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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 1:2 "Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/1-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/04_Num_01_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 1:2 - The Census of Israel's Warriors" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/1-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/1-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/1-1.htm" title="Numbers 1:1">◄</a> Numbers 1:2 <a href="/numbers/1-3.htm" title="Numbers 1:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“From the whole community of Israel, record the names of all the warriors by their clans and families. List all the men<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, by fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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 <i>their</i> names, every male by their polls;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“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 individually,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers&#8217 households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families (clans), by their fathers’ households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Take a census of the entire Israelite community by their clans and their ancestral families, counting the names of every male one by one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Take a census of the entire Israelite community by their clans and their ancestral houses, counting the names of every male one by one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, every male, by their polls;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, every male, by their polls;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Take a census of the whole community of Israel by families and households. List every man by name<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"You and Aaron are to take a census of the people of Israel by clans and families. List the names of all the men <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Take a census of the entire Israeli community, numbering them by their tribes and by ancestral houses. List the names of every male one-by-one, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Take a census of the entire Israelite community by their clans and families, counting the name of every individual male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, every male, one by one;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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 poll:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, every male, one by one, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names—every male by their counted heads;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Take ye up the sum of all the company of the sons of Israel by their families, by the house of their fathers, in the number of names -- every male by their polls;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Take up the sum of all the assembly of the sons of Israel, according to their families, according to the house of their fathers, with the number of names, every male according to their head:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel by their families, and houses, and the names of every one, as many as are of the male sex, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“Take a total of the entire assembly of the sons of Israel, by their families and houses, and the names of each one, of whomever is of the male sex,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Take a census of the whole community of the Israelites, by clans and ancestral houses, registering by name each male individually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Take a census of the whole congregation of Israelites, in their clans, by ancestral houses, according to the number of names, every male individually;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Take the census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />“And take the count of the number of the leaders of all of the assembly of the children of Israel for their tribes to the house of their fathers in the number of their names, every male for their leaders.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male, by their polls;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Take the sum of all the congregation of Israel according to their kindreds, according to the houses of their fathers' families, according to their number by their names, according to their heads: every male<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/1-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=12" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/1.htm">The Census of Israel's Warriors</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>On the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Wilderness of Sinai. He said: <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: śə·’ū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">“Take a census</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rōš (N-msc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">of the whole</a> <a href="/hebrew/5712.htm" title="5712: ‘ă·ḏaṯ (N-fsc) -- Congregation. Feminine of ed in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage.">congregation</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/4940.htm" title="4940: lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām (Prep-l:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- From shaphah; a family, i.e. Circle of relatives; figuratively, a class, a species or sort; by extens. A tribe or people.">by their clans</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·ṯām (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">and families,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: lə·ḇêṯ (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4557.htm" title="4557: bə·mis·par (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Number, tally. From caphar; a number, definite or indefinite; also narration.">listing</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/2145.htm" title="2145: zā·ḵār (N-ms) -- Male. From zakar; properly, remembered, i.e. A male.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šê·mō·wṯ (N-mp) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">by name,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1538.htm" title="1538: lə·ḡul·gə·lō·ṯām (Prep-l:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- A skull, head, poll (of persons). By reduplication from galal; a skull; by implication, a head.">one by one.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/30-12.htm">Exodus 30:12</a></span><br />“When you take a census of the Israelites to number them, each man must pay the LORD a ransom for his life when he is counted. Then no plague will come upon them when they are numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/38-25.htm">Exodus 38:25-26</a></span><br />The silver from those numbered among the congregation totaled 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel— / a beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years of age or older who had crossed over to be numbered, a total of 603,550 men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/24-1.htm">2 Samuel 24:1-2</a></span><br />Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.” / So the king said to Joab the commander of his army, who was with him, “Go now throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and register the troops, so that I may know their number.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/21-1.htm">1 Chronicles 21:1-2</a></span><br />Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. / So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">1 Chronicles 27:23-24</a></span><br />David did not count the men aged twenty or under, because the LORD had said that He would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky. / Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. For because of this census wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not entered in the Book of the Chronicles of King David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/24-10.htm">Leviticus 24:10</a></span><br />Now the son of an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father went out among the Israelites, and a fight broke out in the camp between him and an Israelite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/26-2.htm">Numbers 26:2</a></span><br />“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers—all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/3-15.htm">Numbers 3:15</a></span><br />“Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2</a></span><br />“Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-29.htm">Numbers 14:29</a></span><br />Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/26-64.htm">Numbers 26:64-65</a></span><br />Among all these, however, there was not one who had been numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sinai. / For the LORD had told them that they would surely die in the wilderness. Not one was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-35.htm">Deuteronomy 1:35-36</a></span><br />“Not one of the men of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your fathers, / except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land on which he has set foot, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/5-6.htm">Joshua 5:6</a></span><br />For the Israelites had wandered in the wilderness forty years, until all the nation’s men of war who had come out of Egypt had died, since they did not obey the LORD. So the LORD vowed never to let them see the land He had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/20-27.htm">1 Kings 20:27</a></span><br />The Israelites also mobilized, gathered supplies, and marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped before them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/2-17.htm">2 Chronicles 2:17</a></span><br />Solomon numbered all the foreign men in the land of Israel following the census his father David had conducted, and there were found to be 153,600 in all.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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;</p><p class="hdg">take ye the sum.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/26-2.htm">Numbers 26:2-4,63,64</a></b></br> Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/30-12.htm">Exodus 30:12</a></b></br> When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when <i>thou</i> numberest them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/38-26.htm">Exodus 38:26</a></b></br> A bekah for every man, <i>that is</i>, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty <i>men</i>.</p><p class="hdg">the children</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/49-1.htm">Genesis 49:1-3</a></b></br> And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you <i>that</i> which shall befall you in the last days… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/1-1.htm">Exodus 1:1-5</a></b></br> Now these <i>are</i> the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob… </p><p class="hdg">after</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/1-18.htm">Numbers 1:18,22,26</a></b></br> And they assembled all the congregation together on the first <i>day</i> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/6-14.htm">Exodus 6:14-19</a></b></br> These <i>be</i> the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these <i>be</i> the families of Reuben… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/24-16.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/exodus/38-25.htm">Census</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-34.htm">Children</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-45.htm">Clans</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-4.htm">Community</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-16.htm">Company</a> <a href="/numbers/1-1.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-45.htm">Families</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-45.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-17.htm">Full</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-14.htm">Head</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-15.htm">House</a> <a href="/exodus/12-3.htm">Households</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-33.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-34.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-22.htm">Israelite</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-7.htm">Male</a> <a href="/exodus/39-14.htm">Names</a> <a href="/micah/1-16.htm">Poll</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">Polls</a> <a href="/exodus/38-21.htm">Sum</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-30.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/1-16.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/numbers/1-49.htm">Census</a> <a href="/numbers/1-10.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/1-16.htm">Clans</a> <a href="/numbers/1-16.htm">Community</a> <a href="/numbers/1-3.htm">Company</a> <a href="/numbers/1-16.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/numbers/1-18.htm">Families</a> <a href="/numbers/1-4.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/numbers/5-7.htm">Full</a> <a href="/numbers/1-4.htm">Head</a> <a href="/numbers/1-4.htm">House</a> <a href="/numbers/1-24.htm">Households</a> <a href="/numbers/1-16.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/numbers/1-3.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/1-53.htm">Israelite</a> <a href="/numbers/1-20.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/1-17.htm">Names</a> <a href="/numbers/3-47.htm">Poll</a> <a href="/numbers/1-18.htm">Polls</a> <a href="/numbers/1-49.htm">Sum</a> <a href="/numbers/1-45.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/1-1.htm">God commands Moses to number the people</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/1-5.htm">The princes of the tribes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/1-17.htm">The number of every tribe</a></span><br><span class="reftext">47. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/1-47.htm">The Levites are exempted for the service of the Lord</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/numbers/1.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Take a census</b><br />The phrase "Take a census" in <a href="/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2</a> is a directive from God to Moses. The Hebrew root for "census" is "paqad," which means to count, number, or muster. This command is not merely about counting people; it is a divine mandate to organize and prepare the Israelites for their journey and future battles. In the ancient Near Eastern context, censuses were often conducted for military or taxation purposes. However, in this biblical context, it underscores God's sovereign plan and order for His people. It reflects the importance of each individual within the community and God's intimate knowledge of His people.<p><b>of the whole congregation</b><br />The term "of the whole congregation" emphasizes the inclusivity of the census. The Hebrew word for "congregation" is "edah," which refers to the assembly or community of Israel. This highlights the unity and collective identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people. It is a reminder that every member of the community is significant and has a role to play in the fulfillment of God's promises. Historically, this reflects the communal nature of ancient Israelite society, where the community's well-being was intertwined with individual responsibilities and contributions.<p><b>of the Israelites</b><br />The phrase "of the Israelites" identifies the specific group being addressed. The Israelites, descendants of Jacob (also known as Israel), are the covenant people of God. This designation is significant as it ties the people to the promises made to the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It serves as a reminder of their unique identity and mission as a nation set apart for God's purposes. In the broader biblical narrative, the Israelites are a type of the Church, called to be a light to the nations.<p><b>by their clans and families</b><br />The instruction "by their clans and families" indicates the methodical approach to the census. The Hebrew words "mishpachot" (clans) and "bet avot" (families) reflect the social structure of ancient Israel. This organization by family units underscores the importance of lineage and heritage in Israelite society. It also highlights the continuity of God's promises through generations. In a spiritual sense, it reminds believers of the importance of family and community in nurturing faith and passing on the legacy of God's covenant.<p><b>listing every man by name</b><br />The phrase "listing every man by name" underscores the personal nature of the census. Each individual is counted and named, reflecting the value and dignity of every person in God's eyes. The Hebrew word "shem" (name) signifies more than just an identifier; it represents one's character and essence. This meticulous recording signifies God's intimate knowledge and care for each person. It serves as an inspiration for believers to recognize their worth and identity in Christ, who knows each of His followers by name.<p><b>one by one</b><br />The phrase "one by one" emphasizes the thoroughness and precision of the census. It suggests an orderly and deliberate process, ensuring that no one is overlooked. This reflects God's attention to detail and His desire for order within His people. In a spiritual context, it reminds believers that God is a God of order, not chaos, and that He values each person individually. It encourages a personal relationship with God, where each believer is known and loved uniquely.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">After their families.</span>--The family or clan, <span class= "ital">mishpahah, </span>included several fathers' houses (see Kurtz's <span class= "ital">Hist. of the Old Covenant, </span>2, pp. 8-10).<p><span class= "bld">With the number of their names.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">according to the number of names. </span>The reference is probably to the previous numbering recorded in <a href="/exodus/30-12.htm" title="When you take the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul to the LORD, when you number them; that there be no plague among them, when you number them.">Exodus 30:12</a>. There is no corresponding clause in the account of the later numbering in <a href="/numbers/26-2.htm" title="Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.">Numbers 26:2</a>.<p><span class= "bld">By their polls</span>--i.e., man by man. The word <span class= "ital">gulgoleth </span>denotes <span class= "ital">a man's head, </span>or <span class= "ital">skull. </span>Cf. <a href="/matthew/27-33.htm" title="And when they were come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,">Matthew 27:33</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Take ye the sum of all the congregation.</span> The census here ordered had clearly been anticipated, as far as the numbers were concerned, by the results of the half-shekel poll-tax for the service of the sanctuary levied some time before on all adult males on pain of Divine displeasure (<a href="/exodus/30-11.htm">Exodus 30:11</a>, <span class="accented">sq.</span>). Since all who were liable had paid that tax (<a href="/exodus/38-25.htm">Exodus 38:25, 26</a>), it would only have been requisite to make slight; corrections for death or coming of age during the interval. The totals, however, in the two cases being exactly the same, it is evident that no such corrections were made, and that the round numbers already obtained were accepted as sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes. <span class="cmt_word">After their families.</span> This was to be a registration as well as a census. No doubt the lists and pedigrees collected at this time laid the foundation of that exact and careful genealogical lore which played so important a part both in the religious and in the secular history of the Jews down to the final dispersion. Every Jew had not only his national, but also (and often even more) his tribal and family, associations, traditions, and sympathies. Unity, but <span class="accented">not</span> uniformity, - unity in all deepest interests and highest purposes, combined with great variety of character, of tradition, and even of tendency, - was the ideal of the life of Israel. <span class="cmt_word">The number</span> <span class="cmt_word">of their names.</span> It is impossible to help thinking of the parallel expression in <a href="/acts/1-15.htm">Acts 1:15</a>, of the similarity in position of the two peoples, of the contrast between their numbers and apparent chances of success, of the more striking contrast between their actual achievements. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/1-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Take a census</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂא֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(śə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the entire</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">congregation</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲדַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ḏaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5712.htm">Strong's 5712: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stated assemblage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the sons</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by their clans</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4940.htm">Strong's 4940: </a> </span><span class="str2">A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and families,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבֹתָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">listing</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·mis·par)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4557.htm">Strong's 4557: </a> </span><span class="str2">A number, definite, indefinite, narration</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the name</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁמ֔וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(šê·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of every</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man,</span><br /><span class="heb">זָכָ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(zā·ḵār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2145.htm">Strong's 2145: </a> </span><span class="str2">Remembered, a male</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one by one.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḡul·gə·lō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1538.htm">Strong's 1538: </a> </span><span class="str2">A skull, head, poll (of persons)</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/1-2.htm">OT Law: Numbers 1:2 Take a census of all the congregation (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/1-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 1:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 1:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/1-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 1:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 1:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>