Numbers Capitolo 1

Commentario del capitolo

Stato della lingua EN KO JA ZH-S ZH-T

Leggi il passaggio 54 versetti allineati all'originale 317 riferimenti incrociati 3 titoli di sezione

서론

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イスラエルは今や共和国として、いや王国として編成されようとしていた。「主が彼らの王であった」（サム第一12:12）からである。その政府は神政であり、モーセはその下でエシュルンの王であった（申33:5）。さてこの聖なる国家の正しい設立のために、良い律法の制定に次いで必要であったのは良い秩序の制定であった。それゆえこの王国の民の調査がなされなければならなかった。それがこの章でなされる。そこには次のものがある。一、民を数えるようモーセに与えられた命令（民1:1-4）。二、これにおいて彼を助けるために指名された者たち（民1:5-16）。三、モーセに提出された各部族の特定の数（民1:17-43）。四、すべてを合わせた総計（民1:44-46）。五、レビ人の例外（民1:47-54等）。

Originale inglese

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)

Apri passaggio

イスラエル人の数調べ（紀元前1490年）

¹ イスラエルの子らがエジプトの地から出て後の第二年の第二の月の第一日に、主はシナイの荒野の、会見の天幕でモーセに語って言われた。
² イスラエルの子らの全会衆の総数を、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがって、名の数によって取り上げよ。すべての男子をその頭数によって。
³ 二十歳以上の、イスラエルのうちで戦いに出ることのできるすべての者を。あなたとアロンは彼らをその軍勢にしたがって数えよ。
⁴ あなたがたと共に、各部族からひとり、おのおのその父祖の家のかしらである者がいなければならない。
⁵ あなたがたと共に立つべき人々の名は次のとおり。ルベンびとからはシェデウルの子エリツル。
⁶ シメオンびとからはツリシャダイの子シェルミエル。
⁷ ユダびとからはアミナダブの子ナフション。
⁸ イッサカルびとからはツアルの子ネタヌエル。
⁹ ゼブルンびとからはヘロンの子エリアブ。
¹⁰ ヨセフの子らから。エフライムびとからはアミフデの子エリシャマ。マナセびとからはペダツルの子ガムリエル。
¹¹ ベニヤミンびとからはギデオニの子アビダン。
¹² ダンびとからはアミシャダイの子アヒエゼル。
¹³ アシェルびとからはオクランの子パグイエル。
¹⁴ ガドびとからはデウエルの子エリアサフ。
¹⁵ ナフタリびとからはエナンの子アヒラ。
¹⁶ これらは会衆の名ある者たち、その父祖の部族の君たち、イスラエルの数千のかしらたちである。

一、ここにイスラエルの民の数を数えるために出された委託がある。ずっと後のダビデは委託なしにそれをして高くついた。ここに、

この委託の日付がある（民1:1）。(1) 場所。それは「シナイの荒野」にある神の宮廷で、その王宮である「会見の天幕」から発せられた。(2) 時。「彼らがエジプトから上って来た後の第二年」。われわしはそれをその治世の第二年と呼ぶことができる。レビ記の律法はその年の第一の月に与えられ、これらの命令は第二の月の初めに与えられた。
その実行のために与えられた指示がある（民1:2,3）。(1) 男子のみ、しかも戦いに適した者のみが数えられるべきであった。二十歳未満の者はだれも。というのは、そのような者のうちには軍務に十分な体格と力を持つ者がいたかもしれないが、その若さへのあわれみから、神は彼らに武器を負うことを強いられなかったから。(2) また年齢や身体的弱さ、盲目、足なえ、慢性の病気のために戦いに不適な者もだれも数えられなかった。教会は戦う教会であり、イエス・キリストの兵士として自分自身を志願した者だけがその真の構成員とみなされる。われわしのいのち、われわしのキリスト者のいのちは戦いであるから。(3) 計算は「その家族にしたがって」取られるべきであった。彼らがいくらであり、その名が何であるかだけでなく、各人がどの部族、家族、氏族、いやどの特定の家の者であるかを知るために。あるいは軍隊の点呼とみなすなら、各人がどの連隊に属するか。彼が自分の場所を知り、政府がどこに彼を見いだすかを知るために。彼らは少し前に、その人頭税が天幕の奉仕のために払われたときに数えられた（出38:25,26）。しかしそのときは今のように「その父祖の家にしたがって」登録されなかったと思われる。その数はそのときと今とで同じであった。六十万三千五百五十人。というのは、それ以来死んで計算から失われた者と同じ数が二十歳に達して計算に加えられたから。注。「一つの世代が過ぎ去り、また一つの世代が来る」ように。毎日空席が作られ、毎日新兵がその空席を埋めるために集められる。そして摂理は、いつかどこかで、誕生が葬儡を釣り合わせるように配慮し、人類と聖なる種が断ち切られ、絶えないように。
このわざを行うために委員が任命される。モーセとアロンが主宰し（民1:3）、各部族からひとり、その部族で名ある者で、それをよく知っていると推定される者が助ける。「部族の君たち」（民1:16）。注。誉れある者は役立つ者となるよう努めるべきである。大いなる者はあなたの奉仕者となり、公のことを知ることによって、公に知られるに値することを示すべきである。この点呼の任務はその部族の統率者に委ねられた。さて、

二、なぜこの計算は取られ、保たれるよう命じられたのか。いくつかの理由から。1. アブラハムに、神が「その子孫を大いに増やされる」という約束の成就を証明するために。この約束はヤコブに更新された（創28:14）。「その子孫は地のちりのようになる」。さてその良い約束の少しも欠けることがなかったことが現れる。それはカナンの地を嗣業として与えるというもう一つの約束も、時に至って成就するであろうという彼らの望みを励ますものであった。群衆の数が見ただけで推測されるとき、難癖をつける者はその推測が間違っていると思い込み、もし数えるならその半分もいないだろうと想像しやすい。それゆえ神はイスラエルを数えさせ、彼らがわずかな時間でいかに大いに増えたかを記録に残し、神の摂理の力とその約束の真実がすべての者に見られ、認められるようにされた。七十五人（ヤコブがエジプトに下ったときのその家族の数であった）が二百十五年（それ以上ではない）のうちにこれほど何十万という数に増えることは、自然界の通常の成り行きでは期待できなかった。それゆえそれは神的約束と祝福の並外れた力に帰せられる。2. 神ご自身がそのイスラエルに対して取られる特別の配慮、そしてモーセと下位の支配者たちが彼らに対して取ることを期待される配慮を示唆するため。神は「イスラエルの牧者」と呼ばれる（詩80:1）。さて牧者は常にその羊の群れを数え、下位の牧者に番号によって引き渡し、欠けているかどうかを知る。同様に神はその羊の群れを数え、その囲いに取り入れたすべてのうちから、価ある考えの上にのみ失うように。すなわちその正義に犠牲とされた者たちも含めて。3. 真のイスラエル人とそのうちにいる混じり合った群衆との間に区別を置くため。イスラエル人だけが数えられた。これらの宝石に比べれば、世界のすべてはただの朽ち木にすぎない。他の者については少しも顧みられない。しかし聖徒たちについて、神は特別の所有と配慮を持たれる。「主はご自身の者を知っておられる」（テモ第二2:19）。「名によって知っておられる」（ピリ4:3）。彼らの頭の毛までも数えられている。しかし他の者には言われる。「わたしは一度もあなたを知らなかった。あなたを少しも顧みなかった」と。4. いくつかの地区に編成され、正義の執行をより容易にし、荒野を通ってのより規則正しい行軍をさせるため。点呼され、秩序に入れられない群衆は、軍隊ではなく、混乱と暴徒である。

¹⁷ モーセとアロンはこれらの名で示された人々を取った。
¹⁸ 彼らは第二の月の第一日に全会衆を集めた。彼らはその家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがって、名の数によって、二十歳以上のすべての男子をその頭数によってその系図を宣言した。
¹⁹ 主がモーセに命じられたように、彼はシナイの荒野で彼らを数えた。
²⁰ イスラエルの長子ルベンの子ら。その世代にしたがい、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがい、名の数によって、その頭数によって。二十歳以上のすべての男子、戦いに出ることのできるすべての者。
²¹ ルベンの部族の数えられた者は四万六千五百人。
²² シメオンの子ら。その世代にしたがい、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがい、その数えられた者。名の数によって、その頭数によって。二十歳以上のすべての男子、戦いに出ることのできるすべての者。
²³ シメオンの部族の数えられた者は五万九千三百人。
²⁴ ガドの子ら。その世代にしたがい、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがい、名の数によって。二十歳以上のすべての者、戦いに出ることのできるすべての者。
²⁵ ガドの部族の数えられた者は四万五千六百五十人。
²⁶ ユダの子ら。その世代にしたがい、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがい、名の数によって。二十歳以上のすべての者、戦いに出ることのできるすべての者。
²⁷ ユダの部族の数えられた者は七万四千六百人。
²⁸ イッサカルの子ら。その世代にしたがい、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがい、名の数によって。二十歳以上のすべての者、戦いに出ることのできるすべての者。
²⁹ イッサカルの部族の数えられた者は五万四千四百人。
³⁰ ゼブルンの子ら。その世代にしたがい、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがい、名の数によって。二十歳以上のすべての者、戦いに出ることのできるすべての者。
³¹ ゼブルンの部族の数えられた者は五万七千四百人。
³² ヨセフの子ら、すなわちエフライムの子ら。その世代にしたがい、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがい、名の数によって。二十歳以上のすべての者、戦いに出ることのできるすべての者。
³³ エフライムの部族の数えられた者は四万五百人。
³⁴ マナセの子ら。その世代にしたがい、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがい、名の数によって。二十歳以上のすべての者、戦いに出ることのできるすべての者。
³⁵ マナセの部族の数えられた者は三万二千二百人。
³⁶ ベニヤミンの子ら。その世代にしたがい、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがい、名の数によって。二十歳以上のすべての者、戦いに出ることのできるすべての者。
³⁷ ベニヤミンの部族の数えられた者は三万五千四百人。
³⁸ ダンの子ら。その世代にしたがい、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがい、名の数によって。二十歳以上のすべての者、戦いに出ることのできるすべての者。
³⁹ ダンの部族の数えられた者は六万二千七百人。
⁴⁰ アシェルの子ら。その世代にしたがい、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがい、名の数によって。二十歳以上のすべての者、戦いに出ることのできるすべての者。
⁴¹ アシェルの部族の数えられた者は四万一千五百人。
⁴² ナフタリの子ら。その世代にしたがい、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがい、名の数によって。二十歳以上のすべての者、戦いに出ることのできるすべての者。
⁴³ ナフタリの部族の数えられた者は五万三千四百人。

ここに民の数調べのために与えられた命令の迅速な執行がある。それは命令が与えられた同じ日に始められた。「第二の月の第一日」（民1:1,18と比較）。注。神のために何らかのわざがなされるべきとき、義務の感覚が強く、押し寄せているうちにすぐにそれに取りかかることは良いことである。そして見えるところでは、それは一日のわざであった。というのもこの月の第二の月の第二十日までの間に多くの他のことがなされたから。その日に彼らは宿営を移した（民10:11）。ヨアブはダビデの時代に民を数えるのにほぼ十か月を要した（サム第二24:8）。しかしそのとき彼らは散らばっていた。今は彼らは密接に共に住んでいた。そのときサタンがそれをすることを提案し、今は神が命じられた。今すぐや早く容易にできたのは、少し前にそれがなされ、彼らが古い記録を、その後の変更と共に見直すだけでよかったから。おそらく彼らは起こるたびにその勘定を保っていた。

ここに記録に残された詳細において、次のことを観察できる。1. 数は（言うなれば）言葉で長く登録され、数字ではなく書かれている。十二部族のおのおのについて、計算の大いなる儀式と荘厳さのために、「その世代にしたがい、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがい、名の数によって」数えられたことが繰り返される。これは各部族が同じ規則と同じ方法で計算を取り、提出したことを示すため。それほど多くの手がそれに用いられたのに。最初に系図を書き下し、その家族がイスラエルから出たことを示し、次に家族自体をその順序に、次に各家族をそれから分岐した家または下位の家族に分け、これらの下に紋章学の規則にしたがって特定の人々の名を置いた。このように各人はだれがその親族または最も近い血縁であるかを知ることができた。われわしがすでに出会ったある律法はこれに依存していた。それに加えて、関係においてわれわしに近いほど、われわしは彼らに善を行う用意があるべきである。2. それらはみな百で終わる。ガドだけは五十で（民1:25）。しかし数のうちどれも一の位や十の位に下らない。ある者は、すべての部族がちょうどこの時に偶数であり、そのうちに奇妙な数や途切れた数がないことを命じた特別の摂理であったと考える。彼らの増加に普通以上のことが計画されていたことを示すために。その事情にこの普通でないことがあった。むしろモーセが以前に百人と五十人の支配者を任命したので（出18:25）、彼らがそれぞれの支配者によって民を数え、それが数を偶数の百または五十にもたらしたと考える方がもっともらしい。3. ユダがすべてのうちで最も多い。ベニヤミンとマナセの二倍以上であり、他のどの部族よりもほぼ一万二千人多い（民1:27）。それは「その兄弟たちが誉める」ユダであった。メシヤなる君が彼から出るはずであったから。しかし、それは遠く離れたことであったので、神は多くの点でその部族を誉れられた。特にその大いなる増加によって。やがて時の満ちて「ユダから出る」方（ヘブル7:14）のために。ユダは荒野を通じて先陣を率いるべきであった。それゆえ他のどの部族よりも大いなる力をもってそれに応じて備えられた。4. ヨセフの子エフライムとマナセは別々の部族として数えられ、両方を合わせるとほぼユダに等しかった。これはヤコブが彼らを養子にしたことの実行であった。それによって彼らはそのおじたちルベンとシメンと等しくされた（創48:5）。それはまた、「実を結ぶ若枝」であるヨセフへの祝福の効果であった（創49:22）。そして弟エフライムが先に置かれ、マナセよりも数が多い。ヤコブが手を交差し、エフライムの万を、マナセの千を見たから。これの成就は、族長たちが授けられた預言の霊に対するわれわしの信仰を強める。5. 彼らがエジプトに下ったとき、ダンはただ一りの子しか持たなかった（創46:23）。それゆえその部族はただ一つの家族であった（民26:42）。ベニヤミンはそのとき十人の子を持っていた（創46:21）。それでも今やダンの部族はベニヤミンのほぼ二倍である。注。家族の増減は常に確率によらない。ある者は大いに増やされ、また減らされる。貧しかった他の者には、群れのように家族が与えられる（詩107:38,39,41。ヨブ12:23を見よ）。6. 各部族について、戦いに出ることのできる者たちが数えられたと言われる。彼らに戦いが前にあることを思い出させるために。今は平和であり、何の反対も受けないのに。「鎧を着ける者は、それを脱いだかのように誇ってはならない」。

⁴⁴ これらはモーセとアロンとイスラエルの君たち、すなわち十二人が数えた者たちである。おのおのその父祖の家のためであった。
⁴⁵ こうしてイスラエルの子らの数えられた者はすべて、その父祖の家にしたがい、二十歳以上の、イスラエルのうちで戦いに出ることのできるすべての者であった。
⁴⁶ すなわち数えられた者はみな六十万三千五百五十人であった。

ここに勘定の終わりに総計がある。彼らはすべてで六十万人、さらに三千五百五十人の戦いのできる者であった。ある者は、これがその数であった数か月前（出38:26）にはレビ人が彼らと共に数えられたが、今はその部族が神の奉仕のために分けられた。しかしそれまでに二十歳に達した者がそれだけ多くいたので、依然として同じ数であったと考える。神の誉れと奉仕のために手放すものは何であれ、それは確かにある形でわれわしに補われることを示すために。さて彼らがどれほど広大な人の群れであったかを見よ。考えよ。1. （女、子ども、病気の者、老人、混じった群衆の少なくとも二倍以上を除いて）これらをすべて荒野で四十年の間養うのにどれほどかかったかを。そして彼らは皆毎日神の負いにおいて、その食物を天の露から受け、地の豊かさからではなかった。ああ、われわしの神はどれほど大いなる良い家主であるか。これほど多くの者が毎日神に頼り、神から受けている。2. 罪が民と共に何をするかを。四十年のうちに彼らのうちのほとんどは実際には人類の共通の罪で当然死んだであろう。というのは、罪が世にはいったとき、死がそれと共に来たからであり、それが地においてどれほどの荒廃をもたらすか。しかし不信仰とつぶやきの特定の罪のために、今数えられた者はみな、二人を除いて、その不義の下に骨を置き、荒野で滅びた。3. 神の霊的なイスラエルがついにはどれほどの大群衆になるかを。ある時にある場所では小さな群れにすぎないように見えても、彼らが皆一緒に集まるとき、数えることのできない大群衆となる（黙7:9）。そして教会の初めは小さくても、その後の終わりは大いに増える。小さい者が千となる。

⁴⁷ しかしレビ人はその父祖の部族にしたがって彼らのうちに数えられなかった。
⁴⁸ 主がモーセに語って言われたから。
⁴⁹ ただしレビの部族を数えてはならない。またその総数をイスラエルの子らのうちに取ってはならない。
⁵⁰ しかしレビ人をあかしの天幕の上に、またそのすべての器の上に、またそれに属するすべてのものの上に任命せよ。彼らは天幕とそのすべての器とを運び、それに仕え、天幕の周りに宿営する。
⁵¹ 天幕が前進するとき、レビ人はそれを取り下げる。天幕が張られるとき、レビ人はそれを立てる。近づく他国人は殺されなければならない。
⁵² イスラエルの子らはおのおの自分の宿営に、おのおの自分の旗じるしにしたがって天幕を張る。その軍勢のうちに。
⁵³ しかしレビ人はあかしの天幕の周りに天幕を張る。イスラエルの子らの会衆の上に怒りがないように。レビ人はあかしの天幕の任務を守る。
⁵⁴ イスラエルの子らは主がモーセに命じられたすべてを行った。彼らはそのように行った。

ここに他の部族からレビの部族を区別する配慮がある。レビは金の子牛の件で際立っていた（出32:26）。注。際立った奉仕は際立った誉れで報いられる。さて、

一、レビ人の誉れは、彼らが霊的なものの守護者とされたことであった。彼らに天幕とその宝の世話が委ねられた。彼らの宿営においても行軍においても。1. 彼らが移動するとき、レビ人は天幕を取り下げ、それとそれに属するすべてを運び、次に定められた場所に再び立てるべきであった（民1:50,51）。聖なるものの誉れのために、神から奉仕に召された者だけがそれらを見、触れることを許されるべきであった。このようにわれわしは皆、神の恵みによって「われわしの主イエス・キリストとの交わりに」まず召されるまで、神との交わりを持つにふさわしくなく、値しない。そしてそうして、その大祭司の霊的な子孫として、「われわしの神に祭司とされる」。そして異邦人のうちからさえ神がレビ人をご自身に取られることが約束される（イザ66:21）。2. 彼らが留まるとき、レビ人は「天幕の周りに宿営する」べきであった（民1:50,53）。そのわざに近く、その任務に常住して、常に仕える用意ができているため。また天幕の衛兵となり、それが略奪されたり、冒瀆されたりしないように保つため。彼らは天幕の周りに張るべきであった。「イスラエルの子らの会衆の上に怒りがないように」。天幕とその任務がなおざりにされ、近づくことを許されない者がそれに押し寄せたなら、怒りがあるであろうように。注。罪を防ぐために大いなる配慮がなされなければならない。罪を防ぐことは怒りを防ぐことであるから。

二、彼らのさらなる誉れは、聖なる民であるイスラエルが「国々のうちに数えられなかった」ように、彼らも聖なる部族として他のイスラエル人のうちに数えられず、後にそれ自体で数えられたことであった（民1:49）。レビ人が聖所についてなすべき奉仕は（欄外訳のように）「戦い」と呼ばれる（民4:23）。そしてその戦いに従事しているので、彼らは軍務から免除され、それゆえ「戦いに出る」者たちと共に数えられなかった。注。聖なるものについて仕える者は、世俗の事に自分自身を絡ませてはならず、絡ませられてもならない。働き人の務めはそれ自体、一人の人にとって十分なわざであり、それに用いられるには少なすぎる。それは働き人に対して、際立ったふるまいによって普通のイスラエル人から自分自身を区別するよう勧めるものである。大いなる者に見えることを求めず、本当に他の者よりもあらゆる点で良い者となることを目指す。

Originale inglese

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.

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary · Numbers Capitolo 1