Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 1:19

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

19. As the Lord commanded Moses,c.The numbering of the people was not an act sinful in itself, asMoses did it by divine appointment but David incurred guilt by doingit without the authority of God. (See on 2Sa24:10).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

As the Lord commanded Moses,…. In this Moses and David differed in numbering the people of Israel; the one did it by an express command from God, and in obedience to it; the other without one, and against his will, 1Ch 21:17;

so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai; where they now were when this order was given, Nu 1:1; and from whence they removed the twentieth day of this month, Nu 10:11; so that in less than three weeks time, perhaps much sooner, this affair was finished; and it may be, that the place of numbering them at this time is expressly observed, to distinguish it from another numbering of them, recorded in this book, which was done in the plains of Moab, Nu 26:2.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

‘As Yahweh commanded Moses, so he numbered (assessed) them in the wilderness of Sinai.’

Thus did Moses fulfil Yahweh’s command and mobilise the fighting men of Yahweh ready for moving forward. The numbering of Israel was an act of faith and obedience to Yahweh. It was a declaration that Yahweh had a purpose to fulfil through them in possessing the land, which could be to them the hoped for ‘Kingdom of priests’ (Exo 19:6), the equivalent of the Kingdom of God, if only they would be faithful to Him. The army of Yahweh would move forward with Yahweh Himself among them on His earthly throne, the Ark of the covenant of Yahweh (Num 10:33-36), accompanied by the cloud which would move under His direction and veil His presence (Num 9:15-23; Num 10:11-12; Num 10:34). And if they continued faithful He would be among them as the great Deliverer, the One Whose will nothing could thwart.

The same can be true for us although in our case the goal is a heavenly Kingdom. We too are called on to ‘march forward’ and to look to the invisible One on His throne. But the question we must ask ourselves as we read these words is, are we mobilised as true and obedient ‘fighting men of Yahweh’, or are we only simply excess baggage?

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

Num 1:19 As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.

Ver. 19. So he numbered them. ] See Trapp on “ Exo 30:12 “ At every general muster they paid poll money. Exo 30:16 Such a taxation was first granted in this kingdom to Edward III; but in the next reign proved of ill consequence; the exactors receiving from the people no less sums of curses than of coin; whereupon, also, followed the first and greatest popular insurrection that ever was seen in this kingdom. a

a Daniel’s Hist.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)