Numbers 1:41

KJV

Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Asher, [were] forty and one thousand and five hundred.

KJV (with Strong's)

Those that were numbered {H6485} of them, even of the tribe {H4294} of Asher {H836}, were forty {H705} and one {H259} thousand {H505} and five {H2568} hundred {H3967}.

Berean Standard Bible

those registered to the tribe of Asher numbered 41,500.

American Standard Version

those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 1:41 records the specific count of the fighting men from the tribe of Asher during the first census of Israel, conducted at Mount Sinai. This meticulous numbering, undertaken approximately one year after the Exodus, served to organize the Israelite community for their impending journey through the wilderness and to prepare them for military readiness as they anticipated entering the Promised Land. The precise figure of forty-one thousand and five hundred for Asher underscores God's detailed attention to each segment of His people and their collective strength and readiness for His divine purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers chapter 1 initiates a detailed account of the first census of the Israelite tribes, taken in the wilderness of Sinai, specifically on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Exodus from Egypt. This census, commanded directly by God to Moses and Aaron, was not for taxation but primarily for military organization and the orderly arrangement of the vast Israelite camp as they prepared to move from Mount Sinai. Each tribe's fighting men, defined as those twenty years old and upward who were able to go to war, were meticulously counted. The preceding verses detail the counts for other tribes, establishing a pattern of divine order and preparation for the challenges of the wilderness journey and the eventual conquest of Canaan. The specific mention of Asher's count in [Numbers 1:41](/numbers/1-41 "Numbers 1:41 - The Census of Asher") fits within this larger enumeration, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of God's command and the obedience of the people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of taking a census in the ancient Near East was a significant undertaking, often associated with military conscription, taxation, or the establishment of a kingdom's strength. For Israel, this census at Mount Sinai, following their miraculous deliverance from Egypt (as recounted in [Exodus](/exodus/1 "The Book of Exodus")), marked a pivotal moment of transition from a collection of freed slaves to an organized, divinely-governed nation. The meticulous counting of able-bodied men underscored their identity as the "armies of the Lord" ([Exodus 12:41](/exodus/12-41 "Exodus 12:41 - The Armies of the Lord")), poised for a divine mission. The wilderness setting emphasized their dependence on God for provision and direction, while the census itself was a practical step in preparing them for the challenges of establishing a new society and conquering the land promised to their forefathers, a journey detailed throughout [the book of Numbers](/numbers/1 "The Book of Numbers - Wilderness Wanderings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _paqad'_):** This verb, frequently used in the Old Testament, carries a richer meaning than a simple tally. It implies "to visit," "to muster," "to appoint," or "to take account of." In the context of a census, it suggests divine oversight and active engagement. It's not merely a statistical count but an act of God attending to His people, acknowledging each individual for His specific purposes and their role in the collective destiny of the nation. It highlights God's intimate knowledge and intentionality regarding His covenant people.
* **Tribe (Hebrew, _matteh'_):** This term refers to a staff or rod, and by extension, a branch or tribe. It signifies the distinct familial and societal units that comprised the nation of Israel, each descended from one of Jacob's sons. The individual numbering within each "matteh" emphasizes the preservation of tribal identity and inheritance, even as they functioned as a unified nation under God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Asher":** This clause specifies the particular group being counted: the fighting men from the tribe of Asher. It highlights the systematic nature of the census, which proceeded tribe by tribe, ensuring that each distinct unit within Israel was accounted for according to God's command. The repetition of "numbered" emphasizes the divine act of taking account of His people.
* **"[were] forty and one thousand and five hundred":** This provides the precise numerical total for the tribe of Asher. This specific figure, like the others recorded in Numbers 1, serves not only as a historical record but also as a testament to God's blessing and the growth of His people. It reflects the strength and potential contribution of Asher within the larger Israelite community, indicating their readiness for the tasks ahead, both in journeying and in warfare.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 1:41 and indeed throughout the entire chapter is **Enumeration**. The meticulous listing of tribal numbers serves to emphasize the divine order and precision God imposes on His people. This is not merely a dry statistical report but a theological statement about God's sovereignty and His desire for an organized, prepared people. Furthermore, the act of counting and the resulting numbers carry **Symbolism**. They symbolize God's intimate knowledge of His people, His blessing in their growth, and their collective strength and readiness for the divine mission of inheriting the Promised Land. The repetition of the census formula for each tribe throughout the chapter reinforces the theme of divine meticulousness and the comprehensive nature of God's plan for Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 1:41, though a seemingly simple statistical detail, profoundly underscores God's meticulous nature, His desire for order among His people, and His purposeful preparation of them for their mission. The census reveals that God is intimately acquainted with every segment and individual within His covenant community, valuing each one's contribution to the collective whole. This divine ordering was essential for the daunting journey through the wilderness and the formidable task of conquering Canaan, demonstrating that God equips and organizes His people for the specific callings He places upon them.

* [Exodus 12:41](/exodus/12-41 "Exodus 12:41 - The Armies of the Lord")
* [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")
* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalm/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God Knows All Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 1:41 reminds us that God is a God of order, purpose, and intimate knowledge. Just as every Israelite was counted and known by God for a specific purpose within the nation, so too does God care for and know each individual believer today. No one is overlooked in His divine plan, regardless of how small their part may seem. This verse encourages us to embrace our unique place within the larger body of Christ, recognizing that our individual contributions, however varied, are vital to the overall strength and mission of the church. It also calls us to be prepared for God's purposes in our lives, understanding that spiritual readiness, much like the Israelites' physical readiness, is crucial for navigating life's challenges and fulfilling our divine calling.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of God in counting each tribe, including Asher, speak to God's care and knowledge of you personally?**
* **In what ways can you contribute to the order and purpose of your local church or community, recognizing your unique "number" or role within the larger body?**
* **What areas of your life might God be calling you to prepare more diligently for His purposes, just as the Israelites were prepared for their journey?**

### FAQ
**Why was the specific number for Asher, or any tribe, important in this census?**

Answer: The specific number for Asher, as for every other tribe, was important for several reasons. Firstly, it served a practical purpose for military organization, indicating the fighting strength available for defense and conquest as Israel moved through the wilderness and prepared to enter Canaan. Secondly, it demonstrated God's meticulous order and attention to detail in managing His vast people; every family and tribe mattered. Thirdly, these numbers reflected God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, showing the growth and blessing He bestowed upon the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even in the wilderness. Finally, the census established a clear tribal identity and structure, which was crucial for maintaining social order, assigning responsibilities (like camp arrangement and marching order, as detailed in [Numbers 2](/numbers/2 "Numbers 2 - The Camp and Marching Order")), and eventually, for the allocation of land in Canaan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The census of Israel, including the numbering of the tribe of Asher, foreshadows God's meticulous care and purposeful ordering of His people, ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Just as the tribes were counted and organized for a journey to a physical promised land, so too are believers, the spiritual Israel, "numbered" and ordered by God for their journey towards a heavenly inheritance. Christ is the true head of this new covenant community, the Church, which is His body ([Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ as Head of the Church")). Each believer, like each Israelite counted, is individually known and valued by God, their names "written in the Lamb's book of life" ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Book of Life")). The military readiness of ancient Israel points to the spiritual warfare in which believers engage under Christ's leadership ([Ephesians 6:10-18](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God")), and the journey to Canaan prefigures the believer's pilgrimage toward eternal glory. Thus, Numbers 1:41, in its detail and purpose, anticipates the perfect order, divine purpose, and individual significance found in God's people united in and through Jesus Christ.

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 26:47

These [are] the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; [who were] fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

Numbers 2:28

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, [were] forty and one thousand and five hundred.