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英文原文
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)
數點以色列人（主前1490年）
¹ 以色列人出埃及地以後第二年二月初一日，耶和華在西奈的曠野、會幕中曉諭摩西說：
² 「你要按著以色列全會眾的家族、祖宗家室，計算他們中間一切男丁的名字數目，按著他們的各家記名；
³ 其中凡一切從二十歲以外、能出去打仗的，你和亞倫要照著他們的軍隊數點他們。
⁴ 每支派中必有一個人與你們同在，各人都是自己祖宗家室的首領。
⁵ 與你們同站的人的名字如下：屬流便支派的，有示丟珥的兒子以利蓿；
⁶ 屬西緬的，有蘇利沙代的兒子示路蔑；
⁷ 屬猶大的，有亞米拿達的兒子拿順；
⁸ 屬以薩迦的，有蘇押的兒子拿坦業；
⁹ 屬西布倫的，有希倫的兒子以利押；
¹⁰ 約瑟的子孫中：屬以法蓮的，有亞希忽的兒子以利沙瑪；屬瑪拿西的，有比大蘇的兒子迦瑪列；
¹¹ 屬便雅憫的，有基多尼的兒子亞比但；
¹² 屬但的，有亞米沙代的兒子亞希以謝；
¹³ 屬亞設的，有俄蘭的兒子帕結；
¹⁴ 屬迦得的，有丟珥的兒子以利雅薩；
¹⁵ 屬拿弗他利的，有以南的兒子亞希拉。」
¹⁶ 這些人是會中的著名人物，是他們祖宗支派的首領，是以色列千人的首領。
一、我們在此看見為數點以色列人所頒發的命令；大衛很久以後因沒有命令就行了這事，付出了慘重的代價。這裏有：
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這命令的日期（民一1）。（1）地點：這命令是在神的朝廷——西奈的曠野，從祂的王宮——會幕——發出的。（2）時間：他們出埃及後第二年；我們可以稱之為那治權的第二年。利未記中的律法是在那年正月頒佈的；這命令則在二月初頒佈。
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為執行這命令所給的指示（民一2-3）。（1）只數點男丁，而且只數那些適於打仗的。二十歲以下的不數；因為，雖然有些人也許已有足夠的體格和力量服兵役，但神顧惜他們年幼，不要他們承擔拿起武器的負擔。（2）凡是因年邁、或身體軟弱、瞎眼、瘸腿，或慢性病而不適於打仗的，也都不數。教會既是爭戰的教會，所以只有那些已經登記為耶穌基督兵丁的，才被算為它真正的肢體；因為我們的人生、我們的基督徒人生，就是一場爭戰。（3）這記錄要按著他們的家族而作，這樣不僅可以知道他們有多少、他們叫甚麼名字，還可以知道每個人屬於哪個支派、哪個家族或哪一族，甚至屬於哪一個特定的家；或者說，作為軍隊的點名，要知道每個人屬於哪一個團，使自己知道自己的位置，使官府知道在哪裏可以找到他。他們不久前為帳幕的事奉交了人頭稅之時，已被數點過（出三十八25-26）。但看來那時他們並沒有按著祖宗家室登記，如今才這樣行。他們的數目與此時相同：603,550人；因為此後死了多少、在帳上失去多少，就有多少到了二十歲，被加在帳上。當注意，*一代過去，一代又來。*職缺天天出現，補充也天天招集來填補空缺，護理留意使生與死、在某時某地得以平衡，使人類的族類和聖潔的後裔不至斷絕滅盡。
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為作這工而指定的委員。摩西和亞倫主持（民一3），每支派一人——在自己支派中著名、被認為熟悉本支派的人——協助這事：就是各支派的首領（民一16）。當注意，尊貴的人當努力作有用的人；那為大的，讓他作你們的僕人，並藉著熟悉公眾事務，表明他配得公眾的認識。這次點名的責任交給了那支派的統帥。如今，
二、為何要下令取並保存這記錄？有幾個原因。1. 為證實對亞伯拉罕所應許的成就——神要使他的後裔極其繁多；這應許又向雅各重申（創二十八14），他的後裔必像地上的塵沙那樣多。如今顯明，那美好的應許連一點一畫也沒有落空，這就鼓勵他們盼望另一個應許——以迦南為業——也必按時成全。當一群人的數目只是憑目測而估計時，存心挑剔的人很容易猜想那估計是錯的，如果真去數算，必不到一半之多；所以神要以色列人被數點，使他們在短短時間內大增的事，得以記錄在案，使神護理的大能和祂應許的真實，得以被眾人看見並承認。照著自然常理，七十五個魂（雅各下埃及時家族的人數）在215年內（不過如此之久）絕不可能繁衍成這麼許多萬。所以這必歸因於神的應許和祝福中非同尋常的能力。2. 為表明神自己對祂以色列人所要施的特別看顧，以及摩西和下屬官長當為他們所盡的看顧。神被稱為以色列的牧者（詩八十1）。牧人總是數點自己的羊群，按數目交給副牧人，使他們可以知道有沒有失落的；照樣神數點祂的羊群，使祂所收入羊圈的，除了因著寶貴的代價——就是那些被獻為祂公義之祭的——之外，一個也不失落。3. 為在真以色列人和與他們同處的閒雜人之間有所分別：只有以色列人才被數點：與那些珍寶相比，全世界不過是木石。其餘的人不被記念，聖徒卻是神所特別擁有、特別看顧的。主認識誰是祂的人（提後二19），按著名認識他們（腓四3）。他們的頭髮都被數過；但祂要對別人說：*我從來不認識你們，從來不曾記念你們。*4. 為他們編入各區，使司法易於施行，並使他們在曠野的行進更有秩序。一支未經點名、未經編排的隊伍，乃是烏合之眾，不是軍隊。
¹⁷ 摩西、亞倫就帶著這些按名字被指定的人來；
¹⁸ 當二月初一日，他們招聚全會眾，眾人就按著家族、祖宗家室，照名字的數目，從二十歲以外的，都述說自己的家譜；
¹⁹ 耶和華怎樣吩咐摩西，他就在西奈的曠野怎樣數點他們。
²⁰ 以色列的長子流便的兒子，按著他們的世代、家族、祖宗家室，照名字的數目，從二十歲以外，凡一切能出去打仗的，按著人丁數點；
²¹ 流便支派被數的，共四萬六千五百名。
²² 西緬的兒子，按著他們的世代、家族、祖宗家室，他們被數的，照名字的數目，從二十歲以外，凡一切能出去打仗的，按著人丁數點；
²³ 西緬支派被數的，共五萬九千三百名。
²⁴ 迦得的兒子，按著他們的世代、家族、祖宗家室，照名字的數目，從二十歲以外，凡一切能出去打仗的；
²⁵ 迦得支派被數的，共四萬五千六百五十名。
²⁶ 猶大的兒子，按著他們的世代、家族、祖宗家室，照名字的數目，從二十歲以外，凡一切能出去打仗的；
²⁷ 猶大支派被數的，共七萬四千六百名。
²⁸ 以薩迦的兒子，按著他們的世代、家族、祖宗家室，照名字的數目，從二十歲以外，凡一切能出去打仗的；
²⁹ 以薩迦支派被數的，共五萬四千四百名。
³⁰ 西布倫的兒子，按著他們的世代、家族、祖宗家室，照名字的數目，從二十歲以外，凡一切能出去打仗的；
³¹ 西布倫支派被數的，共五萬七千四百名。
³² 約瑟的兒子中，就是以法蓮的兒子，按著他們的世代、家族、祖宗家室，照名字的數目，從二十歲以外，凡一切能出去打仗的；
³³ 以法蓮支派被數的，共四萬零五百名。
³⁴ 瑪拿西的兒子，按著他們的世代、家族、祖宗家室，照名字的數目，從二十歲以外，凡一切能出去打仗的；
³⁵ 瑪拿西支派被數的，共三萬二千二百名。
³⁶ 便雅憫的兒子，按著他們的世代、家族、祖宗家室，照名字的數目，從二十歲以外，凡一切能出去打仗的；
³⁷ 便雅憫支派被數的，共三萬五千四百名。
³⁸ 但的兒子，按著他們的世代、家族、祖宗家室，照名字的數目，從二十歲以外，凡一切能出去打仗的；
³⁹ 但支派被數的，共六萬二千七百名。
⁴⁰ 亞設的兒子，按著他們的世代、家族、祖宗家室，照名字的數目，從二十歲以外，凡一切能出去打仗的；
⁴¹ 亞設支派被數的，共四萬一千五百名。
⁴² 拿弗他利的兒子，按著他們的世代、家族、祖宗家室，照名字的數目，從二十歲以外，凡一切能出去打仗的；
⁴³ 拿弗他利支派被數的，共五萬三千四百名。
我們在此看見為數點百姓所發命令的迅速執行。命令下達的當天就開始了：二月初一日；請比較民一1、18。當注意，每逢要為神作工，就當趁著責任之感強烈迫切之時，趕快動手。據我們所見，這不過是一天的工作，因為在這日與本月二十日他們拔營之間（民十11），還作了許多別的事。大衛年間約押數點百姓幾乎用了十個月（撒下二十四8）；但那時百姓分散，如今他們緊密同住；那時是撒但提議作的，如今是神命令作的。如今能更快更容易地作成，是因為不久前才作過，他們只需翻閱舊簿，加上此後的變更——這些變更他們大概一發生就留下了記錄。
在此處所留下的細節中，我們可以觀察到：1. 數目都是用文字（可以這樣說）逐字寫下的，不是用數字；十二支派每一個都重複說，他們是按著世代、家族、祖宗家室，照名字的數目被數點的，為了使這帳目更為隆重莊嚴，並表明每個支派都按同樣的規則、同樣的方法取數和報數——雖然有這麼多人動手——先記下家譜，表明他們的家族是從以色列而出，然後按次序記下各家族，再把每個家族分為從其中分出來的家或小家族，在這些之下記下各人的名字，按著家譜學的規則。這樣每個人都可以知道誰是他的親屬或近親，這一點是我們已經遇見的某些律法所依據的；此外，人與我們的關係越近，我們就越當樂意向他們行善。2. 它們都以百為單位結尾，只有迦得以五十結尾（民一25），但沒有一個數目降到個位或十位。有人認為這是特別的護理，使各支派此時都成為整數，沒有奇數或零碎之數，為要向他們表明，他們的增多中有超乎尋常的設計，這情形的本身就不尋常。更可能的是，摩西先前既指派了百夫長和五十夫長（出十八25），他們就按各自的官長數點百姓，這樣數目就成為整百或整五十。3. 猶大是所有人數最多的，比便雅憫和瑪拿西多一倍有餘，比任何其他支派多出近12,000人（民一27）。猶大是他的弟兄們必讚美的那位，因為彌賽亞君王要從他而出；但因為那事還在遙遠之處，神就暫時以許多方式尊榮那支派，特別是藉著它的大增——為著那到了時候滿足要從猶大出來之祂的緣故（來七14）。猶大要在曠野行在前頭，所以照樣配備了比任何其他支派更大的力量。4. 約瑟的兒子以法蓮和瑪拿西被數為獨立的支派，二者合起來幾乎與猶大一樣多；這是雅各收養他們的結果——藉此他們被提升到與他們的叔叔流便、西緬同等（創四十八5）。這也是約瑟得福的果效——他要成為多結果子的樹枝（創四十九22）。年幼的以法蓮被列在前面，人數也比瑪拿西多，因為雅各曾交叉按手，預先看見以法蓮的萬代和瑪拿西的千代。這應驗堅固了我們對先祖所賦預言之靈的信心。5. 他們下埃及之時，但只有一個兒子（創四十六23），所以他的支派只有一個家族（民二十六42）。便雅憫當時有十個兒子（創四十六21），然而如今但支派的人數幾乎是便雅憫的一倍。當注意，家族的增多和減少並不總是按概率而行。有的大大增多，後又減少；那貧窮的卻得著如羊群般的家族（詩一○七38-39、41；並見伯十二23）。6. 論到每個支派都說，被數的是能出去打仗的，為要提醒他們，雖然他們如今在平安中、沒有遇到任何抵擋，但爭戰擺在前頭。穿戴軍裝的，不可像已經脫下的那樣誇口。
⁴⁴ 這些人就是摩西和亞倫並以色列的首領——共十二個人——所數點的；每支派各一人。
⁴⁵ 這樣，凡被數的以色列人，按著他們的祖宗家室，從二十歲以外，凡一切能出去打仗的；
⁴⁶ 凡被數的，共六十萬零三千五百五十名。
我們在此看見帳目末了的總計：他們共有六十萬能打仗的人，零三千五百五十。有人認為，幾個月前他們的數目如此之時（出三十八26），利未人也被算在其中，但如今那支派已被分別出來事奉神，然而到了此時又有這麼多人到了二十歲，所以他們仍是同樣的數目，為要表明，我們為尊榮和事奉神所撇下的，無論是甚麼，必以這樣或那樣的方式補償給我們。如今我們看見他們是何等龐大的一群。讓我們思想：1. 要維持所有這些人（此外無疑還有兩倍之多——婦女孩子、病人和老人、以及閒雜人）在曠野四十年之久，需要多少；他們每日都在神的供養之下，從天上的露水得糧，不是從地的肥美得糧。我們的神是何等大而善的管家，竟有這樣多的人天天仰賴祂、從祂領受！2. 罪在一個民族中能作多大的破壞；四十年之內，他們當中大多數人誠然會因人類共同的罪而死；因為罪一入世界，死就隨之而來，它在地上所造成的荒涼何等大！但因著不信和發怨言的特別之罪，所有如今被數的人，除了兩個之外，都因自己的罪孽而埋骨，死在曠野。3. 神屬靈的以色列至終將是何等大的群眾；雖然在一時一地，他們看似只是一小群，但當他們全都聚在一起之時，必是一大群，無法數算（啟七9）。雖然教會的起頭微小，它的後結局必大增。小的要成為一千。
⁴⁷ 利未人卻沒有按著他們祖宗的支派被數在其中。
⁴⁸ 因為耶和華曾對摩西說：
⁴⁹ 「惟獨利未支派你不可數點，也不可在以色列人中計算他們的總數：
⁵⁰ 只要派利未人管理法櫃的帳幕和其中一切的器具，並一切屬它的：他們要抬帳幕和其中一切的器具，並要伺候它，並要在帳幕的四圍安營。
⁵¹ 帳幕將要往前行的時候，利未人要把它拆卸；帳幕將要支搭的時候，利未人要把它立起：外人若挨近，必被治死。
⁵² 以色列人要各歸自己的旗下，各歸本營的旗號，在他們的軍隊中安營。
⁵³ 但利未人要在法櫃的帳幕四圍安營，免得忿怒臨到以色列會眾：利未人要守法櫃帳幕的職任。」
⁵⁴ 以色列人就這樣行；凡耶和華所吩咐摩西的，他們都照樣行了。
這裏設法把利未支派從其餘支派中分別出來——這支派在金牛犢的事上曾把自己分別出來（出三十二26）。當注意，特別的事奉必以特別的尊榮作報答。如今，
一、利未人的尊榮在於他們被立為屬靈之物的看守者；帳幕和其中的財寶，無論在營中或行進時，都交託給他們照管。1. 起行之時，利未人要拆卸帳幕，搬運它和屬它的一切，然後在指定的地點重新支搭（民一50-51）。聖物所以得尊榮，在於除了那些蒙神呼召事奉的人之外，無人被允許看見它們或摸它們。照樣，我們眾人都不配、也不配與神相交，直等到我們先蒙祂恩典呼召進入祂兒子我們主耶穌基督的相交，這樣作了那大祭司屬靈的後裔，就成為事奉我們神的祭司；並且應許說，神甚至要從外邦人中取利未人歸自己（賽六十六21）。2. 停留之時，利未人要在帳幕四圍安營（民一50、53），使他們就近自己的工作，常住自己的崗位，隨時可以伺候，並使他們成為帳幕的護衛，保守它免遭掠奪或褻瀇。他們要在帳幕四圍安營，免得忿怒臨到會眾——如果帳幕和它的職任被疏忽，或那些不被允許就近的人擁擠其上，忿怒就會臨到。當注意，必須大大留意防止犯罪，因為防止犯罪就是防止忿怒。
二、他們更進一步的尊榮在於：正如以色列是聖潔的國民，不被算在萬民之中，照樣他們作為聖潔的支派，不被算在其餘以色列人之中，而是後來單獨被數（民一49）。利未人在聖所所作的事奉，被稱為（如我們在邊註所譯）一場爭戰（民四23）。他們既從事那爭戰，就被免了兵役，所以不與那些出去打仗的人同被數點。當注意，事奉聖物的人，既不可使自己捲入世俗事務，也不可被世俗事務所纏累。傳道的職任本身就是全人的工，作在其中一切都嫌太少。這也是對傳道人的提醒，要以自己榜樣性的為人，從普通以色列人中分別出來，不求顯得更大，但要力求實實在在地更好——各方面都比別人更好。
英文原文
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.
以色列此時要被組織成一個共和國，或更確切地說，一個王國；因為「耶和華是你們的王」（撒上 12:12），他們的政體是神權政治，而摩西在祂之下作耶書崙的王（申 33:5）。如今，為要正確建立這聖潔的國度，僅次於設立善法的，就是設立良好的秩序；因此必須統計這國度的子民，這正是本章所作的。內容包括：一、吩咐摩西數點百姓的命令，民 1:1-4。二、被指派協助他的人，民 1:5-16。三、各支派的具體數目，照所呈報給摩西的，民 1:17-43。四、總人數的合計，民 1:44-46。五、利未人被例外處理，民 1:47-54 等。