The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:17-46

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

GOD'S ARMY

We have here, spiritually, the army of the living God numbered and arrayed unto the march and the victory. Consider, therefore—

That it would appear, as far as we can gather from the increase in numbers, that none had died since the exodus, save through disobedience and idolatry. Even so, none can perish or be lost from the vast army which has come through the Red Sea of the blood of Christ, save through their own disobedience, through departing in their heart from the living God, and making them other gods. The armies of God do not and cannot decrease by death, by violence, or accident: such things have no dominion over them; only sin can separate from the society of the elect, from the communion of saints.

HOMILIES BY W. BINNIE

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Numbers 1:1-43The people were numbered to show God's faithfulness in thus increasing the seed of Jacob, that they might be the better trained for the wars and conquest of Canaan, and to ascertain their families in order to the divisi…Matthew Henry commentaryMatthew Henry on Numbers 1:17-43We 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 Numbers 1:1. Note, When any work is…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:17These men. Designated by direct command of God; yet probably the same, or some of the same, selected by Moses for obvious personal and social reasons a short time before (Exodus 18:25).Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:17-46EXPOSITION THE CENSUS TAKEN (Numbers 1:17-46).Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:18On the first day of the second month. The natural meaning is that the census was completed in one day. If so, the "census papers," the pedigrees and family lists, must have been ready beforehand. Notice had in fact been…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:19As the Lord commanded Moses, so he numbered them. The usual note of absolute obedience to the Divine instructions; but it serves to express the fundamental difference between this numbering and David's.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:21Forty and six thousand and five hundred. All the numbers (save of Gad only) are in unbroken hundreds. It might have been so arranged by miracle; but such an overruling would have no assignable object, and therefore it i…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:24Gad. He is here ranked immediately after Reuben and Simeon, because he was placed with them in the encampment (see above, Numbers 1:5).Joseph S. Exell and contributors