Numbers 1                                                                                                    

 

Numbers. Translation of Greek name in Sept. given by man according to his idea of contents.

Hebrew Title = Bemidbar "in the wilderness", because it records what took place there.

The numberings (1-3 and 26) being only two of the events. It is the book of the sojournings, the fourth book of the Pentateuch.

Four is the number of the earth:hence the types of Numbers, the fourth book, are wilderness types (compare the fourth book of the Psalms, 90-106). Its types of Christ, the Son of Man on earth.

 

(1) Bread of life, Nu 11:7-9 (Joh 6:57,58).
(2) Water of life, 20:11 (1Co 10:4).
(3) Lifted up, 21:9 (Joh 3:14,15).
(4) The coming star out of Jacob, Nu 24:17 (Lu 1:78; 2Pe 1:19; Re 2:28; 22:16).

 

The LORD spake = God (the Covenant God) spake to His own People. He spake fifty-six "sundry times" (7 x 8) in Numbers, and in thirteen "divers manners" (twelve to Moses, once to Aaron), and four times indefinite:.

(1) To Moses alone (Nu 1:1,48; 3:5,11,14,44; 4:21; 7:4; 8:5,23; 10:1; 11:25; 13:1; 16:44; 25:10,16; 26:52; 27:6; 31:1,25; 34:16.
(2) To Moses, to speak to Aaron (Nu 8:1).
(3) To Moses, to speak to Aaron and his sons (Nu 6:22).
(4) To Moses, to speak to Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest (Nu 16:36).
(5) To Moses, to speak to the Levites (Nu 18:25).
(6) To Moses, to speak to the congregation (Nu 16:23).
(7) To Moses, to speak to the children of Israel (Nu 5:1,5,11; 6:1; 9:1 (Compare Nu 1:4), Nu 1:9; 15:1,17,37; 17:1; 28:1 (Compare Nu 1:2); Nu 33:50; 34:1; 35:1,9).
(8) To Moses, to speak to the rock (Nu 20:7).
(9) To Moses and Aaron (Nu 2:1; 4:1,17; 14:26; 16:20; 20:12,23).
(10) To Moses and Aaron, to speak to the children of Israel (Nu 19:1).
(11) To Moses and Aaron and Miriam (Nu 12:4).
(12) To Moses and Eleazar (Nu 26:1)..
(13) To Aaron (Nu 18:8). (v. 20 should be "said".).
(14) God spake (indefinite) (Nu 1:19; 3:1; 14:35; 27:23).
For "the LORD said", see note on Nu 3:40 (sixteen times, making seventy-two in all)..

 

Numbers 1:1 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,

• Sinai = To which they had come on the third month after the exodus (Ex 19:1), and where they abode till the twentieth day of the second month of the second year (Nu 10:11). The numbering (ch. 1) began on the first day of that month (v. 18).
• Tabernacle = tent (Hebrew 'ohel).
• Come = gone.

2 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls;

• Take ye - Compare Ex 30:11,12; 38:25. In Exodus, moral law (prophet); Leviticus, ritual law (priest); Numbers, commonwealth law (king).
• Sum = Three numberings. Ex 30:11-12 (Compare Num 38:25, Num 38:26); here; and 26.
• Children = sons. Hebrew banim, from banah, to build, because the family thus built up.
• Compare Ge 30:3; Ru 4:11. So throughout, polls. Edition of 1611 = poll.

3 From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

4 And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.

• God is appointing who goes by their name.

5 And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.

• These are the names = The order here = five sons of Leah, three of Rachel, one of Bilhah, two of Zilpah, and one of Bilhah.
• Men =  Hebrew of 'Ish, or 'enosh.

6 Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

7 Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

• Nahshon = In the line of the promised seed, the father of Salmon (husband of Rahab of Jericho), progenitor of Boaz of Bethlehem (husband of Ruth). Compare Ru 4:18-22; Mt 1:4,5; Lu 3:32.

8 Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar.

9 Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon.

 
10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

11 Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.

12 Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

13 Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran.

14 Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

15 Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan.

16 These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.

17 And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names:

18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.

19 As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.

• As = according as.
• Wilderness of Sinai (verse 1), to distinguish it from the second, which was in the plains of Moab.

20 And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

• Reuben = Lost his dignity in Ge 49:3,4; not many in number here.

21 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.

22 Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

• Simeon was greatly diminished by sin in Nu 26:4, and Moses does not mention him in De 33.
• Those that were numbered of them.
• Some codices, with two early printed editions, omit this clause. Compare vvith  Nu 20:24,26, etc.

23 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.

24 Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

• Gad takes the place of Levi here.

25 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.

• Fifty = Gad is the only one who has "tens", all the others "hundreds".
• In the case of the firstborn (Nu 3:43) we have not only tens but units.

26 Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

• Judah = His number is greatest.
• Genesis 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.

27 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.

28 Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

29 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.

30 Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

31 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.

32 Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

• Joseph = "The fruitful vine" (Ge 49:22) has two tribes (not merely "families").
• Thus Joseph has "the double portion" (1Ch 5:1,2).
• Ephraim = Blessed first (Ge 48:19,20), is here named first, and is increased more than Manasseh (De 33:17).
• But in journeyings his numbers were diminished by 8:000. See Nu 26:37, and compare 1Ch 7:20-22.

33 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred.

34 Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

• Manasseh. The lowest in number. See Ge 48:19. Increased by 20:500 in journeying, 26:34, 37 (compare Job 12:23).
• Genesis 48:10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
  11 And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.
  12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
  13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.
  14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
  15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,
  16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
  17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head.
  18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
  19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
  20 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
  21 And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.
  22 Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.

35 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

36 Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

37 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.

38 Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

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

40 Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

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

 
42 Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

• Of the children = Some Jewish commentators explain it as being only "the sons", because Naphtali had more daughters than sons, and in Ge 49:33 is likened to a female (hind).
•  Hence in Nu 26:64 it is said, the "men" died (but the women multiplied).
• Numbers 26:64 But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.

43 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

44 These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers.

45 So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel;

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

• All they = The number in Ex 12:37 is not "exaggerated", as the number here had increased since then; moreover, the numbers here coincide with the numbers of the half-shekels, which had been contributed by them in Ex 30:14; 38:25-26, before the tabernacle was set up. Compare Ex 38:25 with 40:17.

47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

• Levites not numbered here with the nation, but separately in Nu 3:14-29.
• Numbers 3:14 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
  15 Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.
  16 And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.
  17 And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.
  18 And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei.
  19 And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
  20 And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.
  21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
  22 Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred.
  23 The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.
  24 And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael.
  25 And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
  26 And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof.
  27 And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.
  28 In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.
  29 The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward.

48 For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying,

49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:

50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

52 And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts.

53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.

• pitch = encamp.
• That there be no wrath: no judgment from God. "wrath" put by (of Cause) for the judgment inflicted.  Hebrew kazaph. First occurrence.

54 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.

• Exactly 2520 years from the exile of Benjamin, Iceland became an independent nation.

 

•  The first tribe to be conquered by the Assyrians was Manasseh, in 745 B.C. Exactly 2520 years later America became a nation on July 4, 1776.

(Leviticus. 26: 28-46) God warned Israel that if they persisted in continually breaking His Laws, not only would curses come upon them.

He would punish them for seven times, (a time being 360 years, seven times would be 2520 years) and would banish them from the land of Palestine and scatter them among the heathens (like lost sheep)

• Study the book: Abrahamic Covenant, (A study outline of the identity of God's people) By E. Raymond Capt - page 25