Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 1:44
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.
These [are] those that were numbered,…. Or, as the Targum of Jonathan, these are the sums of the numbers; namely, those before given of the several respective tribes:
which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, [being] twelve men; for though the tribe of Levi was not numbered, yet Joseph having a double portion, his two sons are reckoned as distinct tribes; so that one out of each tribe made up the number twelve:
each one for the house of his fathers; for the tribe he belonged to, with which it might reasonably be supposed he was best acquainted, and could more readily take the number of them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
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. 45 So 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; 46 Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
We have here the sum total at the foot of the account; they were in all 600,000 fighting men, and 3550 over. Some think that when this was their number some months before (Exod. xxxviii. 26) the Levites were reckoned with them, but now that tribe was separated for the service of God, yet so many more had by this time attained to the age of twenty years as that still they were the same number, to show that whatever we part with for the honour and service of God it shall certainly be made up to us one way of other. Now we see what a vast body of men they were. Let us consider, 1. How much went to maintain all these (besides twice as many more, no question, of women and children, sick and aged, and the mixed multitude) for forty years together in the wilderness; and they were all at God’s finding every day, having their food from the dew of heaven, and not from the fatness of the earth. O what a great and good housekeeper is our God, that has such numbers depending on him and receiving from him every day! 2. What work sin makes with a people; within forty years most of them would indeed have died of course for the common sin of mankind; for, when sin entered into the world, death came with it, and how great are the desolations which it makes in the earth! But, for the particular sin of unbelief and murmuring, all those that were now numbered, except two, laid their bones under their iniquity, and perished in the wilderness. 3. What a great multitude God’s spiritual Israel will amount to at last; though at one time, and in one place, they seem to be but a little flock, yet when they come all together they shall be a great multitude, innumerable, Rev. vii. 9. And, though the church’s beginning be small, its latter end shall greatly increase. A little one shall become a thousand.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 44-46:
The total number counted in Israel’s tribes was 603,550, excluding the Levites. This indicates a large population. Those counted were males, able to go to war, v. 1-4, twenty years of age and upward. Allowing one wife and one child for each male, the total population of Israel could easily have been 1,810,650 – or more.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
C. TOTAL OF THE MARTIAL CENSUS vv. 4446
TEXT
Num. 1:44. 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. 45. So 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; 46. Even all they that were numbered were six hundred and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
PARAPHRASE
Num. 1:44. These are the ones who were counted, whom Moses and Aaron numbered with the assistance of the leaders of Israel, twelve men, each representing his fathers house. 45. So the entire number of the children of Israel, according to their fathers houses, from twenty years of age and up, every able man who could go forth to war in Israel, 46. the total number was 603,550.
COMMENTARY
When Gray (ICC, p. 13) dismisses the census total as unrealistic he cites the number of firstborn at 22,273 (Num. 3:43). From this he concludes that the total firstborn, male and female, would be double this figure, or 44,546; the total number of Israelites he then places between 2,000,000 and 2,500,000, and concludes that the average family must have had 50 children! Again, his preconceived conclusion (that the figures are unreliable) has blinded his reason to some important facts: we have no idea whatever how many firstborn males there might have been who were unfit for war; his words make no provision for the Levites, separately counted; and, as Keil proposes, the number may represent only those firstborn sons who were born after the exodus. Michaelis has proposed that the practice of polygamy was widespread among the Israelites, and only the firstborn of the fathers were counted. Baumgarten suggests that all firstborn male children under six years of age were counted, whereas those above that age were not, since they had already been redeemed by partaking of the passover in Egypt. Kurtz mentions other relevant factors; the remarkable fruitfulness of the Hebrew mothers; the exclusion of firstborn sons of the mother who were not also the firstborn of the father; and, like Michaelis, the possibility of polygamy among the Hebrews. Any and each of these may help explain an otherwise difficult question. (See PC xi, xii.)
Three important facts might be pointed out regarding this army: it was made up of Israelites only, and included none of the mixed multitude who would offer severe problems later; it was made up of the able-bodied only; and, all able-bodied men were included. There is much to be learned from each of them.
QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS
27.
Compute the increase of the Israelites, tribe by tribe, since their ancestors first went to Egypt (See Gen. 46:5-27).
28.
Why would this census not include any of the mixed multitude among the children of Israel?
29.
How could such a multitude find sustenance in a wilderness?
30.
Why would the Lord not want the Levites to be included in the army?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
‘These are they who were numbered, whom Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men, they were each one for his fathers’ house.’
This then was a description of those who were mobilised for military duty, by their twelve chieftains representing their tribes, under the authority of Moses and Aaron. The Levites were omitted because they were not liable for military service
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Pause again, my brother, and reflect, what a standing miracle of mercy must it have been in the Lord, to have fed this great multitude in the wilderness, day by day for forty years together. And when the Reader hath duly contemplated this subject, let him consider further, what an everlasting miracle it must be of grace in the Lord Jesus, to have fed, and to be still feeding, his flock from age to age, amidst all the wilderness dispensations of this world, and amidst all their own barrenness, and the hast of foes everywhere around them! Dearest Lamb of God! that art in the midst of the throne! do thou feed me with that living food, which is thyself, and tell me where thou feedest thy flocks at noon: for otherwise, where shall I find bread in this waste and howling wilderness? Rev 7:17 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
twelve men: one man for one tribe (Num 1:4).
men. Hebrew ‘Ish. App-14.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Numbered for War; Set Apart for Worship
Num 1:1-4
This book records two numberings of the host; the first, at Sinai; and the second, thirty-eight years after, on the threshold of Canaan. It is also the book of the Wilderness wanderings, and contains the story of journeys, service, and vicissitude. It is therefore a valuable guide book to the Church in her present stage.
For us, too, there is a census. God numbers His jewels. He keeps an inventory of His people. Not one of them is omitted, however weak or unworthy. In thy book all my members are written. We must be able to tell our pedigree; i.e., we must be assured of our regeneration into Gods family. If we are doubtful about our childship to God, we shall be fit for neither campaigning nor fighting. The secret of failure always lies here. The Levites were not included because, in a very special sense, they belonged to God. He therefore was responsible for their well-being as He is for all of us who are united by faith with Christ-the true Aaron.
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
Num 1:2-16, Num 26:64