Numbers 1 19

Numbers 1:19 kjv

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

Numbers 1:19 nkjv

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

Numbers 1:19 niv

as the LORD commanded Moses. And so he counted them in the Desert of Sinai:

Numbers 1:19 esv

as the LORD commanded Moses. So he listed them in the wilderness of Sinai.

Numbers 1:19 nlt

just as the LORD had commanded Moses. So Moses recorded their names in the wilderness of Sinai.

Numbers 1 verses

Numbers 1 19 Meaning

The verse declares the completion of the meticulous numbering of specific Israelite men, reaffirming that this entire census was conducted in precise accordance with the divine mandate given by the Almighty to Moses. It highlights God's authority, His intention for order, and Moses' faithful obedience in carrying out the command.

Numbers 1 19 Context

Numbers chapter 1 opens with God commanding Moses to conduct a detailed census of all Israelite males twenty years old and upward who were able to go out to war. This directive was given in the Wilderness of Sinai on the first day of the second month in the second year after their departure from Egypt. The purpose was to organize the camp by tribe, determine military strength, and establish order for their upcoming journey and conquest of Canaan. Verse 19 specifically details the result for a particular tribal grouping, ensuring it was recorded exactly as God had stipulated, emphasizing the careful, precise fulfillment of the divine instruction given to Moses and Aaron and the tribal leaders in the preceding verses. The census marks a transition from their chaotic exodus to an organized, disciplined host.

Numbers 1 19 Word analysis

• "Those": Refers to the specific individuals or groups that have just been enumerated (implied from the preceding verses).
• "were numbered": Paqad (Hebrew: פָּקַד). While "numbered" (specifically from sâphar or paqad) can mean "to count," paqad often carries a broader sense of "to visit, to attend to, to appoint, to muster, to assign." Here, in the context of a census, it means "to enroll, to muster, to take account of" the people, often with a view to their service or function within the community, especially for military readiness. The passive voice ("were numbered") implies the action was done to them by human agents (Moses, Aaron, and the leaders) acting under a higher authority.
• "of them": mi-hem (Hebrew: מֵהֶם). This simply indicates the subjects of the census – the Israelite males who were counted.
• "as": ka-asher (Hebrew: כַּאֲשֶׁר). This comparative particle emphasizes exact correspondence, conformity, and adherence. It means "just as," "according to that which," or "in the manner that." It points to precise compliance with the divine directive, underscoring the reliability and accuracy of the execution.
• "the LORD": YHWH (Hebrew: יהוה - often pronounced Adonai or translated as LORD). This is the personal, covenantal name of God, revealing Him as the faithful, unchanging God who acts in history for His people. Its presence here signifies that the command originated from the supreme Divine Authority.
• "commanded": tzivah (Hebrew: צִוָּה). This is a strong verb indicating an authoritative and imperative instruction, a definite order. It conveys a direct divine mandate, leaving no room for negotiation or deviation. God's word is sovereign and binding.
• "Moses": The divinely chosen leader, mediator, and agent through whom God conveyed His will to the people. His name signifies the human recipient entrusted with implementing the divine order, emphasizing his faithfulness and pivotal role in the early life of Israel.
• "Those were numbered of them": This phrase highlights the outcome of the census operation—the individuals were effectively counted and recorded. It suggests a methodical process, meticulously performed. The passive voice directs focus to the fact that this was done according to the plan.
• "as the LORD commanded Moses": This is the theological lynchpin of the verse. It attributes the entire census not to human initiative or arbitrary decision, but to the direct and explicit instruction of God Himself. This clause is a recurring motif throughout the Pentateuch, affirming the divine origin and authority of the instructions and the meticulous obedience rendered by Moses and, through him, by the Israelites. It underpins the legitimacy and sacredness of the organizational structure of Israel.

Numbers 1 19 Bonus section

The phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" or similar formulations appear more than 100 times in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. This consistent repetition serves as a literary device underscoring the divine inspiration and authority of the instructions being carried out, and also highlights the faithfulness of Moses as the agent of God's will. It provides assurance that the structure and organization of Israel, including this comprehensive census, were not human contrivances but precisely revealed divine mandates. This meticulous obedience to specific divine commands contrasts sharply with pagan practices of arbitrary rule or human self-will. The numbering demonstrates God's intentionality and care for His people, bringing structure where there had been none, in preparation for their collective journey of faith and ultimate inheritance. It also implies accountability before the God who meticulously counts His people.

Numbers 1 19 Commentary

Numbers 1:19 succinctly reports the execution of God's command regarding the census of Israel. Its brevity belies its profound significance, primarily emphasizing divine authority and human obedience. The recurring phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" found throughout the Pentateuch, especially in Numbers and Leviticus, is not merely a legalistic record but a theological affirmation. It reinforces that every detail of Israel's organization, their journey, their worship, and their daily life was divinely ordained. This established the foundational principle that Israel was a nation governed by God's explicit will, mediated through His chosen servant, Moses. This census, undertaken meticulously by divine mandate, transformed a dispersed group of former slaves into an organized, accountable, and militarily ready nation, prepared for the challenges of the wilderness and the conquest of the Promised Land. It speaks to God's desire for order and preparation in His people for fulfilling His purposes.