◄ Numbers 1:46 ►
And all those counted totaled 603,550.
Study Bible
all those numbered
This phrase refers to the census taken of the Israelite men who were able to go to war. The Hebrew root for "numbered" is "paqad," which means to count, muster, or appoint. This census was not merely a statistical exercise but a divine command given to Moses and Aaron to organize the tribes for their journey and battles ahead. Historically, this reflects the importance of order and preparation in the life of the Israelites, emphasizing God's desire for structure and readiness among His people.

totaled
The act of totaling signifies the completion of the counting process. It underscores the thoroughness and precision required in following God's instructions. In a broader spiritual sense, it reminds believers of the importance of accountability and stewardship in their own lives, ensuring that every aspect is aligned with God's will.

603,550
This specific number represents the men of Israel who were twenty years old and upward, able to go to war. The precision of this figure highlights the historical reality of the Israelite community as a substantial and organized group. It also serves as a testament to God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). This number excludes the Levites, who were set apart for priestly duties, indicating the distinct roles within the community and God's provision for both spiritual and physical needs.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

2. Aaron
Moses' brother and the first high priest of Israel, who assisted Moses in leading the people.

3. Israelites
The descendants of Jacob, also known as the children of Israel, who were counted in this census.

4. Wilderness of Sinai
The location where the census was taken, a significant place in Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

5. Census
The event of counting the Israelite men able to go to war, as commanded by God to Moses.
Teaching Points
God's Order and Organization
The census reflects God's desire for order and structure among His people. It teaches us the importance of organization in our personal and communal lives.

Preparedness for Spiritual Battles
Just as the Israelites were counted and prepared for physical battles, Christians are called to be spiritually prepared, equipped with the armor of God (Ephesians 6).

Value of Each Individual
Every person counted in the census had a role and purpose. Similarly, each believer has a unique role in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12).

Faithfulness in Following God's Commands
The census was conducted as God commanded, illustrating the importance of obedience to God's instructions in our lives.

Community and Accountability
The census underscores the importance of community and accountability among God's people, reminding us to support and uphold one another in faith.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the organization of the Israelites in the wilderness reflect God's character and His plans for His people?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of preparedness from the census to our spiritual lives today?

3. How does understanding the value of each individual in the census help us appreciate our role in the church community?

4. What are some practical ways we can ensure we are obedient to God's commands in our daily lives?

5. How can we foster a sense of community and accountability within our own faith communities, drawing from the example of the Israelites?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12
The departure of the Israelites from Egypt, which sets the stage for their journey and the need for organization and preparation for entering the Promised Land.

Numbers 26
Another census taken later in the wilderness journey, showing the continuity and changes in the Israelite community.

Deuteronomy 1
Moses recounts the journey and the organization of the tribes, emphasizing the importance of order and obedience to God's commands.

Psalm 147
Highlights God's knowledge and care for His people, akin to the detailed attention given in the census.
Sermons
The First Army of Israel, an Illustration of the Church MilitantW. Jones.Numbers 1:20-46
The Necessity of WarH. W. Beecher.Numbers 1:20-46
The Two Numberings in the WildernessW. Binnie Numbers 1:44-46
Differences of Administrations in the Service of GodE.S. Prout Numbers 1:45-50
People
Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gideoni, Helon, Israelites, Issachar, Joseph, Levi, Levites, Manasseh, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, Zurishaddai
Places
Egypt, Sinai
Topics
550, 603, Hundred, Numbered, Six, Thousand, Yea
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 1:1-49

     5249   census

Numbers 1:45-46

     5266   conscription

Library
The Consolation
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received at the LORD 's hand double for all her sins. T he particulars of the great "mystery of godliness," as enumerated by the Apostle Paul, constitute the grand and inexhaustible theme of the Gospel ministry, "God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Child-Life in Nazareth
THE stay of the Holy Family in Egypt must have been of brief duration. The cup of Herod's misdeeds, but also of his misery, was full. During the whole latter part of his life, the dread of a rival to the throne had haunted him, and he had sacrificed thousands, among them those nearest and dearest to him, to lay that ghost. [1084] And still the tyrant was not at rest. A more terrible scene is not presented in history than that of the closing days of Herod. Tormented by nameless fears; ever and again …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Genealogy According to Luke.
^C Luke III. 23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself], when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's service--Num. iv. 46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son [this may mean that Jesus was grandson of Heli, or that Joseph was counted as a son of Heli because he was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Numbers 1:46 NIV
Numbers 1:46 NLT
Numbers 1:46 ESV
Numbers 1:46 NASB
Numbers 1:46 KJV

Numbers 1:46 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Numbers 1:45
Top of Page
Top of Page