1 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
2 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;
3 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.
4 And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.
5 And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.
6 Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
7 Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
8 Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
9 Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon.
10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
11 Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.
12 Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
13 Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran.
14 Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
15 Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan.
16 These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.
17 And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names:
18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.
19 As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.
20 And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
21 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
22 Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
23 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
24 Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
25 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.
26 Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
27 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
28 Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
29 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.
30 Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
31 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
32 Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
33 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred.
34 Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
35 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.
36 Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
37 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.
38 Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
39 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.
40 Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
41 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.
42 Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
43 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
44 These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers.
45 So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel;
46 Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.
48 For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying,
49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:
50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
52 And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts.
53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
54 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
The Book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Old Testament in the KJV Holy Bible. It is a continuation of the story of the Israelites, who have been wandering in the desert for almost 40 years after their exodus from Egypt. The book gets its name from the two censuses recorded in it, one at the beginning and one at the end. The first census was taken in the first month of the second year after the Israelites left Egypt, and it serves as the starting point for the events that unfold in the book. Chapter 1 of the Book of Numbers begins with God commanding Moses to take a census of all the men over the age of 20 who are able to go to war. This chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book, introducing important themes and highlighting the significance of obedience to God's instructions.
The first and most obvious theme of Chapter 1 is the census that God commands Moses to take. The purpose of the census was to determine the number of able-bodied men who could go to war. This was important because the Israelites were about to embark on their journey to the Promised Land, and they would need a strong army to conquer the land and defend themselves against any enemies they may encounter along the way. The census also served as a way to organize the tribes and to establish the order of their camps as they traveled through the desert. This census was not just for practical reasons, but it also had spiritual significance. By counting the people, God was reaffirming His promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:5). It was a reminder of God's faithfulness and His plan for the Israelites.
The census also served as a reminder to the Israelites that they were a chosen and special people. God had delivered them from slavery in Egypt and was leading them to their promised land. By counting them and organizing them into their tribes, God was showing that He had a specific purpose for each tribe and that they were all part of a greater plan. This census was a way for the Israelites to see themselves as a unified nation, rather than just a group of individuals wandering in the desert.
Another important theme in Chapter 1 is obedience. God gives Moses specific instructions on how the census should be conducted, and Moses follows them precisely. This shows the importance of obedience to God's commands. The Israelites had already experienced the consequences of disobedience when they worshiped the golden calf at Mount Sinai (Exodus 32). This census was a way for them to demonstrate their obedience and faith in God.
The Levites, who were set apart as priests, were not included in the census. This was because they had a special role in the community and did not go to war like the other tribes. The Levites were responsible for the tabernacle and all its sacred items, and they were to be the spiritual leaders of the community. By excluding them from the census, God was emphasizing the importance of their role and their obedience to His commands.
The tribe of Levi is also highlighted in Chapter 1. This tribe was set apart by God to serve Him and the rest of the community. They were not given their own portion of land like the other tribes, but instead, they were scattered throughout the other tribes to serve as priests, teachers, and judges. In this way, they were able to spread God's teachings and laws to the rest of the community. The Levites were also responsible for the care and transportation of the tabernacle and all its sacred items. This was a crucial role, as the tabernacle was the place where God's presence resided among the Israelites. The Levites were also given specific duties during the Israelites' journey through the desert, such as setting up and taking down the tabernacle when they camped and when they traveled. This shows the importance of the Levites in the community and their obedience to God's instructions.
Chapter 1 also highlights the journey of the Israelites through the desert. The census is taken in the wilderness of Sinai, where the Israelites have been camped for almost a year. From this point on, the Israelites will begin their journey towards the Promised Land. The census serves as a starting point for their journey, and it is a reminder that God is with them every step of the way.
The Israelites' journey through the desert was not an easy one. They faced many challenges, including hunger, thirst, and attacks from other nations. This journey was a test of their faith and obedience to God. The census in Chapter 1 serves as a reminder that God is with them and that He will provide for them and protect them as they journey towards their promised land.
In addition to highlighting the importance of the community and the tribe, Chapter 1 also emphasizes the individual identities of the Israelites. Each man is counted by name and according to his tribe and family. This shows that each person is important and has a unique role to play in the community. The census also serves as a way to acknowledge and honor the individual identities of the Israelites, rather than just seeing them as a mass of people. This is a reminder that every individual is valued and has a part to play in God's plan.
Chapter 1 of the Book of Numbers serves as an introduction to the rest of the book. It sets the stage for the Israelites' journey through the desert and their eventual arrival at the Promised Land. The census taken in this chapter is significant in many ways. It serves as a reminder of God's promise to Abraham and His faithfulness to His people. The census also highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the role of the Levites in the community. It also emphasizes the individual identities of the Israelites and their importance in God's plan.
This chapter also serves as a reminder that God is with the Israelites every step of the way. He is guiding them, providing for them, and protecting them as they journey towards their promised land. This is a message of hope and encouragement for the Israelites and for all believers. It reminds us that no matter what challenges we may face, God is with us and will never abandon us.
Furthermore, Chapter 1 teaches us the importance of community and individual identity. The Israelites are counted as a community, but they are also recognized as individuals with unique roles and identities. This reminds us that we are all part of a greater plan and that we each have an important role to play in God's kingdom. It also emphasizes the value and worth of each individual in the eyes of God.
In conclusion, Chapter 1 of the Book of Numbers is a significant chapter that sets the stage for the rest of the book and highlights important themes such as the census, obedience, the role of the Levites, the journey of the Israelites, and the importance of individual identity. It serves as a reminder of God's promises, His faithfulness, and His presence in our lives. This chapter has a message of hope, encouragement, and unity, and it teaches us the importance of obedience and individual identity in our relationship with God.
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