Numbers 1 3

Numbers 1:3 kjv

From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

Numbers 1:3 nkjv

from twenty years old and above?all who are able to go to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

Numbers 1:3 niv

You and Aaron are to count according to their divisions all the men in Israel who are twenty years old or more and able to serve in the army.

Numbers 1:3 esv

From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war, you and Aaron shall list them, company by company.

Numbers 1:3 nlt

twenty years old or older who are able to go to war. You and Aaron must register the troops,

Numbers 1 verses

Numbers 1 3 Meaning

This verse outlines the specific criteria for the census commissioned by the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai: to count every male from twenty years old and upward, who is fit and capable for military service within the nation of Israel. This enumeration was to be conducted by Moses and Aaron, organized according to the existing tribal structures and their subdivisions, in preparation for the upcoming journey and conquest of Canaan. It was a mobilization census, not merely a population count.

Numbers 1 3 Context

Numbers chapter 1 details the first divinely commanded census of the Israelites after their miraculous escape from Egypt and nearly a year's encampment at Mount Sinai. This verse is central to understanding the immediate purpose of the entire book of Numbers, known in Hebrew as "In the Wilderness." The people have been delivered, given the Law, and the Tabernacle is complete. Now, they are about to depart for the Promised Land. This census is not merely a count of heads, but a specific military registration (for tsava – "army" or "service") preparing the nation for the disciplined march, organization of the camp, and the upcoming conquest of Canaan. It sets the stage for themes of order, divine command, preparation, obedience, and the challenges of the wilderness journey, all leading to the inheritance promised by God. Historically and culturally, ancient near eastern societies often conducted censuses for taxation or conscription, but this census is unique in being directly commanded by YHWH for His holy war and the precise, ordered march of His people.

Numbers 1 3 Word analysis

• from twenty years old and upward (מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה mi-bên ‘eśrı̂m šānā wā-ma‘lāh):

  • Significance of Age: This age, twenty, is a recurring benchmark in Israelite law for adult responsibility, accountability, and the readiness for military or significant communal service. It marked the transition from youth to full societal and legal standing. It implies physical maturity and mental capacity.
  • Implications: This excludes women, children, and older men beyond fighting age or with physical limitations, highlighting the specific military nature of the census.

• all who are able to go to war (כָּל־ יֹצֵא צָבָא kol-yotsē’ tsāvā’):

  • "all": Indicates comprehensiveness; none meeting the criteria are to be excluded.
  • "able to go to war" (yotze tzava): Literally "going out to the army/host/service." This phrase denotes physical fitness, capability, and readiness for active military duty. It’s not just age, but physical and mental capacity for the demands of warfare and organized movement. It distinguishes between a general population count and a specific military conscription. Tsava here refers to the army as an organized body, and "going out" signifies active participation in military campaigns or orderly movement.

• in Israel:

  • Scope: Specifies that this command applies to the entire nation of Israel, as a collective entity, emphasizing their national identity and shared destiny under God. It points to a united people for a divine purpose.

• You shall list them, you and Aaron:

  • Divine Command: "You shall list them" (tipq'du - you shall count/muster) is a direct command from God, establishing the census as a sacred, God-ordained activity, unlike human-initiated censuses (cf. David's census in 2 Sam 24).
  • Joint Leadership: "you and Aaron" specifically names Moses, the supreme leader and lawgiver, and Aaron, the High Priest. This signifies the unified civil and spiritual leadership responsible for implementing God's commands and organizing the people. It implies that this task carried both a governmental and a sacred responsibility.

• by their divisions:

  • Organizational Principle: Refers to the existing tribal structure of Israel (e.g., Reuben, Simeon, Levi, etc.). The counting was not chaotic but methodical, preserving the tribal identity and facilitating orderly organization for marching, camping, and military formation, as detailed in the subsequent chapters of Numbers. This speaks to God's love for order and precision.

Numbers 1 3 Bonus section

The careful demographic data gathered from this census, specified in subsequent verses of Numbers 1, would have served multiple purposes: confirming the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding numerous descendants (Gen 12:2; 22:17), organizing the camp layout around the Tabernacle (Numbers 2), establishing marching order (Numbers 10), allocating land later in Canaan (Num 26:52-56), and supporting the divine election and distribution of responsibilities within the theocracy. The focus on those "able to go to war" subtly emphasizes the idea of a holy war – Israel's battles were not merely territorial acquisitions but divine judgments and extensions of God's sovereignty. The distinction between Levites (counted separately for sanctuary service) and the other tribes highlights a divine purpose for different callings within the community of faith, where some are set apart for spiritual duties, while others are prepared for defense and progression.

Numbers 1 3 Commentary

Numbers 1:3 reveals God's meticulous and purposeful organization of His people, Israel, at a pivotal juncture in their history. The census outlined here is fundamentally a military muster, preparing a pilgrim people for a conquering mission. The specificity of "from twenty years old and upward" defines the cohort as those of physical maturity and legal responsibility, fit for the rigors of travel and combat. The phrase "able to go to war" emphasizes capability over mere age, reflecting God's practical approach to human strength for His purposes. The joint instruction to Moses and Aaron underscores the dual civil and sacred authority under which Israel operated, signifying that even military preparation was integrated into their covenant relationship with God. Lastly, the emphasis on "divisions" (tribes) highlights God's pre-existing, divinely ordained societal structure for order and identity within the larger collective. This verse thus lays the foundational blueprint for Israel's journey through the wilderness as an organized, disciplined, and divinely-commissioned army.