Numbers 26:4

[Take the sum of the people], from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.

Take the sum of the people, from twenty {H6242} years {H8141} old {H1121} and upward {H4605}; as the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} Moses {H4872} and the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, which went forth {H3318} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}.

"Those twenty years old and over who came out of the land of Egypt, as ADONAI ordered Moshe and the people of Isra'el."

“Take a census of the men twenty years of age or older, as the LORD has commanded Moses.” And these were the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt:

Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as Jehovah commanded Moses and the children of Israel, that came forth out of the land of Egypt.

Commentary

Numbers 26:4 (KJV): "[Take the sum of the people], from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt."

Context

Numbers chapter 26 records the second census of the Israelites in the wilderness. This census takes place towards the end of their forty-year journey, on the plains of Moab, just before they are to enter the promised land of Canaan. The first census, recorded in Numbers chapter 1, counted the generation that left Egypt. This second census counts the generation that is preparing to inherit the land, specifically those of military age (twenty years old and upward), excluding the Levites who were counted separately for service.

Key Themes

  • Obedience to God's Command: The verse explicitly states the census was conducted "as the LORD commanded Moses," highlighting the Israelites' continued need to follow divine instruction.
  • Generational Transition: This census marks a significant shift from the generation that experienced the Exodus and wandered in the wilderness to the generation poised to enter Canaan. The phrase "which went forth out of the land of Egypt" serves as a historical marker for the preceding generation.
  • Readiness and Responsibility: Counting those "from twenty years old and upward" signifies readiness for military service and the responsibilities of inheriting and settling the land. This age group was accountable in the wilderness journey, particularly after the incident at Kadesh-Barnea.
  • Preparation for Inheritance: The census results were crucial for organizing the tribes and later for the fair distribution of the land among the families, based on their numbers.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "from twenty years old and upward" (מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמָעְלָה, mibben ‘esrim shanah wama‘lah) is a key criterion used in both censuses and for determining eligibility for military service and adult accountability in ancient Israelite society. It signifies the age of responsibility and physical capability for war.

Reflection

Numbers 26:4 underscores the theme of divine faithfulness across generations and the importance of obedience. It reminds us that God's plans continue, even as one generation passes and another rises. The focus on those "twenty years old and upward" highlights the call to be prepared and responsible in God's service, ready to undertake the tasks He sets before us, much like this generation was preparing to enter and conquer the promised land. The reference to those who "went forth out of the land of Egypt" serves as a reminder of God's mighty deliverance and the journey that brought them to this point, while also implicitly contrasting them with the fate of the previous generation who failed to enter the land due to unbelief, as described in Numbers 14:29.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 1:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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,

  • 1 Chronicles 21:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.