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 meticulously records the census count for the fighting men of the tribe of Asher, totaling forty-one thousand and five hundred. This precise enumeration, conducted at Mount Sinai approximately one year after the Exodus, was a divinely commanded act 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 detailed figure for Asher, alongside those of the other tribes, underscores God's meticulous attention to each segment of His people and their collective strength and readiness for His sovereign purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers chapter 1 initiates a comprehensive account of the first census of the Israelite tribes, taken in the wilderness of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year following their departure from Egypt. This census, explicitly commanded by God to Moses and Aaron, served primarily for military organization and the orderly arrangement of the vast Israelite camp in anticipation of their departure 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 (e.g., [Numbers 1:20-40](/numbers/1-20-40 "Numbers 1:20-40 - Census of Reuben through Naphtali")), establishing a consistent 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 fits seamlessly within this larger enumeration, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of God's command and the people's obedient response.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, taking a census was a significant undertaking, often associated with military conscription, taxation, or the establishment of a kingdom's strength and control. For Israel, this census at Mount Sinai, following their miraculous deliverance from Egypt (as recounted in [the book of Exodus](/exodus/1 "The Book of Exodus - Israel's Deliverance")), marked a pivotal 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 complete 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").
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 1:41 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Order and Sovereignty**, as God meticulously organizes His people for their journey and mission. The census highlights God's **Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises**, demonstrating the miraculous growth of Abraham's descendants into a numerous nation, fulfilling the promises made in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - The Abrahamic Covenant"). It also emphasizes **Preparation for Holy War and Inheritance**, as the counted men represent the military strength necessary for conquering Canaan, a task central to Israel's identity and future. Finally, the individual tribal counts, like Asher's, underscore the theme of **Corporate Identity and Individual Significance**, where each part contributes to the strength and purpose of the whole nation, reflecting God's intimate knowledge of His people (as seen in [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalm/139-1-4 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** This verb (H6485) is a primitive root meaning "to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc." In the context of a census, it implies more than a mere statistical tally. It suggests a divine visitation, an act of God taking account of His people, overseeing their organization, and appointing them for specific purposes. This highlights God's active engagement and intentionality regarding His covenant people, acknowledging each individual's role in the collective destiny of the nation.
* **Tribe (Hebrew, _maṭṭeh'_):** This term (H4294) refers to a "branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod." 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 "maṭṭeh" emphasizes the preservation of tribal identity and inheritance, even as they functioned as a unified nation under God's leadership. The term underscores the organic, familial structure of Israel's national identity.
* **Five (Hebrew, _châmêsh'_):** This numeral (H2568) simply means "five." Its inclusion, along with "forty and one thousand" (H705, H259, H505) and "hundred" (H3967), highlights the meticulous precision of the census. The exactness of the numbers, down to the last hundred, emphasizes the thoroughness of the divine command and the obedience of Moses and Aaron in executing it. This precision speaks to God's attention to detail and His desire for order within His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Asher":** This opening clause precisely identifies the specific group being counted: the fighting men from the tribe of Asher. It underscores 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 explicit command. The phrase "those that were numbered" emphasizes the divine act of taking account of His people, rather than merely a human tabulation.
* **"[were] forty and one thousand and five hundred":** This provides the exact 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 remarkable growth of His people since their descent into Egypt. It reflects the strength and potential contribution of Asher within the larger Israelite community, indicating their readiness for the tasks ahead, both in journeying through the wilderness and in engaging in warfare to possess the Promised Land.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 1:41 and 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 profound theological statement about God's sovereignty and His desire for an organized, prepared people. Furthermore, the act of counting and the resulting numbers carry significant **Symbolism**. They symbolize God's intimate knowledge of His people, His blessing in their exponential growth, and their collective strength and readiness for the divine mission of inheriting the Promised Land. The consistent repetition of the census formula for each tribe throughout the chapter reinforces the theme of divine meticulousness and the comprehensive nature of God's overarching plan for Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 1:41, though seemingly a 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. It speaks to a God who is both infinitely vast and intimately detailed, caring for the individual within the collective.

* [Exodus 12:41](/exodus/12-41 "Exodus 12:41 - The Armies of the Lord")
* [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")
* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalm/139-1-4 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience and Presence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 1:41 serves as a powerful reminder 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's collective journey, so too does God care for and know each individual believer today. No one is overlooked in His divine plan, regardless of how small or seemingly insignificant their part may appear. 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, health, 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 for their wilderness journey and conquest, is crucial for navigating life's challenges and faithfully fulfilling our divine calling in a world that desperately needs the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of God in counting each tribe, including Asher, speak to God's personal care and intimate knowledge of you as an individual?**
* **In what specific ways can you contribute to the order, strength, and purpose of your local church or Christian community, recognizing your unique "number" or role within the larger body of Christ?**
* **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 and eventual inheritance?**

### 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 profoundly important for several interconnected reasons. Firstly, it served a crucial practical purpose for military organization, indicating the precise fighting strength available for defense and conquest as Israel moved through the wilderness and prepared to enter Canaan. This detailed enumeration allowed for strategic planning of encampment and marching orders, as detailed in [Numbers 2](/numbers/2 "Numbers 2 - The Camp and Marching Order"). Secondly, it demonstrated God's meticulous order and attention to detail in managing His vast people; every family and tribe mattered, reflecting divine precision. Thirdly, these numbers reflected God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, showing the miraculous growth and blessing He bestowed upon the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even in the challenging wilderness environment (see [Genesis 46:3](/genesis/46-3 "Genesis 46:3 - God's Promise to Jacob")). Finally, the census established a clear tribal identity and structure, which was crucial for maintaining social order, assigning responsibilities, and eventually, for the equitable allocation of land in Canaan (as seen in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The census of Israel, including the specific numbering of the tribe of Asher, foreshadows God's meticulous care and purposeful ordering of His people, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus 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, perfectly organized and equipped for His purposes ([Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22-23 "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, equipped with the full armor of God ([Ephesians 6:10-18](/ephesians/6-10-18 "Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God")), and the journey to Canaan prefigures the believer's pilgrimage toward eternal glory and the New Heavens and New Earth ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")). 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, the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises.

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.