19 As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.

20 And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

21 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.

22 Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

23 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.

24 Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

25 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.

26 Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

27 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.

28 Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

29 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.

30 Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

31 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.

32 Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

33 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred.

34 Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

35 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

36 Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

37 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.

38 Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

39 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.

40 Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

41 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.

42 Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

43 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

44 These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers.

45 So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel;

46 Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

48 For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying,

49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:

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.

51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

52 And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts.

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.

54 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.


Numbers 1:1-54 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And the LORD H3068 spake H1696 unto Moses H4872 in the wilderness H4057 of Sinai, H5514 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 on the first H259 day of the second H8145 month, H2320 in the second H8145 year H8141 after they were come out H3318 of the land H776 of Egypt, H4714 saying, H559

2 Take H5375 ye the sum H7218 of all the congregation H5712 of the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 with the number H4557 of their names, H8034 every male H2145 by their polls; H1538

3 From twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that are able to go forth H3318 to war H6635 in Israel: H3478 thou and Aaron H175 shall number H6485 them by their armies. H6635

4 And with you there shall be a man H376 of every H376 tribe; H4294 every one H376 head H7218 of the house H1004 of his fathers. H1

5 And these are the names H8034 of the men H582 that shall stand H5975 with you: of the tribe of Reuben; H7205 Elizur H468 the son H1121 of Shedeur. H7707

6 Of Simeon; H8095 Shelumiel H8017 the son H1121 of Zurishaddai. H6701

7 Of Judah; H3063 Nahshon H5177 the son H1121 of Amminadab. H5992

8 Of Issachar; H3485 Nethaneel H5417 the son H1121 of Zuar. H6686

9 Of Zebulun; H2074 Eliab H446 the son H1121 of Helon. H2497

10 Of the children H1121 of Joseph: H3130 of Ephraim; H669 Elishama H476 the son H1121 of Ammihud: H5989 of Manasseh; H4519 Gamaliel H1583 the son H1121 of Pedahzur. H6301

11 Of Benjamin; H1144 Abidan H27 the son H1121 of Gideoni. H1441

12 Of Dan; H1835 Ahiezer H295 the son H1121 of Ammishaddai. H5996

13 Of Asher; H836 Pagiel H6295 the son H1121 of Ocran. H5918

14 Of Gad; H1410 Eliasaph H460 the son H1121 of Deuel. H1845

15 Of Naphtali; H5321 Ahira H299 the son H1121 of Enan. H5881

16 These were the renowned H7148 of the congregation, H5712 princes H5387 of the tribes H4294 of their fathers, H1 heads H7218 of thousands H505 in H1992 Israel. H3478

17 And Moses H4872 and Aaron H175 took H3947 these men H582 which are expressed H5344 by their names: H8034

18 And they assembled H6950 all the congregation H5712 together H6950 on the first H259 day of the second H8145 month, H2320 and they declared their pedigrees H3205 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 according to the number H4557 of the names, H8034 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 by their polls. H1538

19 As the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses, H4872 so he numbered H6485 them in the wilderness H4057 of Sinai. H5514

20 And the children H1121 of Reuben, H7205 Israel's H3478 eldest son, H1060 by their generations, H8435 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 according to the number H4557 of the names, H8034 by their polls, H1538 every male H2145 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that were able to go forth H3318 to war; H6635

21 Those that were numbered H6485 of them, even of the tribe H4294 of Reuben, H7205 were forty H705 and six H8337 thousand H505 and five H2568 hundred. H3967

22 Of the children H1121 of Simeon, H8095 by their generations, H8435 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 those that were numbered H6485 of them, according to the number H4557 of the names, H8034 by their polls, H1538 every male H2145 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that were able to go forth H3318 to war; H6635

23 Those that were numbered H6485 of them, even of the tribe H4294 of Simeon, H8095 were fifty H2572 and nine H8672 thousand H505 and three H7969 hundred. H3967

24 Of the children H1121 of Gad, H1410 by their generations, H8435 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 according to the number H4557 of the names, H8034 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that were able to go forth H3318 to war; H6635

25 Those that were numbered H6485 of them, even of the tribe H4294 of Gad, H1410 were forty H705 and five H2568 thousand H505 six H8337 hundred H3967 and fifty. H2572

26 Of the children H1121 of Judah, H3063 by their generations, H8435 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 according to the number H4557 of the names, H8034 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that were able to go forth H3318 to war; H6635

27 Those that were numbered H6485 of them, even of the tribe H4294 of Judah, H3063 were threescore and fourteen H7657 H702 thousand H505 and six H8337 hundred. H3967

28 Of the children H1121 of Issachar, H3485 by their generations, H8435 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 according to the number H4557 of the names, H8034 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that were able to go forth H3318 to war; H6635

29 Those that were numbered H6485 of them, even of the tribe H4294 of Issachar, H3485 were fifty H2572 and four H702 thousand H505 and four H702 hundred. H3967

30 Of the children H1121 of Zebulun, H2074 by their generations, H8435 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 according to the number H4557 of the names, H8034 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that were able to go forth H3318 to war; H6635

31 Those that were numbered H6485 of them, even of the tribe H4294 of Zebulun, H2074 were fifty H2572 and seven H7651 thousand H505 and four H702 hundred. H3967

32 Of the children H1121 of Joseph, H3130 namely, of the children H1121 of Ephraim, H669 by their generations, H8435 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 according to the number H4557 of the names, H8034 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that were able to go forth H3318 to war; H6635

33 Those that were numbered H6485 of them, even of the tribe H4294 of Ephraim, H669 were forty H705 thousand H505 and five H2568 hundred. H3967

34 Of the children H1121 of Manasseh, H4519 by their generations, H8435 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 according to the number H4557 of the names, H8034 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that were able to go forth H3318 to war; H6635

35 Those that were numbered H6485 of them, even of the tribe H4294 of Manasseh, H4519 were thirty H7970 and two H8147 thousand H505 and two hundred. H3967

36 Of the children H1121 of Benjamin, H1144 by their generations, H8435 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 according to the number H4557 of the names, H8034 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that were able to go forth H3318 to war; H6635

37 Those that were numbered H6485 of them, even of the tribe H4294 of Benjamin, H1144 were thirty H7970 and five H2568 thousand H505 and four H702 hundred. H3967

38 Of the children H1121 of Dan, H1835 by their generations, H8435 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 according to the number H4557 of the names, H8034 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that were able to go forth H3318 to war; H6635

39 Those that were numbered H6485 of them, even of the tribe H4294 of Dan, H1835 were threescore H8346 and two H8147 thousand H505 and seven H7651 hundred. H3967

40 Of the children H1121 of Asher, H836 by their generations, H8435 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 according to the number H4557 of the names, H8034 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that were able to go forth H3318 to war; H6635

41 Those that were numbered H6485 of them, even of the tribe H4294 of Asher, H836 were forty H705 and one H259 thousand H505 and five H2568 hundred. H3967

42 Of the children H1121 of Naphtali, H5321 throughout their generations, H8435 after their families, H4940 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 according to the number H4557 of the names, H8034 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that were able to go forth H3318 to war; H6635

43 Those that were numbered H6485 of them, even of the tribe H4294 of Naphtali, H5321 were fifty H2572 and three H7969 thousand H505 and four H702 hundred. H3967

44 These are those that were numbered, H6485 which Moses H4872 and Aaron H175 numbered, H6485 and the princes H5387 of Israel, H3478 being twelve H6240 H8147 men: H376 each H376 one H259 was for the house H1004 of his fathers. H1

45 So were all those that were numbered H6485 of the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 by the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 all that were able to go forth H3318 to war H6635 in Israel; H3478

46 Even all they that were numbered H6485 were six H8337 hundred H3967 thousand H505 and three H7969 thousand H505 and five H2568 hundred H3967 and fifty. H2572

47 But the Levites H3881 after the tribe H4294 of their fathers H1 were not numbered H6485 among H8432 them.

48 For the LORD H3068 had spoken H1696 unto Moses, H4872 saying, H559

49 Only thou shalt not number H6485 the tribe H4294 of Levi, H3878 neither take H5375 the sum H7218 of them among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel: H3478

50 But thou shalt appoint H6485 the Levites H3881 over the tabernacle H4908 of testimony, H5715 and over all the vessels H3627 thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear H5375 the tabernacle, H4908 and all the vessels H3627 thereof; and they shall minister H8334 unto it, and shall encamp H2583 round about H5439 the tabernacle. H4908

51 And when the tabernacle H4908 setteth forward, H5265 the Levites H3881 shall take it down: H3381 and when the tabernacle H4908 is to be pitched, H2583 the Levites H3881 shall set it up: H6965 and the stranger H2114 that cometh nigh H7131 shall be put to death. H4191

52 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 shall pitch their tents, H2583 every man H376 by his own camp, H4264 and every man H376 by his own standard, H1714 throughout their hosts. H6635

53 But the Levites H3881 shall pitch H2583 round about H5439 the tabernacle H4908 of testimony, H5715 that there be no wrath H7110 upon the congregation H5712 of the children H1121 of Israel: H3478 and the Levites H3881 shall keep H8104 the charge H4931 of the tabernacle H4908 of testimony. H5715

54 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 did H6213 according to all that the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses, H4872 so did H6213 they.


Numbers 1:1-54 American Standard (ASV)

1 And Jehovah spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

2 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, every male, by their polls;

3 from twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel, thou and Aaron shall number them by their hosts.

4 And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of his fathers' house.

5 And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you. Of Reuben: Elizur the son of Shedeur.

6 Of Simeon: Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

7 Of Judah: Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

8 Of Issachar: Nethanel the son of Zuar.

9 Of Zebulun: Eliab the son of Helon.

10 Of the children of Joseph: Of Ephraim: Elishama the son of Ammihud. Of Manasseh: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

11 Of Benjamin: Abidan the son of Gideoni.

12 Of Dan: Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

13 Of Asher: Pagiel the son of Ochran.

14 Of Gad: Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

15 Of Naphtali: Ahira the son of Enan.

16 These are they that were called of the congregation, the princes of the tribes of their fathers; they were the heads of the thousands of Israel.

17 And Moses and Aaron took these men that are mentioned by name:

18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month; and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.

19 As Jehovah commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.

20 And the children of Reuben, Israel's first-born, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

21 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.

22 Of the children of Simeon, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, those that were numbered thereof, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

23 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.

24 Of the children of Gad, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

25 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.

26 Of the children of Judah, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

27 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.

28 Of the children of Issachar, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

29 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.

30 Of the children of Zebulun, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

31 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.

32 Of the children of Joseph, `namely', of the children of Ephraim, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

33 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred.

34 Of the children of Manasseh, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

35 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

36 Of the children of Benjamin, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

37 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.

38 Of the children of Dan, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

39 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.

40 Of the children of Asher, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

41 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.

42 Of the children of Naphtali, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

43 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

44 These are they that were numbered, whom Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: they were each one for his fathers' house.

45 So all they that were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers' houses, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel;

46 even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

48 For Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

49 Only the tribe of Levi thou shalt not number, neither shalt thou take the sum of them among the children of Israel;

50 but appoint thou the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all the furniture thereof, and over all that belongeth to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the furniture thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

52 And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, according to their hosts.

53 But the Levites shall encamp round about the tabernacle of the 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 the testimony.

54 Thus did the children of Israel; according to all that Jehovah commanded Moses, so did they.


Numbers 1:1-54 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first of the second month, in the second year of their going out of the land of Egypt, saying:

2 `Take ye up the sum of all the company of the sons of Israel by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names -- every male by their polls;

3 from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host in Israel, ye do number them by their hosts, thou and Aaron;

4 and with you there is a man for a tribe, each is a head to the house of his fathers.

5 `And these `are' the names of the men who stand with you: `For Reuben -- Elizur son of Shedeur.

6 `For Simeon -- Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.

7 `For Judah -- Nahshon son of Amminadab.

8 `For Issachar -- Nathaneel son of Zuar.

9 `For Zebulun -- Eliab son of Helon.

10 `For the sons of Joseph -- for Ephraim: Elishama son of Ammihud: for Manasseh -- Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.

11 `For Benjamin -- Abidan son of Gideoni.

12 `For Dan -- Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.

13 `For Asher -- Pagiel son of Ocran.

14 `For Gad -- Eliasaph son of Deuel.

15 `For Naphtali -- Ahira son of Enan.'

16 These `are' those called of the company, princes of the tribes of their fathers; they `are' heads of the thousands of Israel.

17 And Moses taketh -- Aaron also -- these men, who were defined by name,

18 and all the company they assembled on the first of the second month, and they declare their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names from a son of twenty years and upward, by their polls,

19 as Jehovah hath commanded Moses; and he numbereth them in the wilderness of Sinai.

20 And the sons of Reuben, Israel's first-born -- their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names, by their polls, every male from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host --

21 their numbered ones, for the tribe of Reuben, are six and forty thousand and five hundred.

22 Of the sons of Simeon -- their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, its numbered ones in the number of names, by their polls, every male from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host --

23 their numbered ones, for the tribe of Simeon, `are' nine and fifty thousand and three hundred.

24 Of the sons of Gad -- their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names, from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host --

25 their numbered ones, for the tribe of Gad, `are' five and forty thousand and six hundred and fifty.

26 Of the sons of Judah -- their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names, from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host --

27 their numbered ones, for the tribe of Judah, `are' four and seventy thousand and six hundred.

28 Of the sons of Issachar -- their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names, from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host --

29 their numbered ones, for the tribe of Issachar, `are' four and fifty thousand and four hundred.

30 Of the sons of Zebulun -- their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names, from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host --

31 their numbered ones, for the tribe of Zebulun, `are' seven and fifty thousand and four hundred.

32 Of the sons of Joseph -- of the sons of Ephraim -- their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names, from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host --

33 their numbered ones, for the tribe of Ephraim, `are' forty thousand and five hundred.

34 Of the sons of Manasseh -- their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names, from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host --

35 their numbered ones, for the tribe of Manasseh, `are' two and thirty thousand and two hundred.

36 Of the sons of Benjamin -- their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names, from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host --

37 their numbered ones, for the tribe of Benjamin, `are' five and thirty thousand and four hundred.

38 Of the sons of Dan -- their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names, from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host --

39 their numbered ones, for the tribe of Dan, `are' two and sixty thousand and seven hundred.

40 Of the sons of Asher -- their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names, from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host --

41 their numbered ones, for the tribe of Asher, `are' one and forty thousand and five hundred.

42 `Of' the sons of Naphtali -- their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names, from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host --

43 their numbered ones, for the tribe of Naphtali, `are' three and fifty thousand and four hundred.

44 These `are' those numbered, whom Moses numbered -- Aaron also, and the princes of Israel, twelve men -- each for the house of his fathers, they have been.

45 And they are, all those numbered of the sons of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host in Israel,

46 yea, all those numbered are six hundred thousand, and three thousand, and five hundred and fifty.

47 And the Levites, for the tribe of their fathers, have not numbered themselves in their midst,

48 seeing Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,

49 `Only, the tribe of Levi thou dost not number, and their sum thou dost not take up in the midst of the sons of Israel;

50 and thou, appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its vessels, and over all that it hath; they bear the tabernacle, and all its vessels, and they serve it; and round about the tabernacle they encamp.

51 `And in the journeying of the tabernacle, the Levites take it down, and in the encamping of the tabernacle, the Levites raise it up; and the stranger who is coming near is put to death.'

52 And the sons of Israel have encamped, each by his camp, and each by his standard, by their hosts;

53 and the Levites encamp round about the tabernacle of the testimony; and there is no wrath on the company of the sons of Israel, and the Levites have kept the charge of the tabernacle of the testimony.

54 And the sons of Israel do according to all that Jehovah hath commanded Moses; so they have done.


Numbers 1:1-54 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai in the tent of meeting, on the first of the second month, in the second year after their departure from the land of Egypt, saying,

2 Take the sum of the whole assembly of the children of Israel, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, every male, according to their polls;

3 from twenty years and upward, all that go forth to military service in Israel: ye shall number them according to their hosts, thou and Aaron.

4 And with you there shall be a man for every tribe, a man who is the head of his father's house.

5 And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: for Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur;

6 for Simeon, Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai;

7 for Judah, Nahshon the son of Amminadab;

8 for Issachar, Nethaneel the son of Zuar;

9 for Zebulun, Eliab the son of Helon;

10 for the children of Joseph: for Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud; for Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur;

11 for Benjamin, Abidan the son of Gideoni;

12 for Dan, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai;

13 for Asher, Pagiel the son of Ocran;

14 for Gad, Eliasaph the son of Deuel;

15 for Naphtali, Ahira the son of Enan.

16 These were those summoned of the assembly, princes of the tribes of their fathers, the heads of the thousands of Israel.

17 And Moses and Aaron took these men who are expressed by their names,

18 and gathered the whole assembly together on the first of the second month. And they declared their pedigrees after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, according to their polls.

19 As Jehovah had commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.

20 And the sons of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, according to their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:

21 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Reuben, were forty-six thousand five hundred.

22 Of the sons of Simeon: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, those that were numbered of them, by the number of the names, according to their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:

23 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty-nine thousand three hundred.

24 Of the sons of Gad: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:

25 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Gad, were forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty.

26 Of the sons of Judah: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:

27 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Judah, were seventy-four thousand six hundred.

28 Of the sons of Issachar: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:

29 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty-four thousand four hundred.

30 Of the sons of Zebulun: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:

31 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty-seven thousand four hundred.

32 Of the sons of Joseph: of the children of Ephraim: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:

33 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand five hundred.

34 Of the children of Manasseh: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:

35 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty-two thousand two hundred.

36 Of the sons of Benjamin: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:

37 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty-five thousand four hundred.

38 Of the sons of Dan: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:

39 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Dan, were sixty-two thousand seven hundred.

40 Of the sons of Asher: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:

41 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Asher, were forty-one thousand five hundred.

42 Of the sons of Naphtali: their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:

43 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty-three thousand four hundred.

44 These are those that were numbered, whom Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, the twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers.

45 And all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, according to their fathers' houses, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service in Israel,

46 all they that were numbered were six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.

47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

48 For Jehovah had spoken to Moses, saying,

49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel.

50 But thou, 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 its vessels; and they shall serve it, and round about the tabernacle shall they encamp;

51 and when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle encampeth, the Levites shall set it up; and the stranger that cometh near shall be put to death.

52 And the children of Israel shall encamp every man in his camp, and every man by his own standard, according to their hosts;

53 but the Levites shall encamp round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there come not wrath upon the assembly of the children of Israel; and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.

54 And the children of Israel did so; according to all that Jehovah had commanded Moses, so did they.


Numbers 1:1-54 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the Tent of Meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

2 "Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, every male, one by one;

3 from twenty years old and upward, all who are able to go out to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their divisions.

4 With you there shall be a man of every tribe; everyone head of his fathers' house.

5 These are the names of the men who shall stand with you: Of Reuben: Elizur the son of Shedeur.

6 Of Simeon: Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

7 Of Judah: Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

8 Of Issachar: Nethanel the son of Zuar.

9 Of Zebulun: Eliab the son of Helon.

10 Of the children of Joseph: Of Ephraim: Elishama the son of Ammihud. Of Manasseh: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

11 Of Benjamin: Abidan the son of Gideoni.

12 Of Dan: Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

13 Of Asher: Pagiel the son of Ochran.

14 Of Gad: Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

15 Of Naphtali: Ahira the son of Enan."

16 These are those who were called of the congregation, the princes of the tribes of their fathers; they were the heads of the thousands of Israel.

17 Moses and Aaron took these men who are mentioned by name.

18 They assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month; and they declared their ancestry by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, one by one.

19 As Yahweh commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.

20 The children of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, one by one, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;

21 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Reuben, were forty-six thousand five hundred.

22 Of the children of Simeon, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, those who were numbered of it, according to the number of the names, one by one, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;

23 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty-nine thousand three hundred.

24 Of the children of Gad, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;

25 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Gad, were forty-five thousand six hundred fifty.

26 Of the children of Judah, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;

27 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Judah, were sixty-four thousand six hundred.

28 Of the children of Issachar, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;

29 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty-four thousand four hundred.

30 Of the children of Zebulun, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;

31 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty-seven thousand four hundred.

32 Of the children of Joseph, of the children of Ephraim, their generations, by thir families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;

33 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand five hundred.

34 Of the children of Manasseh, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;

35 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty-two thousand two hundred.

36 Of the children of Benjamin, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;

37 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty-five thousand four hundred.

38 Of the children of Dan, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go forth to war;

39 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Dan, were sixty-two thousand seven hundred.

40 Of the children of Asher, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go forth to war;

41 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Asher, were forty-one thousand five hundred.

42 Of the children of Naphtali, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go forth to war;

43 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty-three thousand four hundred.

44 These are those who were numbered, whom Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: they were each one for his fathers' house.

45 So all those who were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers' houses, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war in Israel;

46 even all those who were numbered were six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty.

47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

48 For Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

49 "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, neither shall you take a census of them among the children of Israel;

50 but appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle of the Testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They shall carry the tabernacle, and all its furnishings; and they shall take care of it, and shall encamp around it.

51 When the tabernacle is to move, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall set it up. The stranger who comes near shall be put to death.

52 The children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, according to their divisions.

53 But the Levites shall encamp around the Tabernacle of the Testimony, that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be responsible for the Tabernacle of the Testimony."

54 Thus the children of Israel did. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, so they did.


Numbers 1:1-54 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 And the Lord said to Moses in the waste land of Sinai, in the Tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they came out of the land of Egypt,

2 Take the full number of the children of Israel, by their families, and by their fathers' houses, every male by name;

3 All those of twenty years old and over, who are able to go to war in Israel, are to be numbered by you and Aaron.

4 And to give you help, take one man from every tribe, the head of his father's house.

5 These are the names of those who are to be your helpers: from Reuben, Elizur, the son of Shedeur;

6 From Simeon, Shelumiel, the son of Zurishaddai;

7 From Judah, Nahshon, the son of Amminadab;

8 From Issachar, Nethanel, the son of Zuar;

9 From Zebulun, Eliab, the son of Helon;

10 Of the children of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama, the son of Ammihud; from Manasseh, Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur,

11 From Benjamin, Abidan, the son of Gideoni;

12 From Dan, Ahiezer, the son of Ammi-shaddai;

13 From Asher, Pagiel, the son of Ochran;

14 From Gad, Eliasaph, the son of Reuel;

15 From Naphtali, Ahira, the son of Enan.

16 These are the men named out of all the people, chiefs of their fathers' houses, heads of the tribes of Israel.

17 And Moses and Aaron took these men, marked out by name;

18 And they got together all the people on the first day of the second month; and everyone made clear his family and his father's house, by the number of the names, from twenty years old and over.

19 As the Lord had given orders to Moses, so they were numbered by him in the waste place of Sinai.

20 The generations of the sons of Reuben, the oldest son of Israel, were numbered by their families and their fathers' houses, every male of twenty years old and over, who was able to go to war;

21 Forty-six thousand, five hundred of the tribe of Reuben were numbered.

22 The generations of the sons of Simeon were numbered by their families and their fathers' houses, every male of twenty years old and over, who was able to go to war;

23 Fifty-nine thousand, three hundred of the tribe of Simeon were numbered.

24 The generations of the sons of Gad were numbered by their families and their fathers' houses, every male of twenty years old and over who was able to go to war;

25 Forty-five thousand, six hundred and fifty of the tribe of Gad were numbered.

26 The generations of the sons of Judah were numbered by their families and their fathers' houses, every male of twenty years old and over who was able to go to war;

27 Seventy-four thousand, six hundred of the tribe of Judah were numbered.

28 The generations of the sons of Issachar were numbered by their families and their fathers' houses, every male of twenty years old and over who was able to go to war;

29 Fifty-four thousand, four hundred of the tribe of Issachar were numbered.

30 The generations of the sons of Zebulun were numbered by their families and their fathers' houses, every male of twenty years old and over who was able to go to war;

31 Fifty-seven thousand, four hundred of the tribe of Zebulun were numbered.

32 The generations of the sons of Joseph were numbered by their families and their fathers' houses, every male of twenty years old and over who was able to go to war;

33 Forty thousand, five hundred of the tribe of Ephraim were numbered.

34 The generations of the sons of Manasseh were numbered by their families and their fathers' houses, every male of twenty years old and over who was able to go to war;

35 Thirty-two thousand, two hundred of the tribe of Manasseh were numbered.

36 The generations of the sons of Benjamin were numbered by their families and their fathers' houses, every male of twenty years old and over who was able to go to war;

37 Thirty-five thousand, four hundred of the tribe of Benjamin were numbered.

38 The generations of the sons of Dan were numbered by their families and their fathers' houses, every male of twenty years and over who was able to go to war;

39 Sixty-two thousand, seven hundred of the tribe of Dan were numbered.

40 The generations of the sons of Asher were numbered by their families and their fathers' houses, every male of twenty years old and over who was able to go to war;

41 Forty-one thousand, five hundred of the tribe of Asher were numbered.

42 The generations of the sons of Naphtali were numbered by their families and their fathers' houses, every male of twenty years old and over who was able to go to war;

43 Fifty-three thousand, four hundred of the tribe of Naphtali were numbered.

44 These are they who were numbered by Moses and Aaron and by the twelve chiefs of Israel, one from every tribe.

45 So all those who were numbered of the children of Israel, by their families, all those of twenty years old and over who were able to go to war,

46 Were six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty.

47 But the Levites, of the tribe of their fathers, were not numbered among them.

48 For the Lord said to Moses,

49 Only the tribe of Levi is not to be numbered among the children of Israel,

50 But to them you are to give the care of the Tent of meeting with its vessels and everything in it: they are to take up the Tent, and be responsible for everything to do with it, and put up their tents round it.

51 And when the Tent of meeting goes forward, the Levites are to take it down; and when it is to be put up, they are to do it: any strange person who comes near it is to be put to death.

52 The children of Israel are to put up their tents, every man in his tent-circle round his flag.

53 But the tents of the Levites are to be round the Tent of meeting, so that wrath may not come on the children of Israel: the Tent of meeting is to be in the care of the Levites.

54 So the children of Israel did as the Lord had given orders to Moses.

Commentary on Numbers 1 John Gill's Exposition of the Bible


Introduction

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 1

In this chapter orders are given to Moses to take the number of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upwards, Numbers 1:1; and the men that were to assist in this work, one of each tribe are mentioned by name, Numbers 1:4; all which was accordingly done, Numbers 1:17; and the particular numbers of each tribe are recorded, as they were taken, Numbers 1:20; and the sum total is given, Numbers 1:45; the Levites being excepted, who were employed about the tabernacle, and so not to be employed in military service, Numbers 1:47; they encamped about that, while the Israelites pitched their tents every man by his own camp and standard, Numbers 1:52.


Verse 1

And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai,.... Which is different from the wilderness of Sin, Exodus 16:1; and had its name from the mountain so called, on which God gave the law of the decalogue, and where the Israelites had been encamped eleven months, Exodus 19:1,

in the tabernacle of the congregation; which had now been set up a whole month, and out of which the Lord had delivered to Moses the several laws recorded in the preceding book in that space of time, Exodus 40:17,

on the first day of the second month; the month Ijar, as the Targum of Jonathan, which answers to part of our April, and part of May, and was the second month of the ecclesiastical year, which began with Abib or Nisan:

in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt; that is, the children of Israel, who had now been a year and half a month out of it:

saying, as follows.


Verse 2

Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel,.... Excepting the Levites; nor were any account taken of the mixed multitude that came out of Egypt with the children of Israel, only of them; and this account was taken, partly to observe the fulfilment of the divine promise to Abraham concerning the multiplication of his seed, and partly that it might be observed, that at the end of thirty eight years from hence, when they were numbered again, there were but three left of this large number, their carcasses falling in the wilderness because of their sins; and chiefly, as Aben Ezra observes, this sum was now taken to fix their standards, and for their better and more orderly journeying and encampment; for on the twentieth of this month they set forward on their journey from hence, Numbers 10:11; the word for the order is in the plural number, take ye, being given both to Moses and Aaron, who were to take the number, and did, Numbers 1:3,

after their families; into which their tribes were divided:

by the house of their fathers; for if the mother was of one tribe, and the father of another, the family was according to the tribe of the father, as Jarchi notes, a mother's family being never called a family, as Aben Ezra observes:

with the number of their names; of every particular person, whose name was inserted in a list or register:

every male by their poll; or headF2לגלגל־תאם "per capita sua", Pagninus, &c, ; for none but males were numbered: the Lord's spiritual Israel are a numbered people, written in the book of life, placed into the hand of Christ, and exactly known by him, even by name; yea, all that belong to him are numbered, and the very airs of their heads,


Verse 3

From twenty years old and upwards,.... All that had entered into their twentieth year, or, as it should rather seem, who were full twenty years of age, and all that were above it without any limitation; though some limit it to fifty, and others to sixty years, when men may be reasonably excused going to war; for to know who were fit for it seems to be a principal design of this order, as follows:

all that are able to go forth to war in Israel; who being about to journey, might expect to meet with enemies, with whom they would be obliged to engage in battle; and therefore it was proper to know their strength, and whom to call out upon occasion: Aben Ezra observes, that the phrase "in Israel" excepts the mixed multitude; those were not of Israel, and so not numbered, and perhaps not to be trusted or depended upon in war; nor were they mustered and marshalled by the standards of the several tribes; in a mystical sense, those numbered may signify the valiant of Israel, the same as the young men in 1 John 2:14; see Song of Solomon 3:7,

thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies; each tribe making a considerable army; see Gill on Exodus 7:4; these people were now typical of the church of God in its militant state in the wilderness, for which they are provided, and prepared, and accoutred.


Verse 4

And with you there shall be a man of every tribe,.... Excepting Levi, of which Moses and Aaron were, to assist in taking the account, and to see that it was an exact and perfect one:

everyone head of the house of his fathers; and prince of the tribe he belonged to, as appears from Numbers 1:16 and Numbers 7:2, where an account is given of the same persons as princes of the tribes that offered at the dedication of the altar, who here assisted in the taking this account; the Targum of Jonathan calls them each a prince, as Prince Elizur, &c.


Verse 5

And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you,.... Be present with Moses and Aaron when numbering the people; not merely as spectators of the affair, and inspectors of the accounts, but as assistants in the work; each man in his tribe, being best acquainted with the families and houses in it; and these men were not pitched upon by Moses and Aaron, nor chosen by their respective tribes, but were appointed and named by the Lord himself, which was doing them great honour:

of the tribe of Reuben: or "for Reuben"F3לראובן "pro Ruben", Samar. vers. "ipsi Reuben", Montanus. , for the taking the number of men in this tribe; and so of all the rest, see Numbers 1:44,

Elizur the son of Shedeur; from Numbers 1:5 the names of those several men are given, which were very proper for Moses and Aaron to know, though of little importance to us; nor the signification of their several names, given by Ainsworth and others; only, as Bishop Patrick observes, most of them show how much God was in the thoughts of those who, imposed these names on their children, several of them having in them "El" or "Eli", "God" or "my God", and "Shaddai", "Almighty" or "all-sufficient": to which may be added, that in some of them they seem to respect the Messiah, as Elizur, signifying "my God the rock"; and Shelumiel may be rendered, "God my peace"; and Zurishaddai, "my rock the Almighty", or "all-sufficient"; and Pedazhur, "the rock redeemeth": nor is there anything of any moment to be remarked, unless the order in which the several tribes are placed; and first the children of Leah, beginning with Reuben, the firstborn; and the rest, Simeon and Judah, are ranked according to their birth; Levi being omitted, because that tribe was not now numbered, and besides, Moses and Aaron were of it; and then Issachar and Zebulun; after those the children of Rachel, because of her honour and glory above the handmaids, as Aben Ezra remarks; who further observes, that it begins with Ephraim, following Jacob our father, that is, because of the blessing of Jacob, who preferred Ephraim the younger to Manasseh the elder; and here Ephraim and Manasseh are set before Benjamin, because they were in the place of Joseph; and after that the account goes on with Dan, because, he was the firstborn of the handmaids; and after him Asher, though the second son of Zilpah, is placed before Gad, the first son, because, says the same Aben Ezra, the Lord knew that he would be the head of those that encamped by the standard of Dan, and so is placed next to him; and after him Gad, who was the firstborn of Leah's handmaid; and Naphtali last of all, the second son of Bilhah: this order seems to be designed to suit with their encampments, and the form of them.


Verse 6

Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. See Gill on Numbers 1:5.


Verse 7

Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab. See Gill on Numbers 1:5.


Verse 8

Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar. See Gill on Numbers 1:5.


Verse 9

Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon. See Gill on Numbers 1:5.


Verse 10

Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. See Gill on Numbers 1:5.


Verse 11

Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni. See Gill on Numbers 1:5.


Verse 12

Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. See Gill on Numbers 1:5.


Verse 13

Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran. See Gill on Numbers 1:5.


Verse 14

Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel. See Gill on Numbers 1:5.


Verse 15

Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan. See Gill on Numbers 1:5.


Verse 16

These were the renowned of the congregation,.... The most famous and eminent among the people, for their birth and pedigree, or for their excellent qualities of wisdom, courage, and the like; or "the called of the congregation"F4קריאי העדה "convocati coetus", Montanus, Drusius; "convocati e coetu", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. , whom God had called by name and selected from the rest of the congregation to the above service, whereby great honour was done them: Aben Ezra says, the sense is, that the congregation did nothing until they had called them; with which agrees the note of Jarchi,"who were called to every business of importance in the congregation:"

princes of the tribes of their fathers; as Elizur was prince of the children of Reuben, Numbers 7:30; the same is there said of the rest in their respective tribes:

heads of thousands in Israel; the congregation of Israel being divided into thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, by the advice of Jethro, Exodus 18:21; each of these divisions had a ruler over them, and thousands being the highest number, these princes were chiliarchs, rulers or heads of thousands.


Verse 17

And Moses and Aaron took these men,.... They doubtless sent for them, and acquainted them with the nomination of them, by the Lord himself, for such a service; and they took them with them to the place where the number of the people was to be taken:

which are expressed by their names: in Numbers 1:16, and that as declared by the mouth of God himself.


Verse 18

And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month,.... The month Ijar, as the Targum of Jonathan, answering to part of April and May: this was done on the selfsame day the Lord spake unto Moses about this affair, Numbers 1:1; so expeditious were he and Aaron in doing the will of God:

and they declared their pedigrees; either Moses and Aaron, according to Aben Ezra, who inquired when they were born, because of the computation of twenty years; and then their birth was wrote down, as he says; or rather the people declared their pedigrees, of what tribe, family, and house they were, who their parents, when born, and so, of course, how old they were; Jarchi interprets it, they brought the books of their genealogies, and witnesses to confirm the birth of everyone of them, to show their genealogy according to their tribe; nor is it at all unlikely that every family and house, or master thereof, kept a register of those born to him in it, whereby their age could be ascertained as well as pedigree:

after their famines, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of their names, from twenty years old and upwards, by their poll: that is, every tribe gave an account of the families in it, every family what houses were in it, and every house what number of males were in it, and of what age; and such were numbered who were twenty years old and upward.


Verse 19

As the Lord commanded Moses,.... In this Moses and David differed in numbering the people of Israel; the one did it by an express command from God, and in obedience to it; the other without one, and against his will, 1 Chronicles 21:17,

so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai; where they now were when this order was given, Numbers 1:1; and from whence they removed the twentieth day of this month, Numbers 10:11; so that in less than three weeks time, perhaps much sooner, this affair was finished; and it may be, that the place of numbering them at this time is expressly observed, to distinguish it from another numbering of them, recorded in this book, which was done in the plains of Moab, Numbers 26:2.


Verse 20

And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son,.... Were numbered first, and next to them those of Simeon and Gad, for they were numbered according to the order in which they were to be encamped; for under Reuben's standard were Simeon and Gad, and under Judah's Issachar and Zebulun, and under Ephraim's Manasseh and Benjamin, and under Dan's Asher and Naphtali; and according to their order were the tribes numbered:

by their generations: or "their generations", the birth, descent, and pedigree of them:

after their families, by the house of their fathers: according to the families and houses to which they belonged:

according to the number of the names by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward; their names were taken down, the number of them counted by their heads, even all the males that were above twenty years of age:

all that were able to go forth to war; which phrase, as it suggests that before this age they were not reckoned able bodied men for war, in common, though some might; so it seems to except all infirm persons, by reason of age and otherwise: now in all the other account of the numbering of the rest of the tribes, the same forms of expression are used as here, only the tribe of Simeon, which is the next, these words are left out, "by their polls, every male", which being twice observed, need not be repeated, since by these instances it might be sufficiently known that the number was taken by a poll, and only of males; so that in Numbers 1:23, there is nothing material to observe, or anything different from what is in this verse, but the particular sums of each tribe numbered, which stand thus: of the tribe of Reuben 46,500; of the tribe of Simeon, 59,300; of the tribe of Gad, 45,650; of the tribe of Judah, 74,600; of the tribe of Issachar, 54,400; of the tribe of Zebulun, 57,400; of the tribe of Ephraim, 40,500; of the tribe of Manasseh, 32,200; of the tribe of Benjamin 35,400; of the tribe of Dan, 62,700; of the tribe of Asher 41,500; of the tribe of Naphtali, 53,400; in which may be observed the various increase of the tribes, agreeably to divine predictions, and according to the sovereign will and infinite wisdom of God: Reuben, the firstborn, did not excel in number, six of the tribes having more in number than he: Judah had by far the greatest increase of them all, from whom the chief ruler was to come, and even the King Messiah; and in process of time was to become a kingdom of itself; Ephraim, the younger son of Joseph, was much more fruitful than Manasseh, his elder, more than eight thousand being numbered of the former than of the latter, all which agree with Jacob's prophecies, Genesis 49:4; nor had they always the greatest number who had the most sons at their going down into Egypt; for though Simeon, who had then more sons than Reuben, had at this time a larger posterity; yet Gad, who had more than Simeon, had now fewer descendants; and Dan, who had but one son at that time, had now almost double the number of Benjamin, who then had ten sons: and it may be observed of other tribes, that their increase was not in proportion to the number of the sons of the patriarchs then; see Genesis 46:8.


Verse 21

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. 46,500 men. See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 22

Of the children of Simeon, by their generations,.... See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 23

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 59,300 men. See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 24

Of the children of Gad, by their generations,.... See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 25

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad,

were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty. 45,650 men. See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 26

Of the children of Judah, by their generations,.... See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 27

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. 74,600 men. See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 28

Of the children of Issachar, by their generations,.... See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 29

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 54,400 men. See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 30

Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations,.... See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 31

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. 57,400 men. See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 32

Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations,.... See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 33

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred. 40,500 men. See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 34

Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations,.... See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 35

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 32,200 men. See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 36

Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations,.... See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 37

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 35,400 men. See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 38

Of the children of Dan, by their generations,.... See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 39

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan,

were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. 62,700 men. See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 40

Of the children of Asher, by their generations,.... See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 41

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. 41,500 men. See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 42

Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations,.... See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 43

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 53,400 men. See Gill on Numbers 1:20.


Verse 44

These are those that were numbered,.... Or, as the Targum of Jonathan, these are the sums of the numbers; namely, those before given of the several respective tribes:

which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men; for though the tribe of Levi was not numbered, yet Joseph having a double portion, his two sons are reckoned as distinct tribes; so that one out of each tribe made up the number twelve:

each one for the house of his fathers; for the tribe he belonged to, with which it might reasonably be supposed he was best acquainted, and could more readily take the number of them.


Verse 45

So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel,.... Of all the tribes, excepting Levi, that is, all the sums of the number of the children of Israel; all put together made the sum total given in the next verse:

by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; all in every tribe, family, and house, that were above twenty years of age, healthful and strong, and fit for war.


Verse 46

Even all they that were numbered,.... Of whom an account was taken, and their names set down in a book or register: were 603,550; which was exactly the number of them, when taken about seven months before this, when they were assessed for defraying the expenses of the tabernacle, Exodus 38:26; so that it should seem not one person had died during that time; for though there were three that died a violent death in that compass of time, yet two of them were of the tribe of Levi, not now numbered; and the other was not an Israelite by the father's side; see Leviticus 10:1; but it is not very probable, among such a vast number of people, that not one above twenty years of age should die in that time: some therefore are of opinion, that the tribe of Levi was numbered before, though not now; and that there was such an increase in that time among the other tribes as to equal the number of males of twenty years and upwards, in that tribe taken into the service of God, by which they were no losers.


Verse 47

But the Levites,.... The tribe of Levi were excepted from this muster, they being employed in a kind of warfare, and therefore not to be engaged in another:

after the tribe of their fathers, were not numbered among them: the rest of the tribes; the reason follows.


Verse 48

For the Lord had spoken unto Moses,.... Not to number the Levites, when he gave him the orders to number the rest of the tribes: this is observed, lest it should be thought that this was what Moses did of himself, out of affection to the tribe he was of, and to spare it, that it might not be obliged to go forth to war when others did; not that they were forbid to engage in war, or that it was unlawful for them so to do, for when necessity required, and they were of themselves willing to engage in it, they might, as appears in the case of the Maccabees, but they might not be forced into it; they were, as JosephusF5Antiqu. l. 3. c. 12. sect. 4. says, exempted from it; and so all concerned in religious service, both among Heathens and Christians, have always been excused bearing arms:

saying; as follows.


Verse 49

Only thou shall not number the tribe of Levi,.... That is, along with the other tribes, for it might be numbered by itself, as it afterwards was, Numbers 3:43,

neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel; which confirms what is before observed: now this being the declared will of God clears Moses from all partiality to his own tribe, he doing nothing but what he had a command of God for it.


Verse 50

But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony,.... So called from the ark in it, in which was the law of God, which was a testimony of the will of God to his people:

and over all the vessels thereof; the candlestick, table: and altars, as Aben Ezra notes:

and over all things that belong to it; the vessels of vessels, as the same writer calls them; for the candlestick, shewbread table, and the two altars of incense and burnt offering had vessels appertaining to them:

they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; carry them from place to place when needful:

and they shall minister unto it; by taking care of the instruments of it and the vessels in it, but not by doing any part of the priestly office in it, as offering sacrifice, burning incense, and the like:

and shall encamp round about the tabernacle; they were a sort of camp or army of themselves, and their station was around the tabernacle, which was a kind of royal palace to God the King of kings; so that as they were the king's legion, and to be numbered alone, as Jarchi observes, in Numbers 1:49, so they were a guard about his palace, and were placed between that and the camp of Israel.


Verse 51

And when the tabernacle setteth forward,.... Or was about to set forward; that is, the congregation were about to journey, and take the tabernacle with them, as they always did, when and wherever they journeyed:

the Levites shall take it down; unpin it, take the boards and pillars out of their sockets, and the bars out of their places, and the whole into pieces, in order to be put into wagons prepared to carry them, of which mention is made in a following chapter:

and when the tabernacle is pitched, the Levites shall set it up; at whatsoever place the congregation encamped and took up their abode for any time: the tabernacle was pitched in the manner as tents are, when the Levites put the several parts together, laid the sockets, put in the boards and the bars, and also the pillars of the court and elsewhere, and hung the hangings upon them; and set the candlestick, tables, altars, ark, and all the vessels of the sanctuary in their proper places:

and the stranger that cometh nigh; to meddle with or touch the above things, to assist in taking down or setting up the tabernacle, or bearing any of the vessels of it: by a stranger is meant, not one of another nation, nor a proselyte, whether of the gate or of righteousness; but, as Aben Ezra interprets it, one that is a stranger from the sons of Levi, who is not of that tribe, even though an Israelite:

shall be put to death; either the sanhedrim or court of judicature shall condemn and put him to death, as the same writer observes; or he shall die by the hand of heaven, as Jarchi; that is, by the immediate hand of God, or with flaming fire from before the Lord, as the Targum of Jonathan; as Uzzah was smote, and died by the ark of God for touching it, 2 Samuel 5:6.


Verse 52

And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp,.... There were four, unless every tribe was a camp, and so then there were twelve camps, besides the camp of the Levites: the Targum of Jonathan is,"by the house of his troop,'the regiment to which he belonged, every tribe or camp having various troops or regiments in it:

and every man by his own standard throughout their hosts; there were four standards, and three tribes to each standard, which were placed east, west, north, and south of the tabernacle, as is at large described in the following chapter.


Verse 53

But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony,.... Between the tabernacle and the camps of Israel, to guard the tabernacle and preserve the things in it, and to keep persons from going into it that should not, to pollute or plunder it: these were placed in like manner as the four living creatures round the throne, Revelation 4:6; where the allusion seems to be to this situation of the Levites:

that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel; that is, from the Lord, should any of them approach too near, or meddle with and touch what they had nothing to do with, or go where they should not; such wrath as came upon Uzzah for his error and transgression before observed:

and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony; the several things in it committed to their charge; see Numbers 3:8.


Verse 54

And the children of Israel did according to all the Lord commanded Moses,.... Pitched their tents by their own camps and standards; did not come near the tabernacle but kept at a proper distance from it, and did not meddle with things they had no concern, with, and which were peculiar to the Levites:

so they did; which is repeated to show how readily, punctually, and perfectly they observed the command of God with respect to this affair.