Numbers
The book of Numbers is a book containing a series of the most astonishing providences and events. Every where and in every circumstance God appears; and yet there is no circumstance or occasion which does not justify those signal displays of his grace and mercy; and in every relation we perceive the consistency of the divine intentions, and the propriety of those laws which he established.
Numbers 1
Overview
1:1 God commands Moses to number the people;
1:5 The princes of the tribes;
1:17 The number of every tribe;
1:47 The Levites are exempted for the service of the Lord. Verse 1 wilderness Numbers 10:11, 10:12; Exodus 19:1; Leviticus 27:34 tabernacle Exodus 25:22; Leviticus 1:1 on the first dayAs the tabernacle was erected on the first day of the first month, in the second year of their departure from Egypt - Exodus 40:17
and this happened on the first day of the second month, in the same year, it is evident that the transactions related in the preceding book must all have taken place in the space of one month, and during the time the Israelites were encamped at mount Sinai. Numbers 9:1, 10:11; Exodus 40:17; 1 Kings 6:1 Reciprocal Genesis 17:4 - a father; 35:11 - a nation; 42:13 - Thy servants; 46:15 - Leah; Exodus 3:12 - ye shall; 12:3 - an house; Leviticus 25:1 - General; Numbers 3:1 - spake; 7:89 - he heard; 26:4 - General; 26:64 - General; Deuteronomy 23:12 - General Verse 2 Take ye the sumThis numbering was probably intended to illustrate the Divine faithfulness in thus increasing the seed of Abraham; to prepare them to preserve due order in their march; and to distinguish the tribes and families. Numbers 26:2-4, 26:63, 26:64; Exodus 30:12, 38:26; 2 Samuel 24:1-3; 1 Chronicles 21:1, 21:2, 27:23, 27:24 the children Genesis 49:1-3; Exodus 1:1-5 after Numbers 1:18, 1:22, 1:26-54; Exodus 6:14-19 Reciprocal Numbers 1:19 - General; 1:44 - General; 1 Chronicles 23:24 - by their polls; 2 Chronicles 17:14 - to the house Verse 3 twenty Numbers 14:29, 32:11; Exodus 30:14 able Numbers 26:2; Deuteronomy 3:18, 24:5; 2 Samuel 24:9; 2 Chronicles 17:13-18, 26:11-13 by their Numbers 33:1; Exodus 12:17 Reciprocal Numbers 1:47 - General; 1 Chronicles 5:18 - that went; 23:24 - twenty; 2 Chronicles 25:5 - from twenty Verse 4 Numbers 1:16, 2:3-31, 7:10-83, 10:14-27, 13:2-15, 17:3, 25:4, 25:14, 34:18-28; Exodus 18:25; Joshua 22:14; 1 Chronicles 27:1-22 Reciprocal Leviticus 4:22 - a ruler hath sinned; Numbers 7:2 - the princes; 10:4 - General; 30:1 - General; Joshua 4:2 - twelve men; 18:4 - three; 1 Chronicles 23:24 - after the house; Revelation 7:5 - tribe of Juda Verse 5 Elizur Numbers 2:10, 7:30, 10:18; Genesis 29:32-35, 30:5-20, 35:17-26, 46:8-24, 49:1-33; Exodus 1:2-5; Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Revelation 7:4-8 Reciprocal Genesis 35:22 - Now the sons; Numbers 1:17 - General; 17:2 - all their princes; 1 Chronicles 2:1 - Reuben; 5:1 - he was; Job 9:5 - which overturneth; Ezekiel 48:1 - the names Verse 6 Shelumiel Numbers 2:12, 7:36 Reciprocal Genesis 46:10 - Simeon; Numbers 10:19 - Simeon; Job 9:5 - which overturneth Verse 7 Nahshon Numbers 2:3, 7:12, 10:14; Ruth 4:18; 1 Chronicles 2:10, 2:11; Matthew 1:2-5; Luke 3:32, NaassonReciprocal Genesis 46:12 - Judah; Exodus 6:23 - Amminadab; Ruth 4:20 - Nahshon; Matthew 1:4 - Naasson Verse 8 Nethaneel Numbers 2:5, 7:18, 10:15 Reciprocal Genesis 46:13 - Issachar Verse 9 Eliab Numbers 2:7, 7:24, 10:16 Reciprocal Genesis 46:14 - Zebulun; Ezekiel 42:13 - the most holy Verse 10 Elishama Numbers 2:18, 7:48, 10:22; 1 Chronicles 7:26, 7:27 Gamaliel Numbers 2:20, 7:54, 10:23 Reciprocal Genesis 48:5 - are mine; Judges 1:22 - the house; 1 Chronicles 2:41 - Elishama; Ezekiel 42:13 - the most holy Verse 11 Abidan Numbers 2:22, 7:60, 10:24 Reciprocal Genesis 46:16 - sons of; 46:21 - the sons Verse 12 Ahiezer Numbers 2:25, 7:66, 10:25 Reciprocal Genesis 46:23 - Dan Verse 13 Pagiel Numbers 2:27, 7:72, 10:26 Reciprocal Genesis 46:17 - Asher Verse 14 Eliasaph Numbers 7:42, 10:20, Son of Reuel, 2:14 DeuelAs the ד, daleth is very like the ר, resh, they might be easily mistaken for each other; and hence this person being called both Deuel and Reuel, may be easily accounted for. The Septuagint and Syriac have Reuel, in this chapter; and in 2:14, the Samaritan, Vulgate, and Arabic have Deuel, instead of Reuel, with which reading a vast number of manuscripts concur, and which is also supported by 7:42, 10:20. We may therefore safely conclude, the Deuel, and not Reuel, was the original reading.Reciprocal Jeremiah 11:19 - that his Verse 15 Ahira Numbers 2:29, 7:78, 10:27 Reciprocal Genesis 46:24 - Naphtali Verse 16 the renownedKeruey haa?idah, literally "the called of the congregation," those who were summoned by name to attend. Numbers 2:3-31, 7:2, 7:10-83, 10:14-27, 11:17, 16:2, 26:9; Judges 6:15; 1 Chronicles 27:16-22 heads Numbers 1:4; Exodus 18:21, 18:25; Deuteronomy 1:15; 1 Samuel 22:7, 23:23; Micah 5:2 Reciprocal Leviticus 4:22 - a ruler hath sinned Verse 17 Numbers 1:5-15; John 10:3; Revelation 7:4-17 Reciprocal Leviticus 24:16 - blasphemeth; 1 Chronicles 16:41 - expressed Verse 18 their pedigrees Ezra 2:59; Nehemiah 7:61; Habakkuk 3:1, 3:1 *marg.by the Numbers 1:2 according 1:20-54 from twentyIn this census no women were reckoned, nor children, nor minors, nor strangers, nor Levites, nor old men; which, collectively, must have formed an immense multitude; the Levites alone amounted to 22,300 men.Reciprocal Exodus 30:14 - from twenty; 1 Chronicles 23:24 - by their polls; 27:23 - from twenty; 2 Chronicles 17:14 - to the house Verse 19 Numbers 1:2, 26:1, 26:2; 2 Samuel 24:1-10
Verse 20 Numbers 2:10, 2:11, 26:5-7; Genesis 29:32, 46:9, 49:3, 49:4; 1 Chronicles 5:1 Reciprocal Genesis 35:22 - Now the sons; 46:8 - Reuben; Exodus 30:14 - from twenty; Numbers 1:18 - according Verse 21 That Numbers 26:1
in their decreasing proportion, beginning with the greatest and proceeding to the least.

Tribe | 1st Census | 2nd Census
Judah | 74,600 | 76,500
Dan | 62,700 | 64,400
Simeon | 59,300 | 22,200
Zebulun | 57,400 | 60,500
Issachar | 54,400 | 64,300
Naphtali | 53,400 | 45,400
Reuben | 46,500 | 43,730
Gad | 45,650 | 40,500
Asher | 41,500 | 53,400
Ephraim | 40,500 | 32,500
Benjamin | 35,400 | 45,600
Manasseh | 32,200 | 52,700
Totals | 603,550 | 601,730

Thus we find Judah the most populous tribe, and Manasseh the least so; the difference between them being as great as 42,000. Jacob had given Judah the pre-eminence in his prophetic blessing; and that tribe was to have the precedency in the encampments of Israel: accordingly God had increased them more than any of their brethren. Ephraim and Manasseh, according to the same prophecy, were numbered as distinct tribes, Ephraim having the superiority, as it was foretold; and Joseph indeed appears "a fruitful bough."
; 2:10, 2:11, 26:7 Reciprocal Genesis 46:8 - Reuben; Numbers 3:34 - General Verse 22 Numbers 2:12, 2:13, 26:12-14; Genesis 29:33, 34:25-30, 42:24, 46:10, 49:5, 49:6 Reciprocal Numbers 1:2 - after; 26:14 - General; 1 Chronicles 23:24 - by their polls; Revelation 7:7 - Simeon Verse 23 Numbers 2:13, 25:8, 25:9, 25:14, 26:14 Reciprocal Genesis 46:10 - Simeon Verse 24 The
; Numbers 2:14, 2:15, 26:15-18; Genesis 30:10, 30:11, 46:16, 49:19 Reciprocal Numbers 26:18 - General Verse 25 Numbers 2:15, 26:18 Reciprocal Genesis 46:16 - sons of Verse 26 Numbers 2:3, 2:4, 26:19-22; Genesis 29:35, 46:12, 49:8-12; 2 Samuel 24:9; 1 Chronicles 5:2; 2 Chronicles 17:14-16 Reciprocal Numbers 1:2 - after; 26:22 - General Verse 27 Numbers 2:3, 2:4, 26:22; 2 Samuel 24:9; 2 Chronicles 17:14-16 Reciprocal Genesis 46:12 - Judah; 49:8 - thy hand Verse 28 Numbers 2:5, 2:6, 23:23-25; Genesis 30:18, 46:13, 49:14, 49:15 Reciprocal Numbers 26:25 - threescore Verse 29 Numbers 2:6, 26:25 Reciprocal 2:5 - General Verse 30 Numbers 2:7, 2:8, 26:26, 26:27; Genesis 30:20, 46:14, 49:13
Verse 31 Numbers 2:8, 26:27 Reciprocal Genesis 46:14 - Zebulun; Numbers 2:7 - General Verse 32 Numbers 2:18, 2:19, 26:35-37; Genesis 30:24, 37:1-36, 39:1-23, 46:20, 48:1-22; 49:22-26; Deuteronomy 33:17 Reciprocal Genesis 48:5 - are mine; Numbers 26:37 - General; Judges 1:22 - the house Verse 33 the tribe Genesis 48:5; Deuteronomy 33:17 were forty Numbers 2:19, 26:37 Reciprocal Genesis 48:19 - I know it Verse 34 Manasseh Numbers 26:34; Genesis 41:51, 46:20, 48:1, 50:23; Deuteronomy 33:17; Joshua 4:12, 17:1; 1 Chronicles 7:14; Revelation 7:6
Verse 35 Numbers 2:21, 26:34; Genesis 48:19, 48:20
Verse 36 Genesis 35:16-18, 44:20, 46:21, 49:27 Reciprocal 46:19 - Joseph; Numbers 26:41 - General Verse 37 Numbers 2:23, 26:41; Judges 20:44-46; 2 Chronicles 17:17 Reciprocal Genesis 46:19 - Joseph; 46:21 - the sons Verse 38 Genesis 30:5, 30:6, 46:23, 49:16, 49:17 Reciprocal Numbers 26:43 - General Verse 39 Numbers 2:26, 26:43 Reciprocal Genesis 46:23 - Dan Verse 40 Genesis 30:12, 30:13, 46:27, 49:20 Reciprocal 46:17 - Asher; Numbers 26:47 - General; 2 Samuel 2:9 - Ashurites; 1 Chronicles 2:2 - Asher Verse 41 Numbers 2:28, 26:47 Reciprocal Genesis 46:17 - Asher; 1 Chronicles 2:2 - Asher Verse 42 Naphtali Genesis 30:7, 30:8, 46:24, 49:21
Respecting the manner in which this vast multitude sprang from 75 persons, Scheuchzer has some valuable calculations, with the results of which we present the reader:

Tribe | 1st Gen | 2nd Gen | 3rd Gen | 4th Gen | Totals - 3 and 4
Judah | 25 | 238 | 3,865 | 70,735 | 74,600
Dan | 11 | 132 | 2,508 | 60,192 | 62,700
Simeon | 39 | 359 | 3,953 | 55,347 | 59,300
Zebulun | 20 | 143 | 2,296 | 55,104 | 57,400
Issachar | 27 | 251 | 3,022 | 51,378 | 54,400
Naphtali | 26 | 296 | 3,560 | 49,840 | 53,400
Reuben | 31 | 215 | 2,583 | 43,917 | 46,500
Gad | 67 | 475 | 3,804 | 41,846 | 45,650
Asher | 39 | 310 | 3,192 | 38,308 | 41,500
Ephraim | 16 | 160 | 1,928 | 38,572 | 40,500
Benjamin | 98 | 885 | 4,425 | 30,975 | 35,400
Manasseh | 10 | 134 | 1,610 | 30,590 | 32,200
Levi | 8 | 96 | 1,240 | 21,060 | 22,300

Reciprocal Numbers 2:29 - the tribe; 2:30 - General; 26:50 - General Verse 43 Numbers 2:30, 26:50 Reciprocal Genesis 46:24 - Naphtali; Numbers 2:29 - the tribe Verse 44 Numbers 1:2-16, 26:64
Verse 45 Reciprocal Numbers 14:29 - all that were Verse 46 What
; Numbers 2:32, 23:10, 26:51; Genesis 12:2, 13:16, 15:5, 17:6, 22:17, 26:3, 28:14; 46:3, 46:4; Exodus 12:37, 38:26; Deuteronomy 10:22; 1 Kings 4:20; 2 Samuel 24:9; 1 Chronicles 21:5; 2 Chronicles 13:3, 17:14-19; Habakkuk 3:1, 3:1; Revelation 7:4-9 Reciprocal Genesis 48:16 - grow into; Numbers 11:21 - General; Deuteronomy 1:10 - your God; Judges 20:17 - four hundred Verse 47 Numbers 1:3, 1:50, 2:33, 3:1-51, 4:1-49, 8:1-26, 26:57-62; 1 Chronicles 6:1-81, 21:6 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 10:8 - time the Lord Verse 49 Numbers 2:33, 26:62 Reciprocal 3:6 - General; 8:11 - they may execute Verse 50 thou shalt Numbers 3:1-10, 4:15, 4:25-33; Exodus 31:18, 32:26-29, 38:21; 1 Chronicles 23:1-32; 25:1-26:32; Ezra 8:25-30, 8:33, 8:34; Nehemiah 12:8, 12:22, 12:47, 13:5, 13:10-13, 13:22 the tabernacle Numbers 1:53, 20:11; Exodus 31:18, 38:21; Psalm 122:4 shall encamp Numbers 2:17, 3:23-38, 10:21 Reciprocal Exodus 16:34 - General; 37:5 - General; 40:33 - up the court; Numbers 1:47 - General; 2:2 - about the; 3:7 - to do the; 2 Chronicles 24:6 - tabernacle; Acts 7:44 - the tabernacle; Revelation 15:5 - General Verse 51 the Levites Numbers 4:5-33, 10:11, 10:17-21 the stranger 3:10, 3:38, 16:40, 18:22; Leviticus 22:10-13; 1 Samuel 6:19; 2 Samuel 6:7 Reciprocal Exodus 29:33 - a stranger; Numbers 10:21 - the other did; 17:13 - Whosoever; 18:4 - a stranger; 1 Kings 13:33 - whosoever Verse 52 Numbers 2:2, 2:34, 10:1-36, 24:2 Reciprocal 9:19 - kept the; 18:22 - come nigh Verse 53 shall pitch Numbers 1:50, 3:7, 18:3; 1 Timothy 4:13-16; 2 Timothy 4:2 there be Numbers 8:19, 16:46, 18:5; Leviticus 10:6; 1 Samuel 6:19; Jeremiah 5:31, 23:15; Acts 20:28-31 and the Numbers 3:7, 3:8, 8:24-26, 18:3-5, 31:30, 31:47; 1 Chronicles 23:32; 2 Chronicles 13:10 Reciprocal Exodus 16:34 - General; 38:21 - tabernacle of testimony; Numbers 2:2 - about the; 3:23 - General; 3:29 - General; 3:35 - shall; 3:38 - toward; 8:26 - to keep; 9:19 - kept the; 16:9 - separated; Revelation 15:5 - General Verse 54 Numbers 2:34; Exodus 23:21, 23:22, 39:32, 39:43, 40:16, 40:32; Deuteronomy 12:32; 1 Samuel 15:22; Matthew 28:20 Reciprocal Numbers 4:49 - According to the; 9:22 - abode