American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Numbers 1
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;
Reference
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.
Reference
4
And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.
Reference
5
And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Numbers 7:30
10
Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
Reference
People
16
These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 18:21
Numbers 26:9
Numbers 1:4
References Israel
Exodus 18:25
Numbers 7:2
Numbers 16:2
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.
Reference
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 26:7
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 26:14
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 26:18
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;
Reference
27
Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were three score and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
Reference
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 26:25
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 26:27
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;
Reference
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 33:17
33
Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 26:37
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 26:34
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;
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 49:27
37
Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 26:41
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;
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 46:23
39
Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were three score and two thousand and seven hundred.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 26:43
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 26:47
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 26:50
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.
Reference
References Moses
Numbers 26:64
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.
Reference
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:
Reference
References Israel
Numbers 26:62
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.
Reference
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.
Reference
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.
Reference
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.
Reference
Judgment
Numbers 16:46
Leviticus 10:6
Temple
1 Chronicles 23:32
Numbers 8:19
Numbers 31:30
Numbers 31:47
54
And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
Reference
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 12:32
Summary of Numbers 1
Numbers Chapter 1 begins by describing how God spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai after Israel has been delivered from Egypt and been given the law. The people had been staying at Mount Sinai for some time, and they were preparing themselves to march towards the land that God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In this passage, God instructs Moses to take a census of the people. The reason for the census was not to learn how many Israelites there were; instead, the census identified Israel’s men of war who were to serve in the wars of the Lord.
At the Lord’s instruction, Moses and Aaron performed a headcount of every Israelite man who was twenty years of age or older who could go to war. They were to count every Israelite man “according to the house of their fathers.” Further, the Israelites were to be counted “by their hosts,” where a leader from each tribe was appointed to assist Moses and Aaron in the task. In short, the passage provides the numbers of men counted in each of the twelve tribes of Israel who could be mustered to war.
The passage then proceeds to provide the specific number of men who could go to war for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. The number of fighting men in the tribe of Reuben was 46,500 men. In Simeon, there were 59,300 men able to go to war. There were 45,650 fighting men in Gad and 74,600 men in Judah who could go to war. In Issachar, there were 54,400 men, while the tribe of Zebulun had 57,400 men. In Joseph’s sons, 40,500 men could fight in Ephraim, while 32,200 men could fight in Manasseh. Further, there were 35,400 men who could go to war in the tribe of Benjamin.
In Dan, 62,700 men were able to fight, while there were 41,500 men who could go to war in the tribe of Asher. Finally, the tribe of Naphtali had 53,400 men who could participate in battle. Altogether, the fighting men of Israel totaled 603,550 men twenty years old and above who could be put to war. Remarkably, the Levites were not counted alongside the rest of the Israelite tribes. Therefore, the passage highlights the special status that the Levites had among the children of Israel.
The Levites were given the special duty of serving as assistants to Moses and Aaron and taking care of all items belonging to God. God further instructed Moses to tell the Levites to take possession of the Lord’s offerings, including furniture, by caring for the tabernacle at all times. Specifically, the Levites were to set up the tabernacle and guard it day and night to ensure that it is not desecrated. Anybody who approached the tabernacle without permission was to be put to death. The Levites, therefore, were to serve as caretakers of the Israelites and the guardians of the tabernacle, which housed the Lord’s presence.
The Israelites further set up their camp in a formation that respected the Lord’s instructions. In particular, the Israelites set up their camp around the tabernacle, which was the center of the entire nation. This order was to remain throughout the journeys that Israel would undertake. Notably, the Israelites’ camp formed the Lord’s tabernacle at the center and the twelve Israelite tribes surrounding it. This way, the Lord’s instructions were followed at all times, which should have brought spiritual wellness to the children of Israel as they followed them through the wilderness.
It is further notable that Moses and Aaron carried out the duties of leadership as instructed by God. In particular, the leaders of each tribe were counted and assisted Moses and Aaron in the census taking, which took place according to the Israelite tribes and households. Altogether, the census revealed the number of fighting men in Israel, who numbered 603,550 men. Although this is a relatively small number to represent the entire nation of Israel, the children of Israel were a growing nation.
Therefore, Numbers Chapter 1 helps provide background information on the different duties that different groups of people had to carry out to ensure the smooth running of the Israelite society. At a time when the Israelites were still in the wilderness, the nation was highly organized. The fighting men of the nation were counted as they prepared to face dangers in the journey towards the promised land. The Israelite leaders provided order and direction to the Israelites. Finally, the Levites took care of the tabernacle, ensuring that it was guarded at all times, which should have brought spiritual wellness to the nation.
While the passage initially seems to simply be a heading of the different Israelite tribes and the number of men who could fight in each tribe, the details further reveal the significance of various aspects of Israelite society. First, the Israelites had to travel across the wilderness. Therefore, the nation needed fighting men who could protect the Israelite society from attacks. The passage further provides the Israelites’ order and direction as they travelled in the wilderness. In essence, the Israelites had the order of a nation even as they moved around in the wilderness. The Levites in particular safeguarded the Israelites’ religion, which was significant to them as a young nation. Finally, the details reveal that the Israelites were not to have their tabernacle moved in any manner that God did not instruct.
Overall, the passage describes the beginning of a new phase in the life of the Israelites. As the people set up their camp around the tabernacle, the Israelites were following God’s instructions to the letter. The Lord had instructed them to build the tabernacle, to set it up in the middle of the nation, and to avoid moving it in any manner that He had not instructed. The Levites further acted as assistants to Moses and Aaron in addition to taking care of the tabernacle. This way, the Israelites were well-prepared as they marched into their next phase of life.
At the Lord’s instruction, Moses and Aaron performed a headcount of every Israelite man who was twenty years of age or older who could go to war. They were to count every Israelite man “according to the house of their fathers.” Further, the Israelites were to be counted “by their hosts,” where a leader from each tribe was appointed to assist Moses and Aaron in the task. In short, the passage provides the numbers of men counted in each of the twelve tribes of Israel who could be mustered to war.
The passage then proceeds to provide the specific number of men who could go to war for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. The number of fighting men in the tribe of Reuben was 46,500 men. In Simeon, there were 59,300 men able to go to war. There were 45,650 fighting men in Gad and 74,600 men in Judah who could go to war. In Issachar, there were 54,400 men, while the tribe of Zebulun had 57,400 men. In Joseph’s sons, 40,500 men could fight in Ephraim, while 32,200 men could fight in Manasseh. Further, there were 35,400 men who could go to war in the tribe of Benjamin.
In Dan, 62,700 men were able to fight, while there were 41,500 men who could go to war in the tribe of Asher. Finally, the tribe of Naphtali had 53,400 men who could participate in battle. Altogether, the fighting men of Israel totaled 603,550 men twenty years old and above who could be put to war. Remarkably, the Levites were not counted alongside the rest of the Israelite tribes. Therefore, the passage highlights the special status that the Levites had among the children of Israel.
The Levites were given the special duty of serving as assistants to Moses and Aaron and taking care of all items belonging to God. God further instructed Moses to tell the Levites to take possession of the Lord’s offerings, including furniture, by caring for the tabernacle at all times. Specifically, the Levites were to set up the tabernacle and guard it day and night to ensure that it is not desecrated. Anybody who approached the tabernacle without permission was to be put to death. The Levites, therefore, were to serve as caretakers of the Israelites and the guardians of the tabernacle, which housed the Lord’s presence.
The Israelites further set up their camp in a formation that respected the Lord’s instructions. In particular, the Israelites set up their camp around the tabernacle, which was the center of the entire nation. This order was to remain throughout the journeys that Israel would undertake. Notably, the Israelites’ camp formed the Lord’s tabernacle at the center and the twelve Israelite tribes surrounding it. This way, the Lord’s instructions were followed at all times, which should have brought spiritual wellness to the children of Israel as they followed them through the wilderness.
It is further notable that Moses and Aaron carried out the duties of leadership as instructed by God. In particular, the leaders of each tribe were counted and assisted Moses and Aaron in the census taking, which took place according to the Israelite tribes and households. Altogether, the census revealed the number of fighting men in Israel, who numbered 603,550 men. Although this is a relatively small number to represent the entire nation of Israel, the children of Israel were a growing nation.
Therefore, Numbers Chapter 1 helps provide background information on the different duties that different groups of people had to carry out to ensure the smooth running of the Israelite society. At a time when the Israelites were still in the wilderness, the nation was highly organized. The fighting men of the nation were counted as they prepared to face dangers in the journey towards the promised land. The Israelite leaders provided order and direction to the Israelites. Finally, the Levites took care of the tabernacle, ensuring that it was guarded at all times, which should have brought spiritual wellness to the nation.
While the passage initially seems to simply be a heading of the different Israelite tribes and the number of men who could fight in each tribe, the details further reveal the significance of various aspects of Israelite society. First, the Israelites had to travel across the wilderness. Therefore, the nation needed fighting men who could protect the Israelite society from attacks. The passage further provides the Israelites’ order and direction as they travelled in the wilderness. In essence, the Israelites had the order of a nation even as they moved around in the wilderness. The Levites in particular safeguarded the Israelites’ religion, which was significant to them as a young nation. Finally, the details reveal that the Israelites were not to have their tabernacle moved in any manner that God did not instruct.
Overall, the passage describes the beginning of a new phase in the life of the Israelites. As the people set up their camp around the tabernacle, the Israelites were following God’s instructions to the letter. The Lord had instructed them to build the tabernacle, to set it up in the middle of the nation, and to avoid moving it in any manner that He had not instructed. The Levites further acted as assistants to Moses and Aaron in addition to taking care of the tabernacle. This way, the Israelites were well-prepared as they marched into their next phase of life.