Numbers 1:4

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2 ^a“Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male ^bindividually,

3 from ^atwenty years old and above—all who are able to go to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

4 And with you there shall be a man from every tribe, each one the head of his father’s house.

5 “These are the names of the men who shall stand with you: 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 from the sons 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 Ammishaddai;

13 from Asher, Pagiel the son of Ocran;

14 from Gad, Eliasaph the son of ^aDeuel;

15 from Naphtali, Ahira the son of Enan.”

16 ^aThese were ^bchosen from the congregation, leaders of their fathers’ tribes, ^cheads of the divisions in Israel.

17 Then Moses and Aaron took these men who had been¹ mentioned ^aby name,

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

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Numbers 1:5 >>

Numbers 1:1-4

A month had passed away since the setting up of the tabernacle Exodus 40:2, Exodus 40:17 : and the Sinaitic legislation was now complete (compare Leviticus 27:34).

A census ("sum" ) was commanded, to be based not upon any fresh registration of individuals, but upon that which had accompanied the previous collection of the offerings. Compare Exodus 30:11, etc.; Exodus 38:25-28. The offerings had been probably tendered by the people in groups, and if certificates of registration were furnished to such groups, the new census might be easily carried out by means of these documents, and got through Numbers 1:18 in a single day. The present registration enrolled persons "after their families, by the house of their fathers;" and was superintended not by the Levites (see Exodus 38:21 and note), but by Numbers 1:4 an assessor for each tribe to act in the business with Moses and Aaron. The purpose now in view was not religious only. The census now taken would serve as a basis for various civil and military arrangements.

**Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Numbers 1:4:**

Leviticus 4:22
Numbers 1:1-4
Numbers 1:5-16
2 Samuel 24:2
Amos 6:1

<< Numbers 1:3

Numbers 1:5 >>

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