1 And the LORD spoke to 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 you 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: you 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 oldest 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 three score 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 three score 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 to Moses, saying,

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

50 But you shall 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 to it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

51 And when the tabernacle sets 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 comes near 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 on 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.

wilderness: Num 10:11, Num 10:12, Exo 19:1, Lev 27:34

tabernacle: Exo 25:22, Lev 1:1

on the first day: As the tabernacle was erected on the first day of the first month, in the second year of their departure from Egypt - Exo 40:17, and this happened on the first day of the second month, in the same year, it is evident that the transactions related in the preceding book must all have taken place in the space of one month, and during the time the Israelites were encamped at mount Sinai. Num 9:1, Num 10:11, Exo 40:17, 1Ki 6:1

Reciprocal: Gen 17:4 - a father Gen 35:11 - a nation Gen 42:13 - Thy servants Gen 46:15 - Leah Exo 3:12 - ye shall Exo 12:3 - an house Lev 25:1 - General Num 3:1 - spake Num 7:89 - he heard Num 26:4 - General Num 26:64 - General Deu 23:12 - General

Take ye the sum: This numbering was probably intended to illustrate the Divine faithfulness in thus increasing the seed of Abraham; to prepare them to preserve due order in their march; and to distinguish the tribes and families. Num 26:2-4, Num 26:63, Num 26:64, Exo 30:12, Exo 38:26, 2Sa 24:1-3, 1Ch 21:1, 1Ch 21:2, 1Ch 27:23, 1Ch 27:24

the children: Gen 49:1-3, Exo 1:1-5

after: Num 1:18, Num 1:22, Num 1:26-54, Exo 6:14-19

Reciprocal: Num 1:19 - General Num 1:44 - General 1Ch 23:24 - by their polls 2Ch 17:14 - to the house

twenty: Num 14:29, Num 32:11, Exo 30:14

able: Num 26:2, Deu 3:18, Deu 24:5, 2Sa 24:9, 2Ch 17:13-18, 2Ch 26:11-13

by their: Num 33:1, Exo 12:17

Reciprocal: Num 1:47 - General 1Ch 5:18 - that went 1Ch 23:24 - twenty 2Ch 25:5 - from twenty

Num 1:16, Num 2:3-31, Num 7:10-83, Num 10:14-27, Num 13:2-15, Num 17:3, Num 25:4, Num 25:14, Num 34:18-28, Exo 18:25, Jos 22:14, 1Ch 27:1-22

Reciprocal: Lev 4:22 - a ruler hath sinned Num 7:2 - the princes Num 10:4 - General Num 30:1 - General Jos 4:2 - twelve men Jos 18:4 - three 1Ch 23:24 - after the house Rev 7:5 - tribe of Juda

Elizur: Num 2:10, Num 7:30, Num 10:18, Gen 29:32-35, Gen 30:5-20, Gen 35:17-26, Gen 46:8-24, Gen 49:1-33, Exo 1:2-5, Deu 33:1-29, Rev 7:4-8

Reciprocal: Gen 35:22 - Now the sons Num 1:17 - General Num 17:2 - all their princes 1Ch 2:1 - Reuben 1Ch 5:1 - he was Job 9:5 - which overturneth Eze 48:1 - the names

Shelumiel: Num 2:12, Num 7:36

Reciprocal: Gen 46:10 - Simeon Num 10:19 - Simeon Job 9:5 - which overturneth

Nahshon: Num 2:3, Num 7:12, Num 10:14, Rth 4:18, 1Ch 2:10, 1Ch 2:11, Mat 1:2-5, Luk 3:32, Naasson

Reciprocal: Gen 46:12 - Judah Exo 6:23 - Amminadab Rth 4:20 - Nahshon Mat 1:4 - Naasson

Nethaneel: Num 2:5, Num 7:18, Num 10:15

Reciprocal: Gen 46:13 - Issachar

Eliab: Num 2:7, Num 7:24, Num 10:16

Reciprocal: Gen 46:14 - Zebulun Eze 42:13 - the most holy

Elishama: Num 2:18, Num 7:48, Num 10:22, 1Ch 7:26, 1Ch 7:27

Gamaliel: Num 2:20, Num 7:54, Num 10:23

Reciprocal: Gen 48:5 - are mine Jdg 1:22 - the house 1Ch 2:41 - Elishama Eze 42:13 - the most holy

Abidan: Num 2:22, Num 7:60, Num 10:24

Reciprocal: Gen 46:16 - sons of Gen 46:21 - the sons

Ahiezer: Num 2:25, Num 7:66, Num 10:25

Reciprocal: Gen 46:23 - Dan

Pagiel: Num 2:27, Num 7:72, Num 10:26

Reciprocal: Gen 46:17 - Asher

Eliasaph: Num 7:42, Num 10:20, Son of Reuel, Num 2:14

Deuel: As the ד, daleth is very like the ר, resh, they might be easily mistaken for each other; and hence this person being called both Deuel and Reuel, may be easily accounted for. The Septuagint and Syriac have Reuel, in this chapter; and in Num 2:14, the Samaritan, Vulgate, and Arabic have Deuel, instead of Reuel, with which reading a vast number of manuscripts concur, and which is also supported by Num 7:42, Num 10:20. We may therefore safely conclude, the Deuel, and not Reuel, was the original reading.

Reciprocal: Jer 11:19 - that his

Ahira: Num 2:29, Num 7:78, Num 10:27

Reciprocal: Gen 46:24 - Naphtali

the renowned: Keruey haâidah, literally "the called of the congregation," those who were summoned by name to attend. Num 2:3-31, Num 7:2, Num 7:10-83, Num 10:14-27, Num 11:17, Num 16:2, Num 26:9, Jdg 6:15, 1Ch 27:16-22

heads: Num 1:4, Exo 18:21, Exo 18:25, Deu 1:15, 1Sa 22:7, 1Sa 23:23, Mic 5:2

Reciprocal: Lev 4:22 - a ruler hath sinned

Num 1:5-15, Joh 10:3, Rev 7:4-17

Reciprocal: Lev 24:16 - blasphemeth 1Ch 16:41 - expressed

their pedigrees: Ezr 2:59, Neh 7:61, Heb 7:3, Heb 7:6, *marg.

by the: Num 1:2

according: Num 1:20-54

from twenty: In this census no women were reckoned, nor children, nor minors, nor strangers, nor Levites, nor old men; which, collectively, must have formed an immense multitude; the Levites alone amounted to 22,300 men.

Reciprocal: Exo 30:14 - from twenty 1Ch 23:24 - by their polls 1Ch 27:23 - from twenty 2Ch 17:14 - to the house

Num 1:2, Num 26:1, Num 26:2, 2Sa 24:1-10

Num 2:10, Num 2:11, Num 26:5-7, Gen 29:32, Gen 46:9, Gen 49:3, Gen 49:4, 1Ch 5:1

Reciprocal: Gen 35:22 - Now the sons Gen 46:8 - Reuben Exo 30:14 - from twenty Num 1:18 - according

That a comparative view may be easily taken of the state of the tribes, we will here produce them, compared with that of the second census - Num 26:1, in their decreasing proportion, beginning with the greatest and proceeding to the least.

Tribe    1st Census    2nd Census

Judah    74,600     76,500

Dan    62,700     64,400

Simeon    59,300     22,200

Zebulun    57,400     60,500

Issachar    54,400     64,300

Naphtali    53,400     45,400

Reuben    46,500     43,730

Gad    45,650     40,500

Asher    41,500     53,400

Ephraim    40,500     32,500

Benjamin    35,400     45,600

Manasseh    32,200     52,700

Totals:    603,550    601,730

Thus we find Judah the most populous tribe, and Manasseh the least so; the difference between them being as great as 42,000. Jacob had given Judah the pre-eminence in his prophetic blessing; and that tribe was to have the precedency in the encampments of Israel: accordingly God had increased them more than any of their brethren. Ephraim and Manasseh, according to the same prophecy, were numbered as distinct tribes, Ephraim having the superiority, as it was foretold; and Joseph indeed appears "a fruitful bough." Num 2:10, Num 2:11, Num 26:7

Reciprocal: Gen 46:8 - Reuben Num 3:34 - General

Num 2:12, Num 2:13, Num 26:12-14, Gen 29:33, Gen 34:25-30, Gen 42:24, Gen 46:10, Gen 49:5, Gen 49:6

Reciprocal: Num 1:2 - after Num 26:14 - General 1Ch 23:24 - by their polls Rev 7:7 - Simeon

Num 2:13, Num 25:8, Num 25:9, Num 25:14, Num 26:14

Reciprocal: Gen 46:10 - Simeon

The tribe of Gad marched, along with that of Simeon, under the standard of Reuben; and it seems, on that account, to have been introduced in this order. The other tribes also, are here classed together according to their encampments, and the order of their subsequent march. Num 2:14, Num 2:15, Num 26:15-18, Gen 30:10, Gen 30:11, Gen 46:16, Gen 49:19

Reciprocal: Num 26:18 - General

Num 2:15, Num 26:18

Reciprocal: Gen 46:16 - sons of

Num 2:3, Num 2:4, Num 26:19-22, Gen 29:35, Gen 46:12, Gen 49:8-12, 2Sa 24:9, 1Ch 5:2, 2Ch 17:14-16

Reciprocal: Num 1:2 - after Num 26:22 - General

Num 2:3, Num 2:4, Num 26:22, 2Sa 24:9, 2Ch 17:14-16

Reciprocal: Gen 46:12 - Judah Gen 49:8 - thy hand

Num 2:5, Num 2:6, Num 23:23-25, Gen 30:18, Gen 46:13, Gen 49:14, Gen 49:15

Reciprocal: Num 26:25 - threescore

Num 2:6, Num 26:25

Reciprocal: Num 2:5 - General

Num 2:7, Num 2:8, Num 26:26, Num 26:27, Gen 30:20, Gen 46:14, Gen 49:13

Num 2:8, Num 26:27

Reciprocal: Gen 46:14 - Zebulun Num 2:7 - General

Num 2:18, Num 2:19, Num 26:35-37, Gen 30:24, Gen 37:1-36, Gen 39:1-23, Gen 46:20, Gen 48:1-22, Gen 49:22-26, Deu 33:17

Reciprocal: Gen 48:5 - are mine Num 26:37 - General Jdg 1:22 - the house

the tribe: Gen 48:5, Deu 33:17

were forty: Num 2:19, Num 26:37

Reciprocal: Gen 48:19 - I know it

Manasseh: Num 26:34, Gen 41:51, Gen 46:20, Gen 48:1, Gen 50:23, Deu 33:17, Jos 4:12, Jos 17:1, 1Ch 7:14, Rev 7:6

Num 2:21, Num 26:34, Gen 48:19, Gen 48:20

Gen 35:16-18, Gen 44:20, Gen 46:21, Gen 49:27

Reciprocal: Gen 46:19 - Joseph Num 26:41 - General

Num 2:23, Num 26:41, Jdg 20:44-46, 2Ch 17:17

Reciprocal: Gen 46:19 - Joseph Gen 46:21 - the sons

Gen 30:5, Gen 30:6, Gen 46:23, Gen 49:16, Gen 49:17

Reciprocal: Num 26:43 - General

Num 2:26, Num 26:43

Reciprocal: Gen 46:23 - Dan

Gen 30:12, Gen 30:13, Gen 46:27, Gen 49:20

Reciprocal: Gen 46:17 - Asher Num 26:47 - General 2Sa 2:9 - Ashurites 1Ch 2:2 - Asher

Num 2:28, Num 26:47

Reciprocal: Gen 46:17 - Asher 1Ch 2:2 - Asher

Naphtali: Gen 30:7, Gen 30:8, Gen 46:24, Gen 49:21, Respecting the manner in which this vast multitude sprang from 75 persons, Scheuchzer has some valuable calculations, with the results of which we present the reader:

Tribe    1st Gen    2nd Gen    3rd Gen    4th Gen    Totals - 3 and 4

Judah    25     238     3,865     70,735     74,600

Dan    11     132     2,508     60,192     62,700

Simeon    39     359     3,953     55,347     59,300

Zebulun    20     143     2,296     55,104     57,400

Issachar    27     251     3,022     51,378     54,400

Naphtali    26     296     3,560     49,840     53,400

Reuben    31     215     2,583     43,917     46,500

Gad    67     475     3,804     41,846     45,650

Asher    39     310     3,192     38,308     41,500

Ephraim    16     160     1,928     38,572     40,500

Benjamin    98     885     4,425     30,975     35,400

Manasseh    10     134     1,610     30,590     32,200

Levi    8     96     1,240     21,060     22,300

Reciprocal: Num 2:29 - the tribe Num 2:30 - General Num 26:50 - General

Num 2:30, Num 26:50

Reciprocal: Gen 46:24 - Naphtali Num 2:29 - the tribe

Num 1:2-16, Num 26:64

Reciprocal: Num 14:29 - all that were

What an astonishing increase from seventy persons who went down into Egypt about 215 years before, where they had latterly endured the greatest hardships! Such was the effect of God’s promise, which cannot fail. Num 2:32, Num 23:10, Num 26:51, Gen 12:2, Gen 13:16, Gen 15:5, Gen 17:6, Gen 22:17, Gen 26:3, Gen 28:14, Gen 46:3, Gen 46:4, Exo 12:37, Exo 38:26, Deu 10:22, 1Ki 4:20, 2Sa 24:9, 1Ch 21:5, 2Ch 13:3, 2Ch 17:14-19, Heb 11:11, Heb 11:12, Rev 7:4-9

Reciprocal: Gen 48:16 - grow into Num 11:21 - General Deu 1:10 - your God Jdg 20:17 - four hundred

Num 1:3, Num 1:50, Num 2:33, Num 3:1-51, Num 4:1-49, 8:1-26, Num 26:57-62, 1Ch 6:1-81, 1Ch 21:6

Reciprocal: Deu 10:8 - time the Lord

Num 2:33, Num 26:62

Reciprocal: Num 3:6 - General Num 8:11 - they may execute

thou shalt: Num 3:1-10, Num 4:15, Num 4:25-33, Exo 31:18, Exo 32:26-29, Exo 38:21, 1Ch 23:1-32, 1Ch 25:1 - 1Ch 26:32, Ezr 8:25-30, Ezr 8:33, Ezr 8:34, Neh 12:8, Neh 12:22, Neh 12:47, Neh 13:5, Neh 13:10-13, Neh 13:22

the tabernacle: Num 1:53, Num 20:11, Exo 31:18, Exo 38:21, Psa 122:4

shall encamp: Num 2:17, Num 3:23-38, Num 10:21

Reciprocal: Exo 16:34 - General Exo 37:5 - General Exo 40:33 - up the court Num 1:47 - General Num 2:2 - about the Num 3:7 - to do the 2Ch 24:6 - tabernacle Act 7:44 - the tabernacle Rev 15:5 - General

the Levites: Num 4:5-33, Num 10:11, Num 10:17-21

the stranger: Num 3:10, Num 3:38, Num 16:40, Num 18:22, Lev 22:10-13, 1Sa 6:19, 2Sa 6:7

Reciprocal: Exo 29:33 - a stranger Num 10:21 - the other did Num 17:13 - Whosoever Num 18:4 - a stranger 1Ki 13:33 - whosoever

Num 2:2, Num 2:34, Num 10:1-36, Num 24:2

Reciprocal: Num 9:19 - kept the Num 18:22 - come nigh

shall pitch: Num 1:50, Num 3:7, Num 18:3, 1Ti 4:13-16, 2Ti 4:2

there be: Num 8:19, Num 16:46, Num 18:5, Lev 10:6, 1Sa 6:19, Jer 5:31, Jer 23:15, Act 20:28-31

and the: Num 3:7, Num 3:8, Num 8:24-26, Num 18:3-5, Num 31:30, Num 31:47, 1Ch 23:32, 2Ch 13:10

Reciprocal: Exo 16:34 - General Exo 38:21 - tabernacle of testimony Num 2:2 - about the Num 3:23 - General Num 3:29 - General Num 3:35 - shall Num 3:38 - toward Num 8:26 - to keep Num 9:19 - kept the Num 16:9 - separated Rev 15:5 - General

Num 2:34, Exo 23:21, Exo 23:22, Exo 39:32, Exo 39:43, Exo 40:16, Exo 40:32, Deu 12:32, 1Sa 15:22, Mat 28:20

Reciprocal: Num 4:49 - According to the Num 9:22 - abode