Numbers 1:44

The Number of Every Tribe · Numbers 1:17–46
Read Numbers 1

Translations

Modern
These were the men numbered by Moses and Aaron, with the assistance of the twelve leaders of Israel, each one representing his family.
Traditional
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.
Literal
These are the ones who were numbered, whom Moses numbered—and Aaron and the princes of Israel, twelve men—each one was for the house of his father.
Latin
Hi sunt, quos numeraverunt Moyses et Aaron, et duodecim principes Israël, singulos per domos cognationum suarum.

Original

Hebrew
English
These were the men numbered by Moses and Aaron, with the assistance of the twelve leaders of Israel, each one representing his family.

Notes

The count of 603,550 shows the same number of qualified men as mentioned in Exodus 38:26. Exodus 12:37 and Numbers 11:21 give an approximate number of 600,000.

People have interpreted these numbers in different ways:

  • The numbers might show the actual size of this army (see Exodus 1:9–10).

  • The numbers might be symbolic. A later editor might have estimated, or might have misunderstood while translating.

See also study note on Exodus 12:37.

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Deuteronomy, Book of Genealogy Numbers, Book of

Topics

Government: Executive officers of Tribes and Cities Israel: Number of, at Sinai, by Tribes Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mount Sinai: Second Numbering of the People The Tribes of Israel: Total Strength of, on Leaving Egypt