Numbers 1:3, commentary and pictures

At Sinai God directed Moses and Aaron to count tribe by tribe all men from twenty years old and upward who were fit for military service, organized by their armies. The count left out the tribe of Levi, all females, and all under twenty, numbering 603,550 men of war marshaled in complete order to march toward the promised inheritance. It was the first of two numberings, the other taken in the plains of Moab thirty-eight years later, and together they show little change in the total of adult males but considerable increase or decrease in individual tribes. Except for Caleb and Joshua none counted here survived to enter Canaan, but died in the wilderness for rebellion, so the first numbering stands against the second as proof that God fulfilled His judgment. Done at God's command the numbering was not in itself sinful as David's later proud census without the Lord's consent was, and it warns that God's favor does not make rebellion safe, while suggesting that the 144,000 may likewise number only males of mature age without including women and children.

First Census Setting

Numbers 1:3 belongs to the first of the two censuses recorded in the book, taken at Sinai, while the other was taken in the plains of Moab thirty-eight years later. Together with that later numbering near its close it gives the book its name, and the first four chapters concern the numbering of the people, the tribe of Levi, and the duties of Levi's families. The reading of Numbers 1–3 begins the book's account of Israel's numbering.

The census came at the close of the first year in the wilderness, after the law had been proclaimed from the flaming mount. By then the tabernacle had been erected with the ark containing the law in its most holy place, and the cloud of glory had taken possession of it. God had given bread from heaven every morning and water from the smitten rock, and the pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night remained over the camp. In the larger story it follows the giving of the law, the building of the tabernacle and the establishing of its services, and the sin of Nadab and Abihu, and it comes before leaving Mount Sinai on the way toward crossing the Jordan. At that point the work on the way seemed almost accomplished, with everything indicating speedy entrance into Canaan.

At God's direction Moses and Aaron were to number the people, carefully counted tribe by tribe. Those counted for military service were men twenty years old and upward who were able to go forth to war, organized by their armies. The chapter gives definite numbers for men of this age in the tribes.

The count excluded the tribe of Levi entirely, excluded all females, and excluded all under twenty years of age. The total was 603,550 men of war. God took down all their names and marshaled their host in complete order in preparation for marching into the land of promise. Every man numbered expected and might have received an inheritance there.

The numbering was made soon after coming out of Egypt, as Israel left Egypt. It describes the census of Israel's fighting men at the beginning of the forty years of wandering. It forms the counterpart to the numbering in Numbers 26 at the end of the forty years.

Comparison With Second Census

The chapter records a first census of men twenty years old and older who were able to go forth to war, organized by their armies, giving definite numbers for men of that age tribe by tribe. Those numbers are set side by side with the second census in Numbers 26, taken at the end of the forty years just before entering Canaan, to see which tribes gained or lost members during the wilderness journey. The first numbering was made soon after coming out of Egypt at the beginning of the forty years of wandering, and it forms the counterpart to the numbering in Numbers 26 at the end of the forty years. Comparing the censuses shows that the total number of adult males changed little over the intervening years, while the numbers in the individual tribes changed considerably. Set side by side the two numberings show that some tribes prospered greatly and increased while others decreased.

That first numbering counted 603,550 men, but not the Levites, women, or those under twenty years of age. Except for Caleb and Joshua, none of those counted the first time survived to enter the promised land. Though the men counted could have entered, all the rest died in the wilderness after rebellion, so the first numbering stands against the second as evidence that God fulfilled His judgment on the rebellious generation.

Lessons and Applications

Numbering men twenty years old and upward who were able to go forth to war, organized by their armies, when done at God's command was not in itself sinful. David's later census was sinful because he undertook it without the Lord's consent and relied proudly on the size of his forces. The numbering as Israel left Egypt counted only males of a specified age who were able to go to war, while women and children were also present, and it may have served as a representative count. This is given as a possible pattern for the 144,000, whose stated number may not include women and children, but it does not establish that the 144,000 are counted in exactly the same way.

The census illustrates the Bible's practice of numbering men of mature age for military service, from twenty years old and upward, not necessarily women and children. Accordingly, a count such as the 144,000 need not include every person who is saved. The first census set the age and purpose as men twenty years old and older who were able to go to war, counted by their armies, for a total of 603,550 men, but not the Levites, women, or those under twenty. The men counted could have entered the promised land, but all except Caleb and Joshua died in the wilderness after rebellion, and the later census showed that God had carried out His judgment against those who rebelled. Israel's history in this numbering warns that sin brings ruin and that God's favor and promises do not make rebellion safe.