Numbers 1:46

Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

Even all they that were numbered {H6485} were six {H8337} hundred {H3967} thousand {H505} and three {H7969} thousand {H505} and five {H2568} hundred {H3967} and fifty {H2572}.

and the grand total came to 603,550.

And all those counted totaled 603,550.

even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

Commentary

Numbers 1:46 concludes the detailed account of the first census of the Israelite men, taken at Mount Sinai shortly after the Exodus from Egypt. This verse provides the grand total of all those numbered: six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty (603,550).

Context

This verse is the culmination of God's command to Moses and Aaron to take a census of all men twenty years old and upward who were "able to go forth to war in Israel" (Numbers 1:3). The preceding verses (Numbers 1:20-43) meticulously list the individual counts for each tribe, excluding the Levites, who were set apart for service to the tabernacle (Numbers 1:47). This census was vital for organizing the vast Israelite camp, preparing them for their journey through the wilderness, and readying them for future military engagements as they approached the Promised Land.

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Organization: The meticulous counting and precise total underscore God's nature as a God of order. He orchestrates every detail, from the arrangement of the camp to the preparation of His people for their divine purpose.
  • Fulfillment of Covenant Promises: The immense number of fighting menโ€”over 600,000โ€”is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promise to Abraham that his descendants would become a great and numerous nation, like the stars of heaven (Genesis 15:5) and the dust of the earth (Genesis 13:16).
  • Preparation for God's Purposes: The census was not just about numbers; it was about preparing a nation for its mission. This count served as the foundation for military organization, camp structure, and understanding the strength available for the eventual conquest of Canaan.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "numbered" is paqad (ืคืงื“), which means more than simply to count. It implies a "muster," "enrollment," or "visitation," often with a sense of divine oversight and purpose. In this context, it signifies that God was actively involved in accounting for His people, recognizing each individual within His grand plan. The precise sum of 603,550 indicates careful, deliberate counting, reflecting the importance of this divine directive.

Practical Application

Numbers 1:46 reminds us that God is actively involved in the details of His people's lives, both individually and corporately. Just as He meticulously counted and organized Israel for their journey and mission, He continues to work with precision in our lives. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. It also highlights the importance of order and preparation in fulfilling God's purposes, whether in personal discipleship or communal ministry.

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 26:51 (5 votes)

    These [were] the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.

  • Exodus 38:26 (5 votes)

    A bekah for every man, [that is], half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty [men].

  • Exodus 12:37 (5 votes)

    ยถ And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot [that were] men, beside children.

  • Numbers 2:32 (4 votes)

    These [are] those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts [were] six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

  • Hebrews 11:11 (2 votes)

    Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

  • Hebrews 11:12 (2 votes)

    Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

  • Genesis 26:3 (2 votes)

    Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;