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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://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=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Census in the Wilderness</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/c/census_in_the_wilderness.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</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="/topical/vmenus/bsb/numbers/1.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="//biblehu.com/bmcde/c/census.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="/topical/">Topical</a> > Census in the Wilderness</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></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/c/census_event.htm" title="Census Event">◄</a> Census in the Wilderness <a href="/topical/c/census_money,_vows,_voluntary_offerings.htm" title="Census Money, Vows, Voluntary Offerings">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The Census in the Wilderness refers to the two significant enumerations of the Israelites recorded in the Book of Numbers during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. These censuses were commanded by God and conducted by Moses, serving both practical and spiritual purposes for the nascent nation of Israel.<br><br><b>First Census: <a href="/bsb/numbers/1.htm">Numbers 1</a></b><br><br>The first census is detailed in <a href="/bsb/numbers/1.htm">Numbers 1</a>, occurring in the second year after the Exodus from Egypt, while the Israelites were encamped at Mount Sinai. The LORD instructed Moses to take a census of the entire Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. The primary purpose was to determine the number of men eligible for military service. The LORD commanded, "Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. 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" (<a href="/numbers/1-2.htm">Numbers 1:2-3</a>).<br><br>The census counted 603,550 men aged twenty and above, excluding the Levites, who were set apart for the service of the Tabernacle. The Levites were not counted among the fighting men because their role was to maintain and transport the Tabernacle and its furnishings. This census established the organizational structure of the Israelite camp and prepared them for the challenges of the wilderness journey and eventual conquest of Canaan.<br><br><b>Second Census: <a href="/bsb/numbers/26.htm">Numbers 26</a></b><br><br>The second census took place nearly 40 years later, as recorded in <a href="/bsb/numbers/26.htm">Numbers 26</a>, after the Israelites had wandered in the wilderness due to their disobedience and lack of faith. This census was conducted on the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho, as the new generation prepared to enter the Promised Land. The LORD again instructed Moses and Eleazar, the son of Aaron, to take a census of the whole congregation of Israel: "Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel, those twenty years of age and older, by the houses of their fathers—all who can serve in the army of Israel" (<a href="/numbers/26-2.htm">Numbers 26:2</a>).<br><br>This census counted 601,730 men, indicating a slight decrease in the number of fighting men compared to the first census. The purpose of this enumeration was to organize the new generation for the impending conquest of Canaan and to allocate the land inheritance among the tribes. The Levites were again counted separately, numbering 23,000 males a month old and upward, as they were not included in the land inheritance.<br><br><b>Theological and Historical Significance</b><br><br>The censuses in the wilderness underscore the themes of divine order, preparation, and faithfulness. They highlight God's sovereign care and meticulous planning for His people, ensuring that each tribe and family was accounted for and had a role in the unfolding of His covenant promises. The censuses also serve as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience, as the first generation, except for Joshua and Caleb, perished in the wilderness due to their unbelief.<br><br>Furthermore, the censuses illustrate the transition from the old generation to the new, emphasizing the continuity of God's promises despite human failure. The careful recording of names and numbers reflects the value God places on each individual within the community of faith, affirming their identity and purpose within His divine plan.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/census.htm">Census</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/census_of_the_roman_empire,_by_caesar.htm">Census of the Roman Empire, by Caesar</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/census--a_poll_tax_to_be_levied_at_each.htm">Census: A Poll Tax to be Levied at Each</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/census--the_numbering_of_israel_by_david.htm">Census: The Numbering of Israel by David</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/census--the_numbering_of_israel_by_moses.htm">Census: The Numbering of Israel by Moses</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/interest.htm">Interest (35 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/steel.htm">Steel (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/census.htm">Census (24 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/center.htm">Center (30 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/y/yield.htm">Yield (78 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/levy.htm">Levy (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/farthing.htm">Farthing (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/rei.htm">Rei (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/dead.htm">Dead (580 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/mill.htm">Mill (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/mite.htm">Mite (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/parchments.htm">Parchments (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/copper.htm">Copper (55 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/commission.htm">Commission (11 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sand.htm">Sand (40 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/soft.htm">Soft (36 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/plague.htm">Plague (142 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/geology.htm">Geology</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/graecia.htm">Graecia</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/exploration.htm">Exploration</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/palestine.htm">Palestine (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/criticism.htm">Criticism (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/greece.htm">Greece (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bible.htm">Bible</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/c/census_event.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Census Event"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Census Event" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/c/census_money,_vows,_voluntary_offerings.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Census Money, Vows, Voluntary Offerings"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Census Money, Vows, Voluntary Offerings" /></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="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'; 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