Chapter commentary
Numbers Chapter 1
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Israel was now to be formed into a commonwealth, or rather a kingdom; for "the Lord was their King" (1Sa 12:12), their government a theocracy, and Moses under him was king in Jeshurun, De 33:5. Now, for the right settlement of this holy state, next to the institution of good laws was necessary the institution of good order; and account therefore must be taken of the subjects of this kingdom, which is done in this chapter, where we have, I. Orders given to Moses to number the people, Nu 1:1-4. II. Persons nominated to assist him herein, Nu 1:5-16. III. The particular number of each tribe, as it was given in to Moses, Nu 1:17-43. IV. The sum total of all together, Nu 1:44-46. V. An exception of the Levites, Nu 1:47-54, etc.
1-54
The Numbering of the Israelites (1490 BC)
简体中文
以色列人的点数（公元前1490年）
¹ 以色列人出埃及地后第二年，二月初一日，耶和华在西奈的旷野，在会幕中晓谕摩西说： ² "你们要将以色列全会众，按他们的宗族、父家、人名的数目，计算所有的男丁，人数一一计算； ³ 凡以色列中，从二十岁以外能出去打仗的，你和亚伦要照着他们的军队数点他们。 ⁴ 每支派中必有一人与你们同在，每人都作本父家的族长。 ⁵ 与你们同站的人，名字记在下面：属流便的，有示丢珥的儿子以利蓿； ⁶ 属西缅的，有苏利沙代的儿子示路蔑； ⁷ 属犹大的，有亚米拿达的儿子拿顺； ⁸ 属以萨迦的，有苏押的儿子拿坦业； ⁹ 属西布伦的，有希伦的儿子以利押； ¹⁰ 约瑟的子孙中，属以法莲的，有亚米忽的儿子以利沙玛；属玛拿西的，有比大蓿的儿子迦玛列； ¹¹ 属便雅悯的，有基多尼的儿子亚比但； ¹² 属但的，有亚米沙代的儿子亚希以谢； ¹³ 属亚设的，有俄兰的儿子帕结； ¹⁴ 属迦得的，有丢珥的儿子以利雅萨； ¹⁵ 属拿弗他利的，有以难的儿子亚希拉。 ¹⁶ 这些都是会中被选召的名人，都是本支派的族长，是以色列军中的千夫长。
I. 这里我们看见一项为以色列民数点人数所颁发的谕令；而许久之后的大卫，因没有谕令而擅自数点，付上了惨重的代价。这里包含：
1. 这谕令的日期（民 1:1）。(1.) 地点：它是在神的宫廷——西奈的旷野，从祂的王宫——会幕中颁布的。(2.) 时间：他们出埃及地后第二年；我们可以称之为那治权的第二年。利未记中的律法是在那年正月赐下的；这些命令则是在二月初赐下的。
2. 为执行此事所给的指示（民 1:2,3）。(1.) 惟有男丁才被数点，且只数点那些能作战的。二十岁以下的概不数点；因为，虽然有些这样的人可能身量体力足以服役，但神顾念他们年幼，不愿他们负戈上阵。(2.) 凡因年老、身体残疾、瞎眼、瘸腿或患慢性病症而不能作战的，也概不数点。教会既是争战的教会，唯有那些已经报名作了耶稣基督兵丁的人，才算为其中真正的成员；因为我们的生命，我们基督徒的生命，就是一场争战。(3.) 数点是"按着他们的宗族"进行的，这样不但可以知道他们有多少人、各叫什么名字，还可知道每一个人属于哪个支派、哪个家族或宗族，甚至属于哪一个具体的家室；或者以军队的花名册而言，每个人属于哪个团，好叫他知道自己当站的位置，政府也知道在哪里可以找到他。此前不久，当他们为会幕的事奉交纳人头税时，曾被数点过一次（出 38:25,26）。但看来那时并未像如今这样"按着父家"登记。他们的人数与那时相同：603,550人；因为自那以后死去、从名册上失落的人，正与达到二十岁而添入名册的人数目相当。当记取：一代过去，一代又来。 缺额日日产生，新兵日日补充以填补空缺，神的护理确保或迟或早、在此处或在彼处，出生的人数必与安葬的人数相抵，使人类与那圣洁的后裔不致断绝、归于无有。
3. 为办此事指定了专员。摩西和亚略要主持（民 1:3），每支派一人协助——即在支派中闻名、被认定对该支派了如指掌的人，即"各支派的族长"（民 1:16）。当记取：凡尊贵之人当力求成为有用之人；他若为大，就当作你们的仆人，借着他熟悉公共事务来表明他配受公众的认知。这次点兵的责任，交给了那支派的副首长。如今，
II. 为何要下令数点并记录在案？有几个缘由。1. 为了证明神对亚伯拉罕所应许的——祂要"极大地使他的后裔繁多"——已经应验；这应许又向雅各更新（创 28:14），他的后裔要"如同地上的尘沙那样多"。如今显然可见，那美好的应许一句也没有落空；这激励他们指望那另一项应许——以迦南地为产业——也必按时成就。当一群人的数目只是凭目测粗略估计时，存心挑剔的人很容易臆断那估算是错的，认为若当真数过，必不及一半之多；因此神要以色列人被数点，好把他们在短时间内何等惊人地繁增记录在案，使神护理的大能与祂应许的信实得以被众人看见并承认。按寻常的自然规律，七十五个人（雅各下埃及时的全家数目）绝不可能在215年（不过如此）之内繁衍成数十万之众。因此当归于神圣应许与祝福中特殊的功效。2. 这是为表明神亲自要对其以色列人所施的特别看顾，也是摩西与众低层官长理当对他们所尽的看顾。神被称为"以色列的牧者"（诗 80:1）。牧人总是清点他们的羊群，按数目交给副牧，好知道是否有失落的；照样，神数点祂的羊群，使祂所收入圈中的，除了为有价值的缘故——即为祂的公义而被献上的——以外，一只也不失落。3. 这是为在真生的以色列人与他们中间的闲杂人之间划出分别；被数点的唯有以色列人：与这些珍宝相比，全世界不过是杂木。别的人算不得什么，但圣徒，神对他们有特别的产业与眷顾。主认识谁是他的人（提后 2:19），按名认识他们（腓 4:3）。他们的头发都被数过；但对别人，祂却要说："我从来不认识你们，从来不曾把你们放在心上。" 4. 是为了将他们编排到各个区域，以便更易于施行审判，也使他们在旷野的行军更有秩序。未曾点阅、未经整编的，不过是乌合之众、乱民，不是军队。
¹⁷ 于是摩西、亚略带着这些按名指定的人。 ¹⁸ 当二月初一日招聚全会众，他们就按着宗族、父家、人名的数目，从二十岁以外的，都述说自己的家谱， ¹⁹ 耶和华怎样吩咐摩西，摩西就在西奈的旷野这样数点他们。 ²⁰ 以色列的长子流便子孙，按着他们的世代、宗族、父家、人名的数目，从二十岁以外，凡能出去打仗的男丁，一一计算； ²¹ 凡流便支派被数的，共有四万六千五百名。 ²² 西缅子孙，按着他们的世代、宗族、父家，被数的人数，按着人名的数目，从二十岁以外，凡能出去打仗的男丁，一一计算； ²³ 凡西缅支派被数的，共有五万九千三百名。 ²⁴ 迦得子孙，按着他们的世代、宗族、父家、人名的数目，从二十岁以外，凡能出去打仗的； ²⁵ 凡迦得支派被数的，共有四万五千六百五十名。 ²⁶ 犹大子孙，按着他们的世代、宗族、父家、人名的数目，从二十岁以外，凡能出去打仗的； ²⁷ 凡犹大支派被数的，共有七万四千六百名。 ²⁸ 以萨迦子孙，按着他们的世代、宗族、父家、人名的数目，从二十岁以外，凡能出去打仗的； ²⁹ 凡以萨迦支派被数的，共有五万四千四百名。 ³⁰ 西布伦子孙，按着他们的世代、宗族、父家、人名的数目，从二十岁以外，凡能出去打仗的； ³¹ 凡西布伦支派被数的，共有五万七千四百名。 ³² 约瑟子孙中，属以法莲子孙，按着他们的世代、宗族、父家、人名的数目，从二十岁以外，凡能出去打仗的； ³³ 凡以法莲支派被数的，共有四万零五百名。 ³⁴ 玛拿西子孙，按着他们的世代、宗族、父家、人名的数目，从二十岁以外，凡能出去打仗的； ³⁵ 凡玛拿西支派被数的，共有三万二千二百名。 ³⁶ 便雅悯子孙，按着他们的世代、宗族、父家、人名的数目，从二十岁以外，凡能出去打仗的； ³⁷ 凡便雅悯支派被数的，共有三万五千四百名。 ³⁸ 但子孙，按着他们的世代、宗族、父家、人名的数目，从二十岁以外，凡能出去打仗的； ³⁹ 凡但支派被数的，共有六万二千七百名。 ⁴⁰ 亚设子孙，按着他们的世代、宗族、父家、人名的数目，从二十岁以外，凡能出去打仗的； ⁴¹ 凡亚设支派被数的，共有四万一千五百名。 ⁴² 拿弗他利子孙，按着他们的世代、宗族、父家、人名的数目，从二十岁以外，凡能出去打仗的； ⁴³ 凡拿弗他利支派被数的，共有五万三千四百名。
这里我们看到数点百姓之命的迅捷执行。它始于命令发出的当日，即"二月初一日"；参民 1:1,18。当记取：凡为神当作之工，趁责任之感强烈迫切之时立即动手，便是好的。而且据我们所见，这不过是一日之工，因为从此时到本月二十日他们拔营之间（民 10:11），还作了许多别的事。大卫年间约押数点百姓花了将近十个月（撒下 24:8）；但那时百姓分散，如今却密集同居；那时是撒但提议此事，如今是神下令。如今能更快更易办成，也是因为不久前才数点过一次，他们只需翻阅旧册，加上此后的变动——这些变动大概他们随发生随记录在案。
在所留下的详细记录中，我们可以观察到：1. 数目是用完整的文字写下的（可这样说），而非用数字；十二支派中的每一个都重复出现，为使这账目更加庄重严肃——他们是"按着世代、宗族、父家、人名的数目"被数点的，表明每个支派都按同一准则、同一方法来取账和报账，尽管动用了许多手；先记下家谱，表明他们的家族源于以色列，再依次记下各家室，然后把每个家室分为从其分出的家、次家，在这些之下记下各人的名字，按着纹章学的规矩。这样，每个人都可以知道谁是他的亲属或至近的亲属，这关系到我们前面已经遇见的某些律法；此外，关系上越近的人，我们越当乐于向他们行善。2. 它们都以百为尾，唯有迦得以五十为尾（民 1:25），但没有一个数目降到个位或十位。有人认为这是特殊的护理，使各支派恰在此时为偶数，没有奇数或零碎之数，为要向他们表明其繁增之中有不寻常的设计，因为其中情形确实罕见。更可能的是，摩西先前既已设立了百夫长和五十夫长（出 18:25），他们就按各自所属的长官来数点百姓，于是数目便凑成整百或整五十。3. 犹大是其中人数最多的，比便雅悯和玛拿西多出一倍有余，比任何别的支派几乎多出12,000人（民 1:27）。犹大是"他弟兄们必赞美"的那位，因为弥赛亚君王要从他而出；但因那还是遥远的事，神就在许多方面尊荣那支派，尤其是借着人数的繁增，为着那将来要从犹大出来的（来 7:14）之故。犹大要在旷野的行军中作先锋，因此配备了比任何支派更雄厚的力量。4. 约瑟的儿子以法莲和玛拿西，被列为独立的支派，二者合计几乎与犹大相等；这是按照雅各对他们的收养，使他们与流便、西缅等伯叔同等（创 48:5）。这也是约瑟蒙福的果效，他原是"结果子的枝子"（创 49:22）。而年幼的以法莲居先，且比玛拿西人数更多，因为雅各曾双手交叉按过，预见了以法莲的万万、玛拿西的千千。这应验印证了我们对先祖所禀赋之预言之灵的信心。5. 当他们下埃及时，但只有一个儿子（创 46:23），因此他的支派只是一个家族（民 26:42）。便雅悯那时有十个儿子（创 46:21），可如今但支派的人数几乎是便雅悯支派的一倍。当记取：家族的增减并不总是按概率而行。有的大大增多，而后又减少；而原来贫寒的，神却使他们如羊群般兴旺（诗 107:38,39,41；参伯 12:23）。6. 论到每个支派都说，被数的是能出去打仗的，为要提醒他们：尽管如今太平无事、未遇抵挡，但前头还有争战。凡戴上盔甲的，不可像已经卸甲的人那样夸口。
⁴⁴ 这些被数的人，就是摩西、亚略和以色列的十二位族长所数的；每个支派一人，各为本父家的族长。 ⁴⁵ 这样，凡以色列人按着父家，从二十岁以外，凡能出去打仗的，都被数点； ⁴⁶ 凡被数的，共有六十万零三千五百五十名。
这里我们在账目末尾看见总数；他们共有60万兵丁，外加3,550。有人认为，几个月前他们的人数与此相同时（出 38:26），利未人也算在其中，但如今那支派已分别出来事奉神，可同时又有那么多人达到了二十岁，所以他们仍是同一数目；为要表明：凡我们为着神的尊荣与事奉所放下的，神必以某种方式补足。如今我们看到他们是何等庞大的一群人。让我们思想：1. 要在旷野里维持这许多人（再加上大概多出一倍的妇女儿童、病人老人，以及闲杂人）整整四十年，需要多少供应；他们每日都靠神的供给——他们的食物来自天上的甘露，而非地的肥美。我们的神是何等伟大而良善的家主啊！竟然有这样多的人天天仰赖祂、领受于祂！2. 罪在一国之中能造成何等的祸患；四十年之内，他们中大多数人固然因人类共有的罪而按常理死亡；因为罪一入世界，死也随之而来，它在地上所造成的荒凉何其大！但因他们不信、发怨言的特定之罪，如今被数点的人，除了两人以外，都因自己的罪孽将尸骨倒在旷野，倒毙其中。3. 神属灵的以色列最终将多至何等可观；虽然在某一个时候、某一个地方，他们似乎只是一小群，但当他们都聚在一起时，将成为不可胜数的大群（启 7:9）。虽然教会的开端微小，其后必大大加增。虽小，却要成为千千。
⁴⁷ 惟独利未人没有按着他们父家的支派被数在其中。 ⁴⁸ 因为耶和华曾对摩西说： ⁴⁹ "惟独利未支派你不可数点，也不可在以色列人中计算他们的总数。 ⁵⁰ 只要派利未人管理法柜的帐幕和其中的一切器具，并属乎它的一切；他们要抬帐幕和其中的器具，并办理帐幕的事，要在帐幕四围安营。 ⁵¹ 帐幕往前行的时候，利未人要拆卸；帐幕当支搭的时候，利未人要竖起；近前来的外人必被治死。 ⁵² 以色列人支搭帐棚，各人要按着自己的营、各人要按着自己的旗号，在他们的军中。 ⁵³ 但利未人要在法柜的帐幕四围安营，免得忿怒临到以色列会众；利未人要守法柜帐幕的职守。" ⁵⁴ 以色列人就这样行；凡耶和华所吩咐摩西的，他们就照样行了。
这里特为将利未支派与其余各支派分别出来；那支派在金牛犊的事上曾自行分别出来（出 32:26）。当记取：非凡的事奉必以非凡的尊荣回报。如今，
I. 利未人的尊荣在于受命作属灵之事的守护者；会幕及其中的财物，无论安营或起行，都交托他们照管。1. 起行时，利未人要拆卸会幕，扛抬它和一切属它的器具，然后在指定之处重新搭起（民 1:50,51）。圣物之所以尊荣，正因为除了蒙神呼召事奉的人之外，谁也不许观看或触摸。照样，我们众人都不配、也不可与神相交，直等到我们首先蒙祂恩典呼召"进入祂儿子我们主耶稣基督的相交"，于是成为那位大祭司属灵的后裔，作"我们神的祭司"；并且应许说，神也必从外邦人中取利未人归祂自己（赛 66:21）。2. 安营时，利未人要"在帐幕四围安营"（民 1:50,53），好叫他们就近自己的工作，常在其职守上，随时准备事奉；又可作会幕的护卫，防止它被劫掠或被亵渎。他们要在帐幕四围安营，"免得忿怒临到会众"——若帐幕与其职守被忽略，或未被许可近前的人硬挤上去，忿怒就会临到。当记取：当谨防罪恶，因为防罪即防怒。
II. 利未人进一步的尊荣在于：正如以色列既是圣民，就"不列在万民中"，照样他们既为圣支派，也不列在其他以色列人中，而是后来单独数点（民 1:49）。利未人在圣所当办的差事，被称作（如旁注所译）"争战"（民 4:23）。他们既从事这争战，就豁免了军事服役，因此不与那些"出去打仗的"一同数点。当记取：在圣事上事奉的人，既不可使自己也陷入世俗事务的缠累，也不可被世俗事务所缠累。圣职本身已是够一个人全力而为的工作，投入其中仍嫌太少。这是对传道人的警戒：当以卓越的言行将自己与寻常以色列人分别出来，不力求显得更伟大，却立志在各方面都比别人更加真正美好。
English original
The Numbering of the Israelites (1490 BC)
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,
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;
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.
⁵ And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.
⁶ Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
⁷ Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
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.
I. We have here a commission issued out for the numbering of the people of Israel; and David, long after, paid dearly for doing it without a commission. Here is,
1. The date of this commission, Nu 1:1. (1.) The place: it is given at God's court in the wilderness of Sinai, from his royal palace, the tabernacle of the congregation. (2.) The time: In the second year after they came up out of Egypt; we may call it the second year of that reign. The laws in Leviticus were given in the first month of that year; these orders were given in the beginning of the second month.
2. The directions given for the execution of it, Nu 1:2,3. (1.) None were to be numbered but the males, and those only such as were fit for war. None under twenty years old; for, though some such might have bulk and strength enough for military service, yet, in compassion to their tender years, God would not have them put upon it to bear arms. (2.) Nor were any to be numbered who through age, or bodily infirmity, blindness, lameness, or chronical diseases, were unfit for war. The church being militant, those only are reputed the true members of it that have enlisted themselves soldiers of Jesus Christ; for our life, our Christian life, is a warfare. (3.) The account was to be taken according to their families, that it might not only be known how many they were, and what were their names, but of what tribe and family, or clan, nay, of what particular house every person was; or, reckoning it the muster of an army, to what regiment every man belonged, that he might know his place himself and the government might know where to find him. They were numbered a little before this, when their poll-money was paid for the service of the tabernacle, Ex 38:25,26. But it should seem they were not then registered by the house of their fathers, as now they were. Their number was the same then that it was now: 603,550 men; for as many as had died since then, and were lost in the account, so many had arrived to be twenty years old, and were added to the account. Note, As one generation passeth a way another generation cometh. As vacancies are daily made, so recruits are daily raised to fill up the vacancies, and Providence takes care that, one time or other, in one place or other, the births shall balance the burials, that the race of mankind and the holy seed may not be cut off and become extinct.
3. Commissioners are named for the doing of this work. Moses and Aaron were to preside (Nu 1:3), and one man of every tribe, that was renowned in his tribe, and was presumed to know it well, was to assist in it—the princes of the tribes, Nu 1:16. Note, Those that are honourable should study to be serviceable; he that is great, let him be your minister, and show, by his knowing the public, that he deserves to be publicly known. The charge of this muster was committed to him who was the lord-lieutenant of that tribe. Now,
II. Why was this account ordered to be taken and kept? For several reasons. 1. To prove the accomplishment of the promise made to Abraham, that God would multiply his seed exceedingly, which promise was renewed to Jacob (Ge 28:14), that his seed should be as the dust of the earth. Now it appears that there did not fail one tittle of that good promise, which was an encouragement to them to hope that the other promise of the land of Canaan for an inheritance should also be fulfilled in its season. When the number of a body of men is only guessed at, upon the view, it is easy for one that is disposed to cavil to surmise that the conjecture is mistaken, and that, if they were to be counted, they would not be found half so many; therefore God would have Israel numbered, that it might be upon record how vastly they were increased in a little time, that the power of God's providence and the truth of his promise may be seen and acknowledged by all. It could not have been expected, in any ordinary course of nature, that seventy-five souls (which was the number of Jacob's family when he went down into Egypt) should in 215 years (and it was no longer) multiply into so many hundred thousands. It is therefore to be attributed to an extraordinary virtue in the divine promise and blessing. 2. It was to intimate the particular care which God himself would take of his Israel, and which Moses and the inferior rulers were expected to take of them. God is called the Shepherd of Israel, Ps 80:1. Now the shepherds always kept count of their flocks, and delivered them by number to their under-shepherds, that they might know if any were missing; in like manner God numbers his flock, that of all which he took into his fold he might lose none but upon a valuable consideration, even those that were sacrificed to his justice. 3. It was to put a difference between the true born Israelites and the mixed multitude that were among them; none were numbered but Israelites: all the world is but lumber in comparison with those jewels. Little account is made of others, but the saints God has a particular property in and concern for. The Lord knows those that are his (2Ti 2:19), knows them by name, Php 4:3. The hairs of their head are numbered; but he will say to others, "I never knew you, never made any account of you." 4. It was in order to their being marshalled into several districts, for the more easy administration of justice, and their more regular march through the wilderness. It is a rout and a rabble, not an army, that is not mustered and put in order.
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.
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;
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;
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;
²⁵ Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.
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;
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;
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;
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;
⁴³ Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
We have here the speedy execution of the orders given for the numbering of the people. It was begun the same day that the orders were given, The first day of the second month; compare Nu 1:1,18. Note, When any work is to be done for God it is good to set about it quickly, while the sense of duty is strong and pressing. And, for aught that appears, it was but one day's work, for many other things were done between this and the twentieth day of this month, when they removed their camp, Nu 10:11. Joab was almost ten months numbering the people in David's time (2Sa 24:8); but then they were dispersed, now they lived closely together; then Satan proposed the doing of it, now God commanded it. It was the sooner and more easily done now because it had been done but a little while ago, and they needed but review the old books, with the alterations since made, which probably they had kept an account of as they occurred.
In the particulars here left upon record, we may observe, 1. That the numbers are registered in words at length (as I may say), and not in figures; to every one of the twelve tribes it is repeated, for the greater ceremony and solemnity of the account, that they were numbered by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, to show that every tribe took and gave in the account by the same rule and in the same method, though so many hands were employed in it, setting down the genealogy first, to show that their family descended from Israel, then the families themselves in their order, then dividing each family into the houses, or subordinate families, that branched from it, and under these the names of the particular persons, according to the rules of heraldry. Thus every man might know who were his relations or next of kin, on which some laws we have already met with did depend: besides that the nearer any are to us in relation the more ready we should be to do them good. 2. That they all end with hundreds, only Gad with fifty (Nu 1:25), but none of the numbers descend to units or tens. Some think it was a special providence that ordered all the tribes just at this time to be even numbers, and no odd or broken numbers among them, to show them that there was something more than ordinary designed in their increase, there being this uncommon in the circumstance of it. It is rather probable that Moses having some time before appointed rulers of hundreds, and rulers of fifties (Ex 18:25), they numbered the people by their respective rulers, which would bring the numbers to even hundreds or fifties. 3. That Judah is the must numerous of them all, more than double to Benjamin and Manasseh, and almost 12,000 more than any other tribe, Nu 1:27. It was Judah whom his brethren must praise because from him Messiah the Prince was to descend; but, because that was a thing at a distance, God did in many ways honour that tribe in the meantime, particularly by the great increase of it, for his sake who was to spring out of Judah (Heb 7:14) in the fulness of time. Judah was to lead the van through the wilderness, and therefore was furnished accordingly with greater strength than any other tribe. 4. Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, are numbered as distinct tribes, and both together made up almost as many as Judah; this was in pursuance of Jacob's adoption of them, by which they were equalled with their uncles Reuben and Simeon, Ge 48:5. It was also the effect of the blessing of Joseph, who was to be a fruitful bough, Ge 49:22. And Ephraim the younger is put first, and is more numerous than Manasseh, for Jacob had crossed hands, and foreseen ten thousands of Ephraim and thousands of Manasseh. The fulfilling of this confirms our faith in the spirit of prophecy with which the patriarchs were endued. 5. When they came down into Egypt Dan had but one son (Ge 46:23), and so his tribe was but one family, Nu 26:42. Benjamin had then ten sons (Ge 46:21), yet now the tribe of Dan is almost double in number to that of Benjamin. Note, The increasing and diminishing of families do not always go by probabilities. Some are multiplied greatly, and again are diminished, while others that were poor have families made them like a flock, Ps 107:38,39,41; and see Job 12:23. 6. It is said of each of the tribes that those were numbered who were able to go forth to war, to remind them that they had wars before them, though now they were in peace and met with no opposition. Let not him that girdeth on the harness boast as though he had put it off.
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.
We have here the sum total at the foot of the account; they were in all 600,000 fighting men, and 3550 over. Some think that when this was their number some months before (Ex 38:26) the Levites were reckoned with them, but now that tribe was separated for the service of God, yet so many more had by this time attained to the age of twenty years as that still they were the same number, to show that whatever we part with for the honour and service of God it shall certainly be made up to us one way of other. Now we see what a vast body of men they were. Let us consider, 1. How much went to maintain all these (besides twice as many more, no question, of women and children, sick and aged, and the mixed multitude) for forty years together in the wilderness; and they were all at God's finding every day, having their food from the dew of heaven, and not from the fatness of the earth. O what a great and good housekeeper is our God, that has such numbers depending on him and receiving from him every day! 2. What work sin makes with a people; within forty years most of them would indeed have died of course for the common sin of mankind; for, when sin entered into the world, death came with it, and how great are the desolations which it makes in the earth! But, for the particular sin of unbelief and murmuring, all those that were now numbered, except two, laid their bones under their iniquity, and perished in the wilderness. 3. What a great multitude God's spiritual Israel will amount to at last; though at one time, and in one place, they seem to be but a little flock, yet when they come all together they shall be a great multitude, innumerable, Re 7:9. And, though the church's beginning be small, its latter end shall greatly increase. A little one shall become a thousand.
⁴⁷ But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.
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.
⁵⁴ And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
Care is here taken to distinguish from the rest of the tribes the tribe of Levi, which, in the matter of the golden calf, had distinguished itself, Ex 32:26. Note, Singular services shall be recompensed with singular honours. Now,
I. It was the honour of the Levites that they were made guardians of the spiritualities; to them was committed the care of the tabernacle and the treasures thereof, both in their camps and in their marches. 1. When they moved the Levites were to take down the tabernacle, to carry it and all that belonged to it, and then to set it up again in the place appointed, Nu 1:50,51. It was for the honour of the holy things that none should be permitted to see them, or touch them, but those only who were called of God to the service. Thus we all are unfit and unworthy to have fellowship with God until we are first called by his grace into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and so, being the spiritual seed of that great high priest, are made priests to our God; and it is promised that God would take Levites to himself, even from the Gentiles, Isa 66:21. 2. When they rested the Levites were to encamp round about the tabernacle (Nu 1:50,53), that they might be near their work, and resident upon their charge, always ready to attend, and that they might be a guard upon the tabernacle, to preserve it from being either plundered or profaned. They must pitch round about the tabernacle, that there be no wrath upon the congregation, as there would be if the tabernacle and the charge of it were neglected, or those crowded upon it that were not allowed to come near. Note, Great care must be taken to prevent sin, because the preventing of sin is the preventing of wrath.
II. It was their further honour that as Israel, being a holy people, was not reckoned among the nations, so they, being a holy tribe, were not reckoned among other Israelites, but numbered afterwards by themselves, Nu 1:49. The service which the Levites were to do about the sanctuary is called (as we render it in the margin) a warfare, Nu 4:23. And, being engaged in that warfare, they were discharged from military services, and therefore not numbered with those that were to go out to war. Note, Those that minister about holy things should neither entangle themselves, nor be entangled, in secular affairs. The ministry is itself work enough for a whole man, and all little enough to be employed in it. It is an admonition to ministers to distinguish themselves by their exemplary conversation from common Israelites, not affecting to seem greater, but aiming to be really better, every way better than others.
如今以色列将被组建为一个共和国，或更准确地说，一个王国；因为"耶和华是他们的王"（撒上 12:12），他们的政体是神权政体，而摩西在祂之下作耶书仑的王（申 33:5）。如今，为使这一圣洁国度得以正确建立，除了设立良善的律法之外，设立良好的秩序也是必不可少的；因此必须清点这国度的子民，这正是本章所作的。我们在本章看到：I. 有关清点百姓的命令赐给摩西，民 1:1-4。II. 受派协助此事的人选，民 1:5-16。III. 各支派的具体数目，按所呈报给摩西的，民 1:17-43。IV. 合计的总会数，民 1:44-46。V. 利未人的例外，民 1:47-54 等。