Numbers 1

A Census of Israel's Warriors

1 The Lord spoke to Moses a in the wilderness of Sinai, b in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 c "Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, d by fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head. 3 e From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war, you and Aaron shall list them, f company by company. 4 And there shall be with you a man from each tribe, each man being the head of the house of his fathers. 5 And these are the names of the men who shall assist you. From Reuben, g Elizur the son of Shedeur; 6 from Simeon, h Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai; 7 from Judah, i Nahshon the son of Amminadab; 8 from Issachar, j Nethanel the son of Zuar; 9 from Zebulun, k Eliab the son of Helon; 10 from the sons of Joseph, from Ephraim, l Elishama the son of Ammihud, and from Manasseh, m Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur; 11 from Benjamin, n Abidan the son of Gideoni; 12 from Dan, o Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai; 13 from Asher, p Pagiel the son of Ochran; 14 from Gad, Eliasaph the son of q Deuel; 15 from Naphtali, r Ahira the son of Enan." 16 These were the ones s chosen from the congregation, t the chiefs of their ancestral tribes, the heads of the clans of Israel.

17 Moses and Aaron took these men u who had been named, 18 and on the first day of the second month, they assembled the whole congregation together, who registered themselves by clans, by fathers' houses, according to the number of names from twenty years old and upward, head by head, 19 as the Lord commanded Moses. So he listed them in the wilderness of Sinai.

20 The people of v Reuben, Israel's firstborn, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, head by head, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go to war: 21 those listed of the tribe of Reuben were w 46,500.

22 Of the people of Simeon, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, those of them who were listed, according to the number of names, head by head, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go to war: 23 those listed of the tribe of Simeon were x 59,300.

24 Of the people of Gad, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go to war: 25 those listed of the tribe of Gad were y 45,650.

26 Of the people of Judah, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: 27 those listed of the tribe of Judah were z 74,600.

28 Of the people of Issachar, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: 29 those listed of the tribe of Issachar were a 54,400.

30 Of the people of Zebulun, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: 31 those listed of the tribe of Zebulun were b 57,400.

32 Of the people of Joseph, namely, of the people of Ephraim, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: 33 those listed of the tribe of Ephraim were c 40,500.

34 Of the people of Manasseh, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: 35 those listed of the tribe of Manasseh were d 32,200.

36 Of the people of Benjamin, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: 37 those listed of the tribe of Benjamin were e 35,400.

38 Of the people of Dan, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: 39 those listed of the tribe of Dan were f 62,700.

40 Of the people of Asher, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: 41 those listed of the tribe of Asher were g 41,500.

42 Of the people of Naphtali, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: 43 those listed of the tribe of Naphtali were h 53,400.

44 i These are those who were listed, whom Moses and Aaron listed with the help of the chiefs of Israel, twelve men, each representing his fathers' house. 45 So all those listed of the people of Israel, by their fathers' houses, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war in Israel - 46 all those listed were j 603,550.

Levites Exempted

47 But k the Levites were not listed along with them by their ancestral tribe. 48 For the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 49 "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not list, and you shall not take a census of them among the people of Israel. 50 l But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it m and shall camp around the tabernacle. 51 n When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up. o And if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death. 52 The people of Israel shall pitch their tents by their companies, each man in his own camp and p each man by his own standard. 53 But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no q wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. r And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony." 54 Thus did the people of Israel; they did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses.

  1. Cross References
    Numbers 10:11 - 12
    In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony.
    Exodus 19:1
    On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
  2. Cross References
    Exodus 25:22
    There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.
  3. Cross References
    Exodus 30:12
    When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the Lord when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them.
    Exodus 38:26
    A beka a head (that is, half a shekel, by the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone who was listed in the records, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men.
    2 Samuel 24:2
    So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army, who was with him, "Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.
    1 Chronicles 21:2
    So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, "Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.
    Numbers 26:2 - 51
    "Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' houses, all in Israel who are able to go to war."
  4. Cross References
    Numbers 1:18
    And on the first day of the second month, they ...
    Numbers 1:20
    The people of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, their...
    Numbers 1:22
    Of the people of Simeon, their generations, by ...
    Numbers 3:47
    You shall take five shekels per head; you shall...
    1 Chronicles 23:3
    The Levites, thirty years old and upward, were ...
    1 Chronicles 23:24
    These were the sons of Levi by their fathers' h...
  5. Cross References
    Numbers 14:29
    Your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me.
    Exodus 30:14
    Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the Lord 's offering.
  6. Cross References
    Exodus 12:51
    And on that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts.
  7. Cross References
    Numbers 7:30
    On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, the chief of the people of Reuben:
  8. Cross References
    Numbers 7:36
    On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, the chief of the people of Simeon:
  9. Cross References
    Exodus 6:23
    Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  10. Cross References
    Numbers 7:18
    On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, the chief of Issachar, made an offering.
  11. Cross References
    Numbers 7:24
    On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, the chief of the people of Zebulun:
  12. Cross References
    Numbers 7:48
    On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, the chief of the people of Ephraim:
    1 Chronicles 7:26
    Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son.
  13. Cross References
    Numbers 7:54
    On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, the chief of the people of Manasseh:
  14. Cross References
    Numbers 7:60
    On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, the chief of the people of Benjamin:
  15. Cross References
    Numbers 7:66
    On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, the chief of the people of Dan:
  16. Cross References
    Numbers 7:72
    On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ochran, the chief of the people of Asher:
  17. Cross References
    Numbers 7:42
    On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, the chief of the people of Gad:
  18. Cross References
    Numbers 7:78
    On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, the chief of the people of Naphtali:
  19. Cross References
    Numbers 26:9
    The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram, chosen from the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the Lord
  20. Cross References
    Numbers 7:2
    The chiefs of Israel, heads of their fathers' houses, who were the chiefs of the tribes, who were over those who were listed, approached
    Exodus 18:21
    Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
    Exodus 18:25
    Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
    1 Chronicles 27:16 - 22
    Over the tribes of Israel, for the Reubenites, Eliezer the son of Zichri was chief officer; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah.
  21. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 12:31
    Of the half-tribe of Manasseh 18,000, who were expressly named to come and make David king.
    1 Chronicles 16:41
    With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and expressly named to give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.
    2 Chronicles 28:15
    And the men who have been mentioned by name rose and took the captives, and with the spoil they clothed all who were naked among them. They clothed them, gave them sandals, provided them with food and drink, and anointed them, and carrying all the feeble among them on donkeys, they brought them to their kinsfolk at Jericho, the city of palm trees. Then they returned to Samaria.
    2 Chronicles 31:19
    And for the sons of Aaron, the priests, who were in the fields of common land belonging to their cities, there were men in the several cities who were designated by name to distribute portions to every male among the priests and to everyone among the Levites who was enrolled.
    Ezra 8:20
    Besides 220 of the temple servants, whom David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites. These were all mentioned by name.
  22. Cross References
    Numbers 1:20 - 46
    The people of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, head by head, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go to war:
    Numbers 2:3 - 32
    Those to camp on the east side toward the sunrise shall be of the standard of the camp of Judah by their companies, the chief of the people of Judah being Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
  23. Cross References
    Numbers 26:7
    These are the clans of the Reubenites, and those listed were 43,730.
  24. Cross References
    Numbers 26:14
    These are the clans of the Simeonites, 22,200.
  25. Cross References
    Numbers 26:18
    These are the clans of the sons of Gad as they were listed, 40,500.
  26. Cross References
    Numbers 26:22
    These are the clans of Judah as they were listed, 76,500.
    2 Samuel 24:9
    And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to the king: in Israel there were 800,000 valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were 500,000.
  27. Cross References
    Numbers 26:25
    These are the clans of Issachar as they were listed, 64,300.
  28. Cross References
    Numbers 26:27
    These are the clans of the Zebulunites as they were listed, 60,500.
  29. Cross References
    Numbers 26:37
    These are the clans of the sons of Ephraim as they were listed, 32,500. These are the sons of Joseph according to their clans.
  30. Cross References
    Numbers 26:34
    These are the clans of Manasseh, and those listed were 52,700.
  31. Cross References
    Numbers 26:41
    These are the sons of Benjamin according to their clans, and those listed were 45,600.
  32. Cross References
    Numbers 26:43
    All the clans of the Shuhamites, as they were listed, were 64,400.
  33. Cross References
    Numbers 26:47
    These are the clans of the sons of Asher as they were listed, 53,400.
  34. Cross References
    Numbers 26:50
    These are the clans of Naphtali according to their clans, and those listed were 45,400.
  35. Cross References
    Numbers 26:64
    But among these there was not one of those listed by Moses and Aaron the priest, who had listed the people of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.
  36. Cross References
    Exodus 38:26
    A beka a head (that is, half a shekel, by the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone who was listed in the records, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men.
    Numbers 11:21
    But Moses said, "The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, 'I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!
    Numbers 26:51
    This was the list of the people of Israel, 601,730.
    Exodus 12:37
    And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.
  37. Cross References
    Numbers 2:33
    But the Levites were not listed among the peopl...
    Numbers 26:57 - 58
    This was the list of the Levites according to t...
    Numbers 26:62
    And those listed were 23,000, every male from a...
    Numbers 3:1
    These are the generations of Aaron and Moses at...
    Numbers 4:1
    The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying.
    1 Chronicles 6:1
    The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
  38. Cross References
    Numbers 3:7 - 8
    They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle.
    Exodus 38:21
    These are the records of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were recorded at the commandment of Moses, the responsibility of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
    Numbers 4:15 - 33
    And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry.
  39. Cross References
    Numbers 3:23 - 38
    The clans of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle on the west.
  40. Cross References
    Numbers 10:17
    And when the tabernacle was taken down, the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who carried the tabernacle, set out.
    Numbers 10:21
    Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things, and the tabernacle was set up before their arrival.
  41. Cross References
    Numbers 3:10
    And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and t...
    Numbers 3:38
    Those who were to camp before the tabernacle on...
    Numbers 18:22
    So that the people of Israel do not come near t...
    1 Samuel 6:19
    And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, ...
    2 Samuel 6:6 - 7
    And when they came to the threshing floor of Na...
    1 Chronicles 13:10
    And the anger of the Lord was kindled against U...
  42. Cross References
    Numbers 2:2
    The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers' houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.
    Numbers 2:34
    Thus did the people of Israel. According to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so they camped by their standards, and so they set out, each one in his clan, according to his fathers' house.
  43. Cross References
    Numbers 8:19
    And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the people of Israel, to do the service for the people of Israel at the tent of meeting and to make atonement for the people of Israel, that there may be no plague among the people of Israel when the people of Israel come near the sanctuary.
    Numbers 16:46
    And Moses said to Aaron, "Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the Lord ; the plague has begun.
    Numbers 18:5
    And you shall keep guard over the sanctuary and over the altar, that there may never again be wrath on the people of Israel.
  44. Cross References
    Numbers 3:7 - 8
    They shall keep guard over him and over the who...
    Numbers 3:38
    Those who were to camp before the tabernacle on...
    Numbers 8:26
    They minister to their brothers in the tent of ...
    Numbers 9:19
    Even when the cloud continued over the tabernac...
    Numbers 9:23
    At the command of the Lord they camped, and at ...
    Numbers 18:3 - 5
    They shall keep guard over you and over the who...
    Numbers 31:30
    And from the people of Israel's half you shall ...
    Numbers 31:47
    From the people of Israel's half Moses took one...
    1 Chronicles 23:32
    Thus they were to keep charge of the tent of me...
    2 Chronicles 13:11
    They offer to the Lord every morning and every ...
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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