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.
Overview of Numbers Chapter 1
Numbers Chapter 1 serves as the opening chapter of the Book of Numbers in the Bible, which is part of the Pentateuch. This chapter is primarily concerned with the organization and census of the Israelites as they prepare for their journey through the wilderness. It establishes the structure of the Israelite community and sets the stage for the events that will unfold throughout the book.
Key Themes
- Census and Organization: The chapter emphasizes the importance of counting and organizing the people of Israel, reflecting their identity as a distinct community.
- Divine Command: The census is conducted at God’s command, highlighting the theme of divine authority and guidance.
- Identity and Heritage: The listing of tribes and families underscores the significance of lineage and heritage in Israelite culture.
Structure of the Chapter
- Divine Instruction (Verses 1-4): God commands Moses to take a census of the Israelites.
- Preparation for the Census (Verses 5-15): The leaders of each tribe are named, and their responsibilities in the census are outlined.
- Census Results (Verses 16-46): The total number of men eligible for military service is recorded, organized by tribe.
- Conclusion and Summary (Verses 47-54): The Levites are excluded from the census, and the chapter concludes with instructions on the role of the Levites in the camp.
Detailed Analysis
Divine Instruction (Verses 1-4)
The chapter opens with God speaking to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai. The command to take a census is significant as it demonstrates God’s active role in the governance of Israel. Moses is instructed to count all males aged twenty and older, indicating a focus on military readiness. This sets a tone of preparation for the challenges ahead.
Preparation for the Census (Verses 5-15)
Moses is given a list of tribal leaders who will assist in the census. Each leader is identified by name, which serves to honor their position and acknowledges their leadership within their respective tribes. This section emphasizes the communal aspect of the census, as the leaders represent their families and tribes, reinforcing the importance of collective identity.
Census Results (Verses 16-46)
The results of the census reveal the number of men from each tribe who are able to go to war. This section is meticulously detailed, with each tribe listed along with its corresponding number. The totals reflect the strength of the Israelites as a fighting force, which is crucial for their survival in the wilderness. The tribes are organized in a specific order, highlighting their relationships and hierarchies.
Conclusion and Summary (Verses 47-54)
The chapter concludes with a note on the Levites, who are not counted among the fighting men. Instead, they are assigned specific duties related to the Tabernacle and are set apart for service to God. This distinction emphasizes the sacred role of the Levites and their importance in maintaining the spiritual life of the community. The chapter ends with instructions on how the Israelites are to camp and march, further illustrating the organized structure of their society.
Significance of the Chapter
Numbers Chapter 1 is significant for several reasons:
- It establishes the framework for the Israelite community as they prepare for the challenges of the wilderness.
- The census reflects God’s providence and care for His people, ensuring they are organized and ready for their journey.
- The emphasis on tribal identity and leadership reinforces the importance of community and heritage in Israelite culture.
Conclusion
In summary, Numbers Chapter 1 serves as a foundational text that sets the stage for the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. Through the census and the organization of the tribes, the chapter highlights themes of divine authority, communal identity, and preparation for the future. It underscores the importance of order and structure in the life of the Israelite community as they embark on a transformative journey.
