Numbers 1

King James Version

Full text for Numbers Chapter 1

1¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first [day] of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

2Take 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 polls;

3From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

4And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.

5And these [are] the names of the men that shall stand with you: of [the tribe of] Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.

6Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

7Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

8Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar.

9Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon.

10Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

11Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.

12Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

13Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran.

14Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

15Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan.

16These [were] the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.

17¶ And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by [their] names:

18And they assembled all the congregation together on the first [day] 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.

19As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.

20And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

21Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Reuben, [were] forty and six thousand and five hundred.

22Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

23Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Simeon, [were] fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.

24Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

25Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Gad, [were] forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.

26Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

27Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Judah, [were] threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.

28Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

29Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Issachar, [were] fifty and four thousand and four hundred.

30Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

31Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Zebulun, [were] fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.

32Of the children of Joseph, [namely], of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

33Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Ephraim, [were] forty thousand and five hundred.

34Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

35Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Manasseh, [were] thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

36Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

37Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Benjamin, [were] thirty and five thousand and four hundred.

38Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

39Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Dan, [were] threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.

40Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

41Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Asher, [were] forty and one thousand and five hundred.

42Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

43Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Naphtali, [were] fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

44¶ These [are] those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, [being] twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers.

45So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel;

46Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

47¶ But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

48For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying,

49Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:

50But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that [belong] to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

51And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

52And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts.

53But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.

54And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The LORD commanded Moses and Aaron to conduct a census of all Israelite males aged twenty years and upward, who were able to go forth to war. Assisted by a prince from each tribe, they numbered the people by their families and fathers' houses. The total count for the twelve tribes was 603,550 men, excluding the tribe of Levi, which was set apart for service to the Tabernacle.

Medium Summary

In the wilderness of Sinai, the LORD instructed Moses and Aaron to take a census of the children of Israel. The command specified counting every male from twenty years old and upward, who was capable of military service, organized by families and fathers' houses. To assist in this task, a designated prince from each of the twelve tribes was appointed. Moses and Aaron then assembled the congregation and meticulously recorded the numbers for each tribe. The individual tribal counts were detailed, ranging from Manasseh's 32,200 to Judah's 74,600. The grand total of all men able to go to war amounted to 603,550. Significantly, the tribe of Levi was explicitly excluded from this military census, as they were divinely appointed to bear, set up, and take down the Tabernacle of testimony, minister to it, and encamp around it to safeguard the congregation from divine wrath. The children of Israel diligently obeyed all the LORD's commands regarding the numbering.

Long Summary

The book of Numbers commences with the LORD's direct command to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, within the Tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month in the second year after the Exodus from Egypt. The divine instruction was to conduct a comprehensive census of the entire congregation of the children of Israel. This numbering was specifically to include every male from twenty years old and upward, who was physically able to go forth to war, organized by their families and fathers' houses. Moses and Aaron were tasked with overseeing this enumeration, aided by a chosen head from each of the twelve tribes. The chapter meticulously lists the names of these twelve renowned princes, who were heads of thousands in Israel, appointed to assist in the census. Moses and Aaron, along with these tribal leaders, assembled the congregation and proceeded to declare their pedigrees and count them according to the divine directive. The results for each tribe are then presented in detail: Reuben numbered 46,500; Simeon, 59,300; Gad, 45,650; Judah, 74,600; Issachar, 54,400; Zebulun, 57,400; Ephraim, 40,500; Manasseh, 32,200; Benjamin, 35,400; Dan, 62,700; Asher, 41,500; and Naphtali, 53,400. The cumulative total of all the numbered men, fit for war from these twelve tribes, reached 603,550. A crucial distinction is made regarding the tribe of Levi; they were expressly excluded from this military census by the LORD's command. Instead, the Levites were appointed for a sacred duty: to be in charge of the Tabernacle of testimony, its vessels, and all its appurtenances. Their responsibilities included bearing the Tabernacle, ministering to it, setting it up, taking it down, and encamping around it. This distinct role was to ensure that no wrath would come upon the congregation of Israel for approaching the holy things improperly. The chapter concludes by affirming that the children of Israel faithfully executed all that the LORD had commanded Moses.

Core Concepts

  • Census PurposeThe primary reason for the numbering was to identify all males twenty years and older who were able to go forth to war, indicating a military organization for the Israelite nation.
  • Tribal OrganizationThe census was conducted meticulously by tribe, family, and fathers' houses, highlighting the structured and genealogical basis of Israelite society.
  • Exclusion of LevitesThe tribe of Levi was specifically exempted from the military census, as they were set apart for sacred service related to the Tabernacle of testimony.
  • Levitical DutiesThe Levites were assigned the unique responsibility of bearing, setting up, taking down, and ministering to the Tabernacle and its vessels, and encamping around it.
  • Divine Command and ObedienceThe entire process, from the initial instruction to the final execution, underscores the direct communication from the LORD to Moses and the subsequent obedience of the children of Israel.
  • Tabernacle's CentralityThe Tabernacle of testimony is presented as the focal point of the Israelite camp, with the Levites' role emphasizing its holiness and the need for its proper handling and protection.