Numbers 1

God commandeth Moseh and Aaron to number the Israelites, from twenty years old and upward, being fit for fight, verse 1. &c. and that under the conduct of twelve Chieftains, of every Tribe one, 4. Whose names are set down, 5. This is perfomed, 17. The numbers are expressed in particular of each Tribe, 20. And in general of all, 45. Whereof nevertheless the Levites are exempted, 47. Who are charged to take care of the Tabernacle, 50. Together with an appointment, where they were to camp themselves, viz. the Levites round about the Tabernacle, and the rest of the Tribes round about them 52.

1. Moreover the LORD spoke unto Moseh, in the desert of Sinai, in the Tent of the Congregation, on the first of the second month, [called, Ziv, and agreeing most with our March, see 1 King 6. On verse 1.] In the second year after that they were come fourth out of the land of Egypt, saying;

2. Take up the sum [Hebr. The head, so likewise, Exodus 30:12. And below verse 49. And Numbers 4:2. Understand a short comprisal of a great multitude of men] of the whole Congregation of the children of Israel by their families, according to the house of their Fathers, in the number of the names of all that is male, head for head: [Heb. by, or, according to their heads, or skulls, brainpans.]

3. From twenty years old, [Heb. from a son of twenty year, so frequently in this chapter] and upward, all that marched forth with the host in Israel: [i.e. all such as were made use of in time of war to bear arms, and were fit to be led against the Enemy to fight him; and consequently there were excepted here all such as through sickness, and indisposition of body or age were unfit for such service, and so below often times. See this manner of speaking likewise Deuteronomy 24:5. Chron. 26. 11.] Then ye shall number [The Heb. verse signifieth not onely to number barely; but likewise, to take good heed and careful view and inspection about those that are told, the which in our military phrase we call mustering] according to their hosts, Thou and Aaron.

4. And with you there shall be of every Tribe a man: that is a Chieftain [Hebr. A man of the head. I.e. the most principal and chiefest man of every Tribe, the first by birthright, and consequently the head of it, see below on verse 16.] Over his Fathers (the plural) house.

5. These now are the names of the men, which shall stand by you, of Reuben [i.e. of the Tribe of Reuben, and so likewise in the following verses] Elizur, the Son of Sedeur.

6. Of Simeon Selumiel, the son of Zurisaddai.

7. Of Juda Nabesson the son of Amninadab.

8. Of Issachar, Nethaneel, the son of Zuhar.

9. Of Zebulon, Eliah the son of Helon.

10. Of the Children of Joseph; of Ephraim, Elisama the son of Ammihud, of Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedazour.

11. Of Benjamin, Abidan the son of Gideon.

12. Of Dan, Ahiezer, the son of Ammisaddai.

13. Of Aser, Pagiel the son of Ochran.

14. Of GadEliasaph the son of Dehuel [Otherwise Rehuel, below chapter 2. Verse 14.]

15. Of Naphtali, Ahiras the son of Enan.

16. These were the called (ones) [i.e. those that were summoned, or called together, viz. the chief and principal men, or Princes of the people of each Tribe, who were wont to be called together, when there fell out any matters of moment to be transacted in public affairs, comp. below chapter 16. 2. And 26. 9. Otherwise renowned (ones) [the chief of the Tribes of their Tribes of their Father, they were the Heads, [see the annot. Job. 12. on verse 24.] Of the thousands of Israel [See Jud. 6. on verse 15.]

17. Then Moseh and Aaron took the men, which are expressed by names.

18. And they gathered the whole Congregation, upon the first day of the second month, and those declared their descent by their families, according to the house of their Fathers, [i.e. they made it appear by their Genealogies and Pedegrees, from what forefathers they were descended. Otherwise they were written down, and they made a Register (or muster-rowl) of them; or they were marked (pricked) and registered] in the number of the names of him that was twenty year old and upwards, head for head. [See above on verse 2.]

19. According as the LORD had commanded Moseh, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.

20. So there were the sons of Ruben the first born of Israel, their births by their families, according to the house of their Fathers, in the number of their names head for head, all that was male, from twenty year old and upwards, all those that marched forth with the host. [See above on verse 3.]

21. Their numbered (ones) of the Tribe of Ruben, were fourty six thousand and five hundred.

22. Of the sons of Simeon, their birth by their families according to the house of their Fathers, his numbered (ones) in the number of the names, head for head, all that was male, from twenty years old and upwards, all that marched forthwith the host.

23. Their numbered (ones) of the Tribe of Simeon were fifty and nine thousand, and three hundred.

24. Of the sons of Gad, their births by their families, according to the house of their Fathers, in the number of the names of twenty year old and upwards, and all that marched forth with the host.

25. Their numbered (ones) were of the Tribe of Gad fourty and five thousand, and six hundred and fifty.

26. Of the sons of Judah, their births, by their Families, according to the house of their Fathers, in the number of the names of twenty year old and upwards, all that marched forth with the host.

27. Their numbered (ones) were of the Tribe of Judah, seventy and four thousand and six hundred.

28. Of the sons of Issaschar, their birth by their Families, according to the house of their Fathers; in the number of the names, of twenty year old and upwards, all that marched forth with the host.

29. Their numbered (ones) were, of the Tribes of Issaschar fifty and four thousand, and four hundred.

30. Of the sons of Zebulon, their Births, by their Families, according to the house of their Fathers, in the number of their names, of twenty year old and upward, all that marched forth with the host.

31. Their numbered (ones) were of the Tribe of Zebulon, fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.

32. Of the sons of Joseph, of the sons of Ephraim, their Births by their Families according to the house of their Fathers, in the number of the names, from twenty year old and upwards, all that marched forth with host.

33. Their numbered (ones) were, of the Tribe of Ephraim, fourty thousand and five hundred.

34. Of the sons of Manasseh, their births by their Families, according to the house of their Fathers, in the number of names, from twenty year old and upwards, all that marched forth with host.

35. Their numbered (ones) were, of the Tribe of Manasseh, thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

36. Of the sons of Benjamin, their Births, by their Families, according to the house of their Fathers, in the number of the Names from twenty year old and upward, all that marched forth with the host.

37. Their numbered (ones) were, of the Tribe of Benjamin, thirty and five thousand and four hundred.

38. Of the sons of Dan, their Births, by their Families, according to the house of their Fathers; in the number of the names from twenty year old and upward, all that marched forth with the host.

39. Their numbered (ones) were, of the Tribe of Dan, sixty and two thousand, and seven hundred.

40. Of the sons of Aser, their Births by their Families, according to the house of their Fathers; in the number of the names, from twenty year old and upward, all that marched forth with the host.

41. Their numbered (ones) were, of the Tribe of Aser, forty and one thousand, and five hundred.

42. (Of) the sons of Naphtali, their birth by their Families, according to the house of their Fathers; in the number of names, from twenty year old and upwards, all that marched forth with the host.

43. Their numbered (ones) were of the Tribe of Naphtali, fifty and three thousand, and four hundred.

44. These are the numbered (ones) which Moseh numbered Aaron and the chief of Israel: twelve men they were [viz. the twelve Chieftains, or chief Commanders of Israel, see above verse 4. And 16.] Each one over the house of his Fathers (the Plural).

45. Thus were all the numbered (ones) of the sons of Israel, according to the house of their Fathers; from twenty year old and upwards, all that marched forth with the host in Israel.

46. All the numbered (one) were they, six hundred thousand, and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

47. But the Levites, according to the Tribe of their Fathers, were not numbered amongst them. [Heb. in the midst of them, i.e. Howbeit that the Levites were likewise a Tribe by themselves, yet their Tribe was not reckoned, nor brought into account in this numbering.]

48. For the LORD had spoken to Moseh, saying;

49. Only the Tribe of Levi ye shall not number, nor take up their sum, among the sons of Israel.

50. But thou, put the Levites over the Tabernacle of the Testimony, [Thus the Tabernacle is likewise called below ver. 53. And Exodus 38:21. , etc in regard that therein was kept the Testimony of Gods will, viz. the Law, written in two Tables of stone Tables of stone, and lying in the Ark of the Covenant. See Exodus 25:21. and Heb. 25. 21. and Hebrews 9:4.] And overall the furniture thereof, and over all that belongs unto it; they shall carry the Tabernacle, and all his furniture, and they shall administer the same, and they shall camp themselves round about the Tabernacle.

51. And when the Tabernacle shall remove, the Levites shall take the same off; and when the Tabernacle shall camp, the Levites shall set up the same, and the stranger, that approacheth thereunto shall be put to death. [Understand any one that was not of the Tribe of Levy; for such might not come near it, not lay any hand on for to help take it down, or carry, or set it up.

52. And the children of Israel shall camp themselves every one by his camp, and every one by his banner, by their hosts.

53. But the Levites shall camp themselves round about the Tabernacle of the Testimony, that there be no indignation [viz. of almighty God, who will not suffer the transgression of his Laws, especially those touching his worship, to go unpunished] over the congregation of the children of Israel; therefore the Levites shall observe the watch of the Tabernacle [see Lev. 8. On verse 35.] Of the testimony.

54. Thus the Children of Israel did, according to all that the LORD had commanded them, so did they.