Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. New Living Translation “From the whole community of Israel, record the names of all the warriors by their clans and families. List all the men English Standard Version “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. Berean Standard Bible “Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. Berean Literal Bible “Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel by their clans, by the house of their fathers, by the number of names—every male by their polls. King James Bible 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 polls; New King James Version “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, New American Standard Bible “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 NASB 1995 “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 NASB 1977 “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 Legacy Standard Bible “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 Amplified Bible “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 Berean Annotated Bible “Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel (he wrestles with God) by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. Christian Standard Bible “Take a census of the entire Israelite community by their clans and their ancestral families, counting the names of every male one by one. Holman Christian Standard Bible Take a census of the entire Israelite community by their clans and their ancestral houses, counting the names of every male one by one. American Standard Version 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; English Revised Version 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; GOD'S WORD® Translation "Take a census of the whole community of Israel by families and households. List every man by name Good News Translation "You and Aaron are to take a census of the people of Israel by clans and families. List the names of all the men International Standard Version "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, NET Bible "Take a census of the entire Israelite community by their clans and families, counting the name of every individual male. New Heart English Bible "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; Webster's Bible Translation 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: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. World English Bible “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, Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“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; Berean Literal Bible “Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel by their clans, by the house of their fathers, by the number of names—every male by their polls. Young's Literal Translation '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; Smith's Literal Translation 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: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTake 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, Catholic Public Domain Version “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, New American Bible Take a census of the whole community of the Israelites, by clans and ancestral houses, registering by name each male individually. New Revised Standard Version Take a census of the whole congregation of Israelites, in their clans, by ancestral houses, according to the number of names, every male individually; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTake 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; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated “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. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Take 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; Brenton Septuagint Translation 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 Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Census of Israel's Warriors1On 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: 2“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. 3You 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.… Cross References Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel Numbers 26:2 “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.” Exodus 30:12 “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. 1 Chronicles 21:1-2 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.” by their clans and families, Joshua 7:14-18 In the morning you must present yourselves tribe by tribe. The tribe that the LORD selects shall come forward clan by clan, and the clan that the LORD selects shall come forward family by family, and the family that the LORD selects shall come forward man by man. / The one who is caught with the things devoted to destruction must be burned, along with all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD and committed an outrage in Israel.’” / So Joshua arose early the next morning and had Israel come forward tribe by tribe, and the tribe of Judah was selected. … Exodus 6:14-25 These were the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. These were the clans of Reuben. / The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman. These were the clans of Simeon. / These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years. … 1 Samuel 10:20-21 Thus Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected. / Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, they could not find him. listing every man by name, Ezra 2:1-70 Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar its king. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town, / accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. This is the count of the men of Israel: / the descendants of Parosh, 2,172; … Nehemiah 7:6-73 These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar its king. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town, / accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. This is the count of the men of Israel: / the descendants of Parosh, 2,172; … Genesis 46:8-27 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn. / The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. / The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. … one by one. Exodus 38:26 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. Ezekiel 20:37 I will make you pass under the rod and will bring you into the bond of the covenant. Leviticus 27:32 Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD. Exodus 38:25-26 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. 2 Samuel 24:1-2 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.” 1 Chronicles 27:23-24 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. Leviticus 24:10 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. Treasury of Scripture 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; take ye the sum. Numbers 26:2-4,63,64 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… Exodus 30:12 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 thou numberest them. Exodus 38:26 A bekah for every man, that is, 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 men. the children Genesis 49:1-3 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days… Exodus 1:1-5 Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob… after Numbers 1:18,22,26 And 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… Exodus 6:14-19 These be the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the families of Reuben… Jump to Previous Assembly Census Children Clans Community Company Congregation Families Fathers Full Head House Households Houses Israel Israelite Male Names Poll Polls Sum WholeJump to Next Assembly Census Children Clans Community Company Congregation Families Fathers Full Head House Households Houses Israel Israelite Male Names Poll Polls Sum WholeNumbers 1 1. God commands Moses to number the people5. The princes of the tribes 17. The number of every tribe 47. The Levites are exempted for the service of the Lord Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel This command initiates the first census of the Israelites, a significant event in their history. The census was ordered by God to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai. It served both practical and spiritual purposes, such as organizing the people for military and religious duties. The census underscores the importance of order and structure within the community of God's people. It also reflects God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). by their clans and families listing every man by name one by one Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. He is instructed by God to take the census. 2. Aaron Moses' brother and the first high priest of Israel. He assists Moses in the leadership of the Israelites and in conducting the census. 3. Israelites The descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel. They are the chosen people of God, currently in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. 4. Wilderness of Sinai The location where the Israelites are camped when God commands the census. It is a significant place of testing and revelation for the Israelites. 5. Census The event of counting the Israelite men, which serves both practical and spiritual purposes, such as organizing the community and preparing for future challenges. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsThe census was commanded by God, showing the importance of obedience to His instructions, even in administrative tasks. Value of Each Individual Listing "every man by name" underscores the value God places on each person. In God's eyes, every individual matters and has a role in His plan. Community and Order The census was a means to organize the Israelites into clans and families, highlighting the importance of community and order in God's people. Preparation for Future Challenges The census prepared the Israelites for future military and logistical challenges, teaching us the importance of preparation and readiness in our spiritual journey. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 1:2?2. How does Numbers 1:2 emphasize the importance of order in God's community? 3. What role does family lineage play in understanding God's covenant in Numbers 1:2? 4. How can we apply the principle of accountability from Numbers 1:2 today? 5. How does Numbers 1:2 connect to God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:2? 6. What does Numbers 1:2 teach about God's attention to detail and organization? 7. Why does God command a census in Numbers 1:2? 8. How does Numbers 1:2 reflect God's relationship with Israel? 9. What is the significance of tribal lineage in Numbers 1:2? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 1? 11. Are biblical numbers accurate? 12. What is the main theme of the Book of Numbers? 13. Why do archaeological records not confirm such a massive population migration as implied in Numbers 1? 14. Psalm 87:6 – How can a divine census or registry be scientifically or historically validated? What Does Numbers 1:2 Mean Take a censusThe words “Take a census” show that God Himself initiates the count. He is not guessing at His people; He is numbering them. • Exodus 30:11-16 recalls an earlier census ordered by the LORD, tying the practice to covenant responsibility. • In 2 Samuel 24 David’s unauthorized count brings judgment, underscoring that only God has the right to command such a numbering. Here in Numbers 1:2 the command comes directly from the LORD, so the count is legitimate and blessed. God is teaching Israel that He knows their exact strength and is preparing them for organized service (Numbers 1:3). Of the whole congregation of Israel No tribe or household is left out. • Exodus 12:3 spoke of the “whole assembly” taking the Passover; now that same phrase covers everyone in the wilderness community. • Acts 7:38 calls Israel “the congregation in the wilderness,” linking this numbering to the church’s own identity as God’s gathered people. The census highlights that every believer belongs to the larger covenant family and shares in its mission. By their clans and families God’s organization respects natural relationships. • Genesis 10 lists nations “by their clans,” and Joshua 7:14 uses clans and families to identify Achan’s sin, proving that accountability flows through family lines. • Ephesians 3:15 reminds us that every “family in heaven and on earth is named” by the Father. The structure protects heritage and ensures that leadership and inheritance are clearly traced. Listing every man The immediate purpose is military readiness; verse 3 clarifies that those twenty years and older will “go out to war.” • Deuteronomy 20:1 encourages Israel when it faces battle, while 1 Chronicles 27:1 preserves later military rosters. Yet even here, spiritual truth shines through: men must step forward to represent and protect their households. By name Each man gives his personal name. • Isaiah 43:1 reassures, “I have called you by name; you are Mine,” and Jesus echoes that intimacy in John 10:3 when the Shepherd “calls His own sheep by name.” God’s people are not statistics; they are known individually and valued personally. One by one The tally is deliberate and meticulous. • Psalm 147:4 says God “counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name,” and Luke 12:7 reminds believers that even the hairs of their head are numbered. In the same way, the LORD ensures that not a single Israelite slips through the cracks. Thorough counting breeds confidence and order for the march to Canaan. summary Numbers 1:2 reveals a God who knows, values, and organizes His people with precision. He commands a full, orderly census that respects family bonds, calls men to responsibility, and records every individual by name. The verse reassures us that the LORD’s care is both corporate and personal: He counts the host, but He never loses the one. (2) After their families.--The family or clan, mishpahah, included several fathers' houses (see Kurtz's Hist. of the Old Covenant, 2, pp. 8-10).With the number of their names.--Better, according to the number of names. The reference is probably to the previous numbering recorded in Exodus 30:12. There is no corresponding clause in the account of the later numbering in Numbers 26:2. By their polls--i.e., man by man. The word gulgoleth denotes a man's head, or skull. Cf. Matthew 27:33. Verse 2. - Take ye the sum of all the congregation. 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 (Exodus 30:11, sq.). Since all who were liable had paid that tax (Exodus 38:25, 26), 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. After their families. 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 not 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. The number of their names. It is impossible to help thinking of the parallel expression in Acts 1:15, 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.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Take a censusשְׂא֗וּ (śə·’ū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take of the entire כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every congregation עֲדַ֣ת (‘ă·ḏaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage of the sons בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc by their clans לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם (lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people and families, אֲבֹתָ֑ם (’ă·ḇō·ṯām) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 1: Father listing בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר (bə·mis·par) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration the name שֵׁמ֔וֹת (šê·mō·wṯ) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8034: A name of every כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every man, זָכָ֖ר (zā·ḵār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2145: Remembered, a male one by one. לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָֽם׃ (lə·ḡul·gə·lō·ṯām) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 1538: A skull, head, poll (of persons) Links Numbers 1:2 NIVNumbers 1:2 NLT Numbers 1:2 ESV Numbers 1:2 NASB Numbers 1:2 KJV Numbers 1:2 BibleApps.com Numbers 1:2 Biblia Paralela Numbers 1:2 Chinese Bible Numbers 1:2 French Bible Numbers 1:2 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 1:2 Take a census of all the congregation (Nu Num.) |
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