Matthew Henry on Numbers 1:1-43

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

The 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 division of the land.

It is said of each tribe, that those were numbered who were able to go forth to war; they had wars before them, though now they met with no opposition. Let the believer be prepared to withstand the enemies of his soul, though all may appear to be peace.

More for Numbers 1:1-43

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

commentaryThe Numbering of the Israelites. (b. c. 1490.)THE NUMBERING OF THE ISRAELITES. (B. C. 1490.) 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 dat…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:1-3GOD COMMANDS A CENSUS I. THE PLACE AND TIME OF THE COMMAND. God spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai. Many wildernesses, though uncultivated, were fertile and well watered, but the wilderness of Sinai was a desolat…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:1-16THE NUMBERING OF GOD'S PEOPLE We have here, spiritually, the Church of God militant here on earth, "drawn up unto eternal life (Acts 13:48), numbered and counted and ordered by the Great Captain of the Lord's host; man…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:1In the tabernacle of the congregation—where the Lord spake with Moses "face to face" (Exodus 33:11), and where all the laws of Leviticus had been given (Leviticus 1:1). On the first day of the second month, in the secon…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:1-16THE CENSUS OF SINAI (Numbers 1:1-54). EXPOSITION THE CENSUS DIVINELY COMMANDED (Numbers 1:1-16).Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:2Take ye the sum of all the congregation. The census here ordered had clearly been anticipated, as far as the numbers were concerned, by the results of the half-shekel poll-tax for the service of the sanctuary levied som…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:3By their armies. Every citizen was a soldier. The military monarchies of mediaeval or of modern days, with their universal obligation to service in the ranks, have (so far) but followed the example of ancient Israel.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 1:3FROM TWENTY YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. By this census all the young men of Israel were urged to the consideration of a possible claim upon them. It is to the young men that a country looks when her integrity and liberties ar…Joseph S. Exell and contributors