Numbers 1:39

KJV

Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Dan, [were] threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.

KJV (with Strong's)

Those that were numbered {H6485} of them, even of the tribe {H4294} of Dan {H1835}, were threescore {H8346} and two {H8147} thousand {H505} and seven {H7651} hundred {H3967}.

Berean Standard Bible

those registered to the tribe of Dan numbered 62,700.

American Standard Version

those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 1:39 meticulously records the count of eligible fighting men from the tribe of Dan during the first divinely commanded census of Israel. Conducted at Mount Sinai, this enumeration was a precise accounting of all males aged twenty years and upward, preparing the Israelite nation for its journey through the wilderness and the impending conquest of the Promised Land. This verse, therefore, highlights God's profound attention to detail, His divine order, and His active oversight in organizing His covenant people for their sacred mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 1:39 is an integral part of the comprehensive census detailed in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel"). This chapter systematically lists the number of men "able to go to war" from each of the twelve tribes, following a consistent, formulaic pattern. The preceding verses, such as [Numbers 1:38](/numbers/1-38 "Numbers 1:38 - Naphtali's Census Count"), establish this pattern, providing the count for Naphtali immediately before Dan. The subsequent verses, including [Numbers 1:40-41](/numbers/1-40-41 "Numbers 1:40-41 - Asher's Census Count"), continue this enumeration for the remaining tribes, culminating in the grand total for all Israel in [Numbers 1:46](/numbers/1-46 "Numbers 1:46 - Total Count of Israel's Fighting Men"). This repetitive structure not only emphasizes the thoroughness and divine authority behind the census but also underscores the organized and unified nature of the nascent nation as it prepared for its wilderness journey and future conquest.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The census documented in Numbers 1 took place "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" ([Numbers 1:1](/numbers/1-1 "Numbers 1:1 - Setting the Scene for the Census")). This specific timing is crucial, marking a significant transition point after the miraculous Exodus and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, but prior to the Israelites' departure towards the Promised Land. Censuses were a common practice in the ancient Near East, often conducted for military conscription, taxation, or resource management. For Israel, however, this census served a unique, divinely ordained purpose: to assess military readiness for the conquest of Canaan, to organize the vast multitude for orderly encampment and marching, and most profoundly, to demonstrate God's unwavering faithfulness in multiplying Abraham's descendants, thereby fulfilling the covenant promise made in [Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Promise to Multiply Abraham's Seed"). The tribe of Dan, with its substantial count of 62,700, was one of the larger tribes, reflecting its considerable demographic strength and its designated position in the northern division of the camp.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 1:39, embedded within the census narrative, contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. A primary theme is **Divine Order and Preparation**, showcasing God's meticulous nature and His desire for structure and readiness among His people. The precise counting and organization of the tribes demonstrate that God is not a God of chaos but of purposeful arrangement, equipping Israel for the tasks ahead. Another significant theme is **Covenant Faithfulness**, as the large numbers of the tribes, including Dan, serve as tangible evidence of God fulfilling His promise to Abraham to multiply his seed into a great nation ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Furthermore, the census highlights the theme of **God's Knowledge and Ownership of His People**, emphasizing that each individual and tribe is known, valued, and purposed by the Lord. This detailed enumeration sets the stage for the subsequent narratives of wilderness wanderings, rebellion, and divine provision, all within the framework of God's sovereign plan for His chosen nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** The Hebrew verb H6485, _pâqad_, is more profound than a simple tallying. While it certainly encompasses the act of counting or mustering, its semantic range also includes "to visit," "to oversee," "to appoint," "to charge," or "to care for." In the context of this divine census, it implies that the enumeration was not merely a human administrative task but an act divinely initiated and meticulously overseen by God. It signifies God's active engagement with His people, knowing each individual and organizing them for His specific purposes. This "numbering" is an act of divine attention, preparation, and sovereign appointment.
* **Tribe (Hebrew, _maṭṭeh'_):** The Hebrew word H4294, _maṭṭeh_, literally means "a branch" or "a rod," but figuratively, as used here, it signifies a "tribe." This connection between a branch and a tribe is evocative, suggesting the organic growth and extension of a family into a larger, distinct social and political unit. Each tribe was a distinct "branch" of the larger Israelite "tree," possessing its own identity, leadership, and designated place within the national structure. The enumeration of each _maṭṭeh_ underscores the importance of tribal identity and the orderly division of the Israelite nation.
* **Dan (Hebrew, _Dân'_):** The name H1835, _Dân_, meaning "judge" or "he has judged," refers to one of Jacob's sons and, subsequently, the powerful tribe descended from him. In the context of Numbers 1, Dan's significant numerical strength (62,700) positioned it as one of the largest tribes. Historically, the tribe of Dan would play a notable role in Israel, though sometimes marked by challenges, including the famous judge Samson ([Judges 13](/judges/13 "Judges 13 - Birth of Samson")-[16](/judges/16 "Judges 16 - Samson's Death")) and the later establishment of idolatry in the northern kingdom ([Judges 18](/judges/18 "Judges 18 - Dan's Migration and Idolatry")). In this initial census, Dan is placed at the head of the northern camp division, alongside Asher and Naphtali, indicating its strategic importance and leadership role in the wilderness journey and military formation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Those that were numbered of them":** This opening phrase establishes the subject of the verse, referring to the men who met the specific criteria outlined earlier in the chapter. These were males aged twenty years and upward, deemed "able to go forth to war in Israel" ([Numbers 1:3](/numbers/1-3 "Numbers 1:3 - The Census Criteria")). This highlights that the census was primarily for military and organizational purposes, assessing the nation's strength and readiness for the challenges of the wilderness and the impending conquest of Canaan.
* **"[even] of the tribe of Dan":** This clause precisely identifies the particular tribal unit whose count is being reported. The systematic enumeration of each of the twelve tribes throughout Numbers 1 emphasizes the distinct identity and contribution of each tribal "branch" to the overall national body. The KJV's inclusion of "even" serves to emphasize the specific focus on Dan, distinguishing its count within the larger national census.
* **"[were] threescore and two thousand and seven hundred":** This provides the exact numerical result for the tribe of Dan, stating that 62,700 men from this tribe were counted. This large and precise figure underscores Dan's considerable demographic and military strength at the time of this first census. The meticulousness of the number, down to the hundreds, reflects the divine precision and order that governed the entire census, demonstrating God's attention to every detail in the organization and deployment of His covenant people.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 1:39, consistent with the entire census account in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel"), employs several literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. **Repetition** and **formulaic language** are prominent, as the precise phrasing "those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of [name], [were] [number]" is reiterated for each tribe. This creates a rhythmic, authoritative tone, emphasizing the systematic and divinely ordered nature of the census. The consistent structure reinforces the idea of divine meticulousness and the orderly arrangement of God's people. **Numerical precision** is another key device; the exact figures, down to the hundreds, are not merely statistical data but convey a profound sense of divine accuracy, comprehensive knowledge, and sovereign control. This precision highlights God's dominion over every individual and every group within Israel. Furthermore, the entire census functions as a powerful **literary motif** of preparation and divine organization, setting the stage for the Israelites' arduous journey and the challenges they would face, underscoring that God equips His people for the tasks He calls them to.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 1:39, as an integral part of the broader census narrative, powerfully illustrates several core theological truths. It underscores God's meticulous nature and His divine order, demonstrating that He is not a God of chaos but of precise arrangement and intentional preparation. The census reveals God's active involvement in the lives of His people, knowing them intimately and organizing them for His purposes. Furthermore, the sheer numbers, including Dan's significant count, serve as a testament to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness, fulfilling His ancient promise to Abraham to multiply his descendants into a great nation. Each tribe, with its distinct identity and numerical strength, contributes to the corporate identity and unified purpose of Israel, highlighting that every part of God's people has value and a crucial role within the larger whole, all under God's sovereign oversight.

* [Numbers 26:42-43](/numbers/26-42-43 "Numbers 26:42-43 - Dan's Count in the Second Census")
* [Exodus 30:11-16](/exodus/30-11-16 "Exodus 30:11-16 - The Census Tax")
* [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 1:39, though a seemingly simple statistical record, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our God is a God of order, precision, and purposeful intent. Just as He meticulously organized ancient Israel for their journey and mission, He continues to work with intentionality in our individual lives and in the collective life of the Church. This verse encourages us to embrace divine order, understanding that structure, discipline, and preparation are not hindrances but vital facilitators for fulfilling God's will. It also profoundly emphasizes the intrinsic value of every individual within the community of faith; just as Dan's 62,700 men were vital to Israel's strength and mission, every believer contributes uniquely and indispensably to the body of Christ. Our individual gifts, talents, and callings are known, counted, and purposed by God for the collective mission. We are called to be prepared—spiritually, mentally, and practically—for the challenges and opportunities God places before us, trusting that He has equipped us for every good work and that our lives are part of His grand, meticulously planned narrative.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of God, as seen in this census, encourage or challenge your view of His involvement in your own life and the details of your circumstances?**
* **In what specific ways might God be calling you or your community to greater order, discipline, and preparation for His purposes today?**
* **How does understanding your individual "number" or unique contribution within the body of Christ motivate you to faithfully serve and embrace your role?**

### FAQ
**Why was this census, including the count for Dan, so important to God and to Israel?**

Answer: The census was supremely important for several interconnected reasons, all rooted in God's divine plan for Israel. First, it was for **military preparedness**, identifying all men "twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel" ([Numbers 1:3](/numbers/1-3 "Numbers 1:3 - Purpose of the Census")) as Israel was poised to embark on a journey that would culminate in the conquest of Canaan. This was a strategic mustering of forces. Second, it was crucial for **organizational structure**, enabling the orderly arrangement of the vast Israelite camp, their marching order, and the assignment of responsibilities, particularly for the Levites who were counted separately for their sacred duties ([Numbers 1:47-53](/numbers/1-47-53 "Numbers 1:47-53 - The Levites' Special Role")). Third, it served as a powerful demonstration of **God's covenant faithfulness**, showing the miraculous multiplication of Abraham's descendants, thereby fulfilling His ancient promises to make them a great nation ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Finally, it underscored God's **meticulous nature** and His desire for order and precision in the lives of His people, reflecting His sovereignty over every detail of their existence and mission.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 1:39 details a historical census of ancient Israel, its underlying principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. The meticulous numbering of God's people, prepared for a journey and a spiritual inheritance, foreshadows the Church, the spiritual Israel, meticulously known and prepared by God for His eternal purposes. Just as every man of Israel was counted and had a designated place in the camp, so too does every believer in Christ have a unique and valued place in the body of Christ, known intimately by the Good Shepherd who calls His own sheep by name and leads them out ([John 10:3](/john/10-3 "John 10:3 - The Shepherd Calls His Sheep")). The census for military readiness points powerfully to the spiritual warfare in which believers are engaged, equipped not with physical weapons but with the full armor of God, enabling them to stand firm against the schemes of the devil ([Ephesians 6:10-18](/ephesians/6-10-18 "Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God")). Ultimately, the promise of a vast multitude, exemplified by tribes like Dan, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the innumerable host of the redeemed from "every tribe and language and people and nation" who stand before the Lamb, having been purchased by His precious blood ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Redeemed from Every Tribe")). This spiritual census, far grander than any earthly count, culminates in the vision of a great multitude that no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, fulfilling God's promise of a spiritual seed far greater than any physical census could capture ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - The Great Multitude Before the Throne")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 26:43

All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, [were] threescore and four thousand and four hundred.

Numbers 2:26

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, [were] threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.