Numbers 1 2

Numbers 1:2 kjv

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;

Numbers 1:2 nkjv

"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,

Numbers 1:2 niv

"Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.

Numbers 1:2 esv

"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.

Numbers 1:2 nlt

"From the whole community of Israel, record the names of all the warriors by their clans and families. List all the men

Numbers 1 verses

Numbers 1 2 Meaning

Numbers 1:2 initiates a divinely commanded census of the Israelite male population in the wilderness of Sinai. It signifies God's meticulous organization of His people, not for mere demographic tracking, but for preparation to inherit the promised land, for military readiness to execute divine judgment against hostile nations, and for administrative purposes related to their tribal order, particularly concerning service within the Tabernacle and the distribution of land. The phrase "take a census" carries a deeper connotation than simple counting, suggesting a process of "lifting up the head," implying an individual's recognition, value, and readiness for service before God. This act underscored the community's accountability and their identity as God's unique congregation, ordered according to ancestral lines.

Numbers 1 2 Context

Numbers chapter 1 takes place in the Sinai wilderness, specifically on the first day of the second month in the second year after Israel's exodus from Egypt (Num 1:1). The Tabernacle has just been completed and consecrated, and God's glory has filled it. This census marks a new phase in Israel's journey; no longer a disorganized multitude, they are now to be prepared as a structured army ready to advance towards the Promised Land. The preceding books, Exodus and Leviticus, detailed their deliverance and the laws of their worship. Numbers shifts focus to their wilderness journey, the establishment of military and ceremonial order, and the challenges they face. The census immediately precedes the encampment instructions and the consecration of the Levites, signifying Israel's transformation into a unified, disciplined body accountable to God for His purposes.

Numbers 1 2 Word analysis

• "Take": (nasa - נָשָׂא): While generally meaning "to lift, bear, carry," in this specific context (when paired with rosh - "head"), it forms the idiom nasa rosh meaning "to take a census, to number." It carries connotations of lifting someone up or acknowledging their importance, as if "raising their head" to be counted, emphasizing their individual value before God. This differs from mere counting; it implies registration for a specific divine purpose.

• "a census": (rosh - רֹאשׁ): "Head." As discussed, nasa rosh forms the idiom for "take a census." The focus on "heads" suggests individual identity and accountability, particularly when contrasted with a general multitude. It implies the importance of each distinct person.

• "all the congregation": (kol ha'edah - כָּל הָעֵדָה):

  • kol: "All," emphasizing totality.
  • ha'edah: "The congregation" or "the assembly." This term refers to the formalized, organized body of Israel, indicating a specific gathering or community with structure and shared purpose under God's covenant, not just an unorganized crowd. It highlights their corporate identity before God.

• "of the children of Israel": (b'nei Yisrael - בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל): Literally "sons of Israel." This phrase continually identifies them as the descendants of Jacob (Israel), inheritors of the Abrahamic covenant and the recipients of divine promises. It roots their identity in their historical lineage and covenant relationship with God.

• "by their families": (l'mishp'chotam - לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם): mishpachah refers to an extended family or clan unit within a tribe, often comprising several households. This indicates an organizational structure beyond the individual, reflecting their social and tribal framework.

• "by their fathers’ houses": (l'veit avotam - לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם): beit av literally "house of father," representing the smallest social unit, a household or immediate family group, perhaps including paternal relatives living together. This level of detail emphasizes meticulousness and adherence to established patriarchal lineage.

• "according to the number of names": (l'mispar sh'mot - לְמִסְפַּר שֵׁמוֹת):

  • mispar: "Number" or "count."
  • sh'mot: "Names." This signifies the individual enumeration of each person by their distinct name, confirming identity and presence. It goes beyond a mere tally of bodies; each person is identified and recorded, reinforcing their personal significance to God.

• "every male individually": (kol zakhar l'golgoltam - כָּל זָכָר לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָם):

  • kol zakhar: "Every male." Specifies the demographic counted for this particular purpose (primarily military service, as specified in v.3).
  • l'golgoltam: "By their skulls" or "by their heads." This is the same root as "Golgotha" (skull hill). It is a highly precise term for counting "by head," ensuring that no individual male is missed and implying a per-person levy or identification. It connects strongly to the poll tax (kofer nafsh - ransom for a soul) in Exod 30, emphasizing that being counted entails responsibility or even atonement.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Take a census... every male individually": This specific command emphasizes both individual identity and corporate organization. The counting is not just for population figures, but for establishing an ordered community, prepared for service (military and spiritual) under God's command. The Hebrew terms hint at the theological weight behind simply "counting."
  • "all the congregation of the children of Israel": Highlights their dual identity: edah (organized religious community) and b'nei Yisrael (descendants of Jacob, inheritors of promises). It underscores the collective spiritual identity and divine election as God's covenant people.
  • "by their families, by their fathers' houses": Demonstrates God's adherence to the existing social, patriarchal, and tribal structures within Israel. It reveals His methodical nature and that divine order is established through human organizational frameworks, reinforcing tribal identity and heritage crucial for later land distribution and tribal responsibilities.

Numbers 1 2 Bonus section

The Hebrew phrase nasa rosh (take a census, literally "lift up the head") implies an act of honor or distinction given to each individual being counted. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, head counts were often associated with taxes, military levies, or specific royal commands. However, for Israel, as seen in Exodus 30:11-16, the census was intertwined with a poll tax, specifically called a "ransom for his soul" (kofer nafsh), emphasizing that being counted by God implied spiritual significance and atonement for the individual. Thus, the Numbers census, authorized by God, carries an inherent theological safeguard, distinguishing it from general census practices and protecting against the dangers of human pride or relying on numerical strength alone. The precise documentation of "families" and "fathers' houses" would also be critical in the prophetic tradition for tracing genealogies, especially for messianic expectations (e.g., Jesus' lineage through David, tracing back to the tribes of Israel).

Numbers 1 2 Commentary

Numbers 1:2 is more than a bureaucratic directive; it's a foundational command establishing order and readiness for Israel's divine purpose. The specific language of "take a census" (nasa rosh) goes beyond simple counting, implying an elevating of each individual's status, their worth in God's eyes, and their readiness to serve. This divine command contrasts sharply with later human-initiated censuses (like David's in 2 Sam 24), which stemmed from pride and resulted in judgment. Here, God meticulously numbers His people, demonstrating His intimate knowledge of each "name" and His concern for their individual accountability.

The census structures Israel "by their families" and "by their fathers’ houses," preserving the unique tribal identities that would be crucial for encampment, military organization, and eventually, land inheritance in Canaan. Each male "individually" counted (l'golgoltam) ensures personal accountability, reminding them of their responsibilities to the community and to God, potentially linking to the half-shekel atonement tax (Exod 30:11-16) for protection during such enumeration. The military-aged men (from twenty years old and upward, as specified in v.3) are specifically for "all who are able to go to war in Israel," showing that this organized numbering is not for human glory but for God's redemptive plan—to claim the Promised Land and to demonstrate His power through a disciplined host. This meticulous organization sets Israel apart from disorganized pagan hordes, underscoring God's character as a God of order and peace, preparing His people for a holy mission.