The book of Numbers is a book containing a series of the most astonishing providences and events. Every where and in every circumstance God appears; and yet there is no circumstance or occasion which does not justify those signal displays of his grace and mercy; and in every relation we perceive the consistency of the divine intentions, and the propriety of those laws which he established.
Numbers 1
Overview
1:1 God commands Moses to number the people; 1:5 The princes of the tribes; 1:17 The number of every tribe; 1:47 The Levites are exempted for the service of the Lord.
Verse 1wildernessNumbers 10:11, 10:12; Exodus 19:1; Leviticus 27:34tabernacleExodus 25:22; Leviticus 1:1on the first dayAs the tabernacle was erected on the first day of the first month, in the second year of their departure from Egypt - Exodus 40:17 and this happened on the first day of the second month, in the same year, it is evident that the transactions related in the preceding book must all have taken place in the space of one month, and during the time the Israelites were encamped at mount Sinai. Numbers 9:1, 10:11; Exodus 40:17; 1 Kings 6:1ReciprocalGenesis 17:4 - a father; 35:11 - a nation; 42:13 - Thy servants; 46:15 - Leah; Exodus 3:12 - ye shall; 12:3 - an house; Leviticus 25:1 - General; Numbers 3:1 - spake; 7:89 - he heard; 26:4 - General; 26:64 - General; Deuteronomy 23:12 - GeneralVerse 2Take ye the sumThis numbering was probably intended to illustrate the Divine faithfulness in thus increasing the seed of Abraham; to prepare them to preserve due order in their march; and to distinguish the tribes and families. Numbers 26:2-4, 26:63, 26:64; Exodus 30:12, 38:26; 2 Samuel 24:1-3; 1 Chronicles 21:1, 21:2, 27:23, 27:24the childrenGenesis 49:1-3; Exodus 1:1-5afterNumbers 1:18, 1:22, 1:26-54; Exodus 6:14-19ReciprocalNumbers 1:19 - General; 1:44 - General; 1 Chronicles 23:24 - by their polls; 2 Chronicles 17:14 - to the houseVerse 3twentyNumbers 14:29, 32:11; Exodus 30:14ableNumbers 26:2; Deuteronomy 3:18, 24:5; 2 Samuel 24:9; 2 Chronicles 17:13-18, 26:11-13by theirNumbers 33:1; Exodus 12:17ReciprocalNumbers 1:47 - General; 1 Chronicles 5:18 - that went; 23:24 - twenty; 2 Chronicles 25:5 - from twentyVerse 4Numbers 1:16, 2:3-31, 7:10-83, 10:14-27, 13:2-15, 17:3, 25:4, 25:14, 34:18-28; Exodus 18:25; Joshua 22:14; 1 Chronicles 27:1-22ReciprocalLeviticus 4:22 - a ruler hath sinned; Numbers 7:2 - the princes; 10:4 - General; 30:1 - General; Joshua 4:2 - twelve men; 18:4 - three; 1 Chronicles 23:24 - after the house; Revelation 7:5 - tribe of JudaVerse 5ElizurNumbers 2:10, 7:30, 10:18; Genesis 29:32-35, 30:5-20, 35:17-26, 46:8-24, 49:1-33; Exodus 1:2-5; Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Revelation 7:4-8ReciprocalGenesis 35:22 - Now the sons; Numbers 1:17 - General; 17:2 - all their princes; 1 Chronicles 2:1 - Reuben; 5:1 - he was; Job 9:5 - which overturneth; Ezekiel 48:1 - the namesVerse 6ShelumielNumbers 2:12, 7:36ReciprocalGenesis 46:10 - Simeon; Numbers 10:19 - Simeon; Job 9:5 - which overturnethVerse 7NahshonNumbers 2:3, 7:12, 10:14; Ruth 4:18; 1 Chronicles 2:10, 2:11; Matthew 1:2-5; Luke 3:32, NaassonReciprocalGenesis 46:12 - Judah; Exodus 6:23 - Amminadab; Ruth 4:20 - Nahshon; Matthew 1:4 - NaassonVerse 8NethaneelNumbers 2:5, 7:18, 10:15ReciprocalGenesis 46:13 - IssacharVerse 9EliabNumbers 2:7, 7:24, 10:16ReciprocalGenesis 46:14 - Zebulun; Ezekiel 42:13 - the most holyVerse 10ElishamaNumbers 2:18, 7:48, 10:22; 1 Chronicles 7:26, 7:27GamalielNumbers 2:20, 7:54, 10:23ReciprocalGenesis 48:5 - are mine; Judges 1:22 - the house; 1 Chronicles 2:41 - Elishama; Ezekiel 42:13 - the most holyVerse 11AbidanNumbers 2:22, 7:60, 10:24ReciprocalGenesis 46:16 - sons of; 46:21 - the sonsVerse 12AhiezerNumbers 2:25, 7:66, 10:25ReciprocalGenesis 46:23 - DanVerse 13PagielNumbers 2:27, 7:72, 10:26ReciprocalGenesis 46:17 - AsherVerse 14EliasaphNumbers 7:42, 10:20, Son of Reuel, 2:14DeuelAs the ד, daleth is very like the ר, resh, they might be easily mistaken for each other; and hence this person being called both Deuel and Reuel, may be easily accounted for. The Septuagint and Syriac have Reuel, in this chapter; and in 2:14, the Samaritan, Vulgate, and Arabic have Deuel, instead of Reuel, with which reading a vast number of manuscripts concur, and which is also supported by 7:42, 10:20. We may therefore safely conclude, the Deuel, and not Reuel, was the original reading.ReciprocalJeremiah 11:19 - that hisVerse 15AhiraNumbers 2:29, 7:78, 10:27ReciprocalGenesis 46:24 - NaphtaliVerse 16the renownedKeruey haa?idah, literally "the called of the congregation," those who were summoned by name to attend. Numbers 2:3-31, 7:2, 7:10-83, 10:14-27, 11:17, 16:2, 26:9; Judges 6:15; 1 Chronicles 27:16-22headsNumbers 1:4; Exodus 18:21, 18:25; Deuteronomy 1:15; 1 Samuel 22:7, 23:23; Micah 5:2ReciprocalLeviticus 4:22 - a ruler hath sinnedVerse 17Numbers 1:5-15; John 10:3; Revelation 7:4-17ReciprocalLeviticus 24:16 - blasphemeth; 1 Chronicles 16:41 - expressedVerse 18their pedigreesEzra 2:59; Nehemiah 7:61; Habakkuk 3:1, 3:1 *marg.by theNumbers 1:2according1:20-54from twentyIn this census no women were reckoned, nor children, nor minors, nor strangers, nor Levites, nor old men; which, collectively, must have formed an immense multitude; the Levites alone amounted to 22,300 men.ReciprocalExodus 30:14 - from twenty; 1 Chronicles 23:24 - by their polls; 27:23 - from twenty; 2 Chronicles 17:14 - to the houseVerse 19Numbers 1:2, 26:1, 26:2; 2 Samuel 24:1-10
Verse 20Numbers 2:10, 2:11, 26:5-7; Genesis 29:32, 46:9, 49:3, 49:4; 1 Chronicles 5:1ReciprocalGenesis 35:22 - Now the sons; 46:8 - Reuben; Exodus 30:14 - from twenty; Numbers 1:18 - accordingVerse 21 ThatNumbers 26:1 in their decreasing proportion, beginning with the greatest and proceeding to the least.
Tribe
1st Census
2nd Census
Judah
74,600
76,500
Dan
62,700
64,400
Simeon
59,300
22,200
Zebulun
57,400
60,500
Issachar
54,400
64,300
Naphtali
53,400
45,400
Reuben
46,500
43,730
Gad
45,650
40,500
Asher
41,500
53,400
Ephraim
40,500
32,500
Benjamin
35,400
45,600
Manasseh
32,200
52,700
Totals
603,550
601,730
Thus we find Judah the most populous tribe, and Manasseh the least so; the difference between them being as great as 42,000. Jacob had given Judah the pre-eminence in his prophetic blessing; and that tribe was to have the precedency in the encampments of Israel: accordingly God had increased them more than any of their brethren. Ephraim and Manasseh, according to the same prophecy, were numbered as distinct tribes, Ephraim having the superiority, as it was foretold; and Joseph indeed appears "a fruitful bough." ; 2:10, 2:11, 26:7ReciprocalGenesis 46:8 - Reuben; Numbers 3:34 - GeneralVerse 22Numbers 2:12, 2:13, 26:12-14; Genesis 29:33, 34:25-30, 42:24, 46:10, 49:5, 49:6ReciprocalNumbers 1:2 - after; 26:14 - General; 1 Chronicles 23:24 - by their polls; Revelation 7:7 - SimeonVerse 23Numbers 2:13, 25:8, 25:9, 25:14, 26:14ReciprocalGenesis 46:10 - SimeonVerse 24 The ; Numbers 2:14, 2:15, 26:15-18; Genesis 30:10, 30:11, 46:16, 49:19ReciprocalNumbers 26:18 - GeneralVerse 25Numbers 2:15, 26:18ReciprocalGenesis 46:16 - sons ofVerse 26Numbers 2:3, 2:4, 26:19-22; Genesis 29:35, 46:12, 49:8-12; 2 Samuel 24:9; 1 Chronicles 5:2; 2 Chronicles 17:14-16ReciprocalNumbers 1:2 - after; 26:22 - GeneralVerse 27Numbers 2:3, 2:4, 26:22; 2 Samuel 24:9; 2 Chronicles 17:14-16ReciprocalGenesis 46:12 - Judah; 49:8 - thy handVerse 28Numbers 2:5, 2:6, 23:23-25; Genesis 30:18, 46:13, 49:14, 49:15ReciprocalNumbers 26:25 - threescoreVerse 29Numbers 2:6, 26:25Reciprocal2:5 - GeneralVerse 30Numbers 2:7, 2:8, 26:26, 26:27; Genesis 30:20, 46:14, 49:13
1:5 The princes of the tribes;
1:17 The number of every tribe;
1:47 The Levites are exempted for the service of the Lord. Verse 1wildernessNumbers 10:11, 10:12; Exodus 19:1; Leviticus 27:34 tabernacleExodus 25:22; Leviticus 1:1 on the first dayAs the tabernacle was erected on the first day of the first month, in the second year of their departure from Egypt - Exodus 40:17
and this happened on the first day of the second month, in the same year, it is evident that the transactions related in the preceding book must all have taken place in the space of one month, and during the time the Israelites were encamped at mount Sinai. Numbers 9:1, 10:11; Exodus 40:17; 1 Kings 6:1ReciprocalGenesis 17:4 - a father; 35:11 - a nation; 42:13 - Thy servants; 46:15 - Leah; Exodus 3:12 - ye shall; 12:3 - an house; Leviticus 25:1 - General; Numbers 3:1 - spake; 7:89 - he heard; 26:4 - General; 26:64 - General; Deuteronomy 23:12 - General Verse 2Take ye the sumThis numbering was probably intended to illustrate the Divine faithfulness in thus increasing the seed of Abraham; to prepare them to preserve due order in their march; and to distinguish the tribes and families. Numbers 26:2-4, 26:63, 26:64; Exodus 30:12, 38:26; 2 Samuel 24:1-3; 1 Chronicles 21:1, 21:2, 27:23, 27:24 the childrenGenesis 49:1-3; Exodus 1:1-5 afterNumbers 1:18, 1:22, 1:26-54; Exodus 6:14-19ReciprocalNumbers 1:19 - General; 1:44 - General; 1 Chronicles 23:24 - by their polls; 2 Chronicles 17:14 - to the house Verse 3twentyNumbers 14:29, 32:11; Exodus 30:14 ableNumbers 26:2; Deuteronomy 3:18, 24:5; 2 Samuel 24:9; 2 Chronicles 17:13-18, 26:11-13 by theirNumbers 33:1; Exodus 12:17ReciprocalNumbers 1:47 - General; 1 Chronicles 5:18 - that went; 23:24 - twenty; 2 Chronicles 25:5 - from twenty Verse 4Numbers 1:16, 2:3-31, 7:10-83, 10:14-27, 13:2-15, 17:3, 25:4, 25:14, 34:18-28; Exodus 18:25; Joshua 22:14; 1 Chronicles 27:1-22ReciprocalLeviticus 4:22 - a ruler hath sinned; Numbers 7:2 - the princes; 10:4 - General; 30:1 - General; Joshua 4:2 - twelve men; 18:4 - three; 1 Chronicles 23:24 - after the house; Revelation 7:5 - tribe of Juda Verse 5ElizurNumbers 2:10, 7:30, 10:18; Genesis 29:32-35, 30:5-20, 35:17-26, 46:8-24, 49:1-33; Exodus 1:2-5; Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Revelation 7:4-8ReciprocalGenesis 35:22 - Now the sons; Numbers 1:17 - General; 17:2 - all their princes; 1 Chronicles 2:1 - Reuben; 5:1 - he was; Job 9:5 - which overturneth; Ezekiel 48:1 - the names Verse 6ShelumielNumbers 2:12, 7:36ReciprocalGenesis 46:10 - Simeon; Numbers 10:19 - Simeon; Job 9:5 - which overturneth Verse 7NahshonNumbers 2:3, 7:12, 10:14; Ruth 4:18; 1 Chronicles 2:10, 2:11; Matthew 1:2-5; Luke 3:32, NaassonReciprocalGenesis 46:12 - Judah; Exodus 6:23 - Amminadab; Ruth 4:20 - Nahshon; Matthew 1:4 - Naasson Verse 8NethaneelNumbers 2:5, 7:18, 10:15ReciprocalGenesis 46:13 - Issachar Verse 9EliabNumbers 2:7, 7:24, 10:16ReciprocalGenesis 46:14 - Zebulun; Ezekiel 42:13 - the most holy Verse 10ElishamaNumbers 2:18, 7:48, 10:22; 1 Chronicles 7:26, 7:27 GamalielNumbers 2:20, 7:54, 10:23ReciprocalGenesis 48:5 - are mine; Judges 1:22 - the house; 1 Chronicles 2:41 - Elishama; Ezekiel 42:13 - the most holy Verse 11AbidanNumbers 2:22, 7:60, 10:24ReciprocalGenesis 46:16 - sons of; 46:21 - the sons Verse 12AhiezerNumbers 2:25, 7:66, 10:25ReciprocalGenesis 46:23 - Dan Verse 13PagielNumbers 2:27, 7:72, 10:26ReciprocalGenesis 46:17 - Asher Verse 14EliasaphNumbers 7:42, 10:20, Son of Reuel, 2:14 DeuelAs the
Verse 20Numbers 2:10, 2:11, 26:5-7; Genesis 29:32, 46:9, 49:3, 49:4; 1 Chronicles 5:1ReciprocalGenesis 35:22 - Now the sons; 46:8 - Reuben; Exodus 30:14 - from twenty; Numbers 1:18 - according Verse 21 ThatNumbers 26:1
in their decreasing proportion, beginning with the greatest and proceeding to the least.
Tribe
1st Census
2nd Census
Judah
74,600
76,500
Dan
62,700
64,400
Simeon
59,300
22,200
Zebulun
57,400
60,500
Issachar
54,400
64,300
Naphtali
53,400
45,400
Reuben
46,500
43,730
Gad
45,650
40,500
Asher
41,500
53,400
Ephraim
40,500
32,500
Benjamin
35,400
45,600
Manasseh
32,200
52,700
Totals
603,550
601,730
Thus we find Judah the most populous tribe, and Manasseh the least so; the difference between them being as great as 42,000. Jacob had given Judah the pre-eminence in his prophetic blessing; and that tribe was to have the precedency in the encampments of Israel: accordingly God had increased them more than any of their brethren. Ephraim and Manasseh, according to the same prophecy, were numbered as distinct tribes, Ephraim having the superiority, as it was foretold; and Joseph indeed appears "a fruitful bough."
; 2:10, 2:11, 26:7ReciprocalGenesis 46:8 - Reuben; Numbers 3:34 - General Verse 22Numbers 2:12, 2:13, 26:12-14; Genesis 29:33, 34:25-30, 42:24, 46:10, 49:5, 49:6ReciprocalNumbers 1:2 - after; 26:14 - General; 1 Chronicles 23:24 - by their polls; Revelation 7:7 - Simeon Verse 23Numbers 2:13, 25:8, 25:9, 25:14, 26:14ReciprocalGenesis 46:10 - Simeon Verse 24 The
; Numbers 2:14, 2:15, 26:15-18; Genesis 30:10, 30:11, 46:16, 49:19ReciprocalNumbers 26:18 - General Verse 25Numbers 2:15, 26:18ReciprocalGenesis 46:16 - sons of Verse 26Numbers 2:3, 2:4, 26:19-22; Genesis 29:35, 46:12, 49:8-12; 2 Samuel 24:9; 1 Chronicles 5:2; 2 Chronicles 17:14-16ReciprocalNumbers 1:2 - after; 26:22 - General Verse 27Numbers 2:3, 2:4, 26:22; 2 Samuel 24:9; 2 Chronicles 17:14-16ReciprocalGenesis 46:12 - Judah; 49:8 - thy hand Verse 28Numbers 2:5, 2:6, 23:23-25; Genesis 30:18, 46:13, 49:14, 49:15ReciprocalNumbers 26:25 - threescore Verse 29Numbers 2:6, 26:25Reciprocal2:5 - General Verse 30Numbers 2:7, 2:8, 26:26, 26:27; Genesis 30:20, 46:14, 49:13
Verse 31Numbers 2:8, 26:27ReciprocalGenesis 46:14 - Zebulun; Numbers 2:7 - General Verse 32Numbers 2:18, 2:19, 26:35-37; Genesis 30:24, 37:1-36, 39:1-23, 46:20, 48:1-22; 49:22-26; Deuteronomy 33:17ReciprocalGenesis 48:5 - are mine; Numbers 26:37 - General; Judges 1:22 - the house Verse 33the tribeGenesis 48:5; Deuteronomy 33:17 were fortyNumbers 2:19, 26:37ReciprocalGenesis 48:19 - I know it Verse 34ManassehNumbers 26:34; Genesis 41:51, 46:20, 48:1, 50:23; Deuteronomy 33:17; Joshua 4:12, 17:1; 1 Chronicles 7:14; Revelation 7:6
Verse 35Numbers 2:21, 26:34; Genesis 48:19, 48:20
Verse 36Genesis 35:16-18, 44:20, 46:21, 49:27Reciprocal46:19 - Joseph; Numbers 26:41 - General Verse 37Numbers 2:23, 26:41; Judges 20:44-46; 2 Chronicles 17:17ReciprocalGenesis 46:19 - Joseph; 46:21 - the sons Verse 38Genesis 30:5, 30:6, 46:23, 49:16, 49:17ReciprocalNumbers 26:43 - General Verse 39Numbers 2:26, 26:43ReciprocalGenesis 46:23 - Dan Verse 40Genesis 30:12, 30:13, 46:27, 49:20Reciprocal46:17 - Asher; Numbers 26:47 - General; 2 Samuel 2:9 - Ashurites; 1 Chronicles 2:2 - Asher Verse 41Numbers 2:28, 26:47ReciprocalGenesis 46:17 - Asher; 1 Chronicles 2:2 - Asher Verse 42NaphtaliGenesis 30:7, 30:8, 46:24, 49:21
Respecting the manner in which this vast multitude sprang from 75 persons, Scheuchzer has some valuable calculations, with the results of which we present the reader:
1st
Gen
2nd
Gen
3rd
Gen
4th
Gen
Totals
- 3 and 4
Judah
25
238
3,865
70,735
74,600
Dan
11
132
2,508
60,192
62,700
Simeon
39
359
3,953
55,347
59,300
Zebulun
20
143
2,296
55,104
57,400
Issachar
27
251
3,022
51,378
54,400
Naphtali
26
296
3,560
49,840
53,400
Reuben
31
215
2,583
43,917
46,500
Gad
67
475
3,804
41,846
45,650
Asher
39
310
3,192
38,308
41,500
Ephraim
16
160
1,928
38,572
40,500
Benjamin
98
885
4,425
30,975
35,400
Manasseh
10
134
1,610
30,590
32,200
Levi
8
96
1,240
21,060
22,300
Verse 45ReciprocalNumbers 14:29 - all that were Verse 46 What
; Numbers 2:32, 23:10, 26:51; Genesis 12:2, 13:16, 15:5, 17:6, 22:17, 26:3, 28:14; 46:3, 46:4; Exodus 12:37, 38:26; Deuteronomy 10:22; 1 Kings 4:20; 2 Samuel 24:9; 1 Chronicles 21:5; 2 Chronicles 13:3, 17:14-19; Habakkuk 3:1, 3:1; Revelation 7:4-9ReciprocalGenesis 48:16 - grow into; Numbers 11:21 - General; Deuteronomy 1:10 - your God; Judges 20:17 - four hundred Verse 47Numbers 1:3, 1:50, 2:33, 3:1-51, 4:1-49, 8:1-26, 26:57-62; 1 Chronicles 6:1-81, 21:6ReciprocalDeuteronomy 10:8 - time the Lord Verse 49Numbers 2:33, 26:62Reciprocal3:6 - General; 8:11 - they may execute Verse 50thou shaltNumbers 3:1-10, 4:15, 4:25-33; Exodus 31:18, 32:26-29, 38:21; 1 Chronicles 23:1-32; 25:1-26:32; Ezra 8:25-30, 8:33, 8:34; Nehemiah 12:8, 12:22, 12:47, 13:5, 13:10-13, 13:22 the tabernacleNumbers 1:53, 20:11; Exodus 31:18, 38:21; Psalm 122:4 shall encampNumbers 2:17, 3:23-38, 10:21ReciprocalExodus 16:34 - General; 37:5 - General; 40:33 - up the court; Numbers 1:47 - General; 2:2 - about the; 3:7 - to do the; 2 Chronicles 24:6 - tabernacle; Acts 7:44 - the tabernacle; Revelation 15:5 - General Verse 51the LevitesNumbers 4:5-33, 10:11, 10:17-21 the stranger3:10, 3:38, 16:40, 18:22; Leviticus 22:10-13; 1 Samuel 6:19; 2 Samuel 6:7ReciprocalExodus 29:33 - a stranger; Numbers 10:21 - the other did; 17:13 - Whosoever; 18:4 - a stranger; 1 Kings 13:33 - whosoever Verse 52Numbers 2:2, 2:34, 10:1-36, 24:2Reciprocal9:19 - kept the; 18:22 - come nigh Verse 53shall pitchNumbers 1:50, 3:7, 18:3; 1 Timothy 4:13-16; 2 Timothy 4:2 there beNumbers 8:19, 16:46, 18:5; Leviticus 10:6; 1 Samuel 6:19; Jeremiah 5:31, 23:15; Acts 20:28-31 and theNumbers 3:7, 3:8, 8:24-26, 18:3-5, 31:30, 31:47; 1 Chronicles 23:32; 2 Chronicles 13:10ReciprocalExodus 16:34 - General; 38:21 - tabernacle of testimony; Numbers 2:2 - about the; 3:23 - General; 3:29 - General; 3:35 - shall; 3:38 - toward; 8:26 - to keep; 9:19 - kept the; 16:9 - separated; Revelation 15:5 - General Verse 54Numbers 2:34; Exodus 23:21, 23:22, 39:32, 39:43, 40:16, 40:32; Deuteronomy 12:32; 1 Samuel 15:22; Matthew 28:20ReciprocalNumbers 4:49 - According to the; 9:22 - abode