Numbers 1 Study Notes

1:20-43 The census of the militia of Israel was taken by patriarchal tribe, according to their family records. Judah was the largest tribe with 74,600, more than both of the Joseph tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh) combined.

1:44-46 The total of 603,550 is consistent with the round number 600,000 in 11:21 and Ex 12:37. Some scholars reduce this number by reinterpreting the Hebrew word ’eleph to mean “clan” instead of “thousand,” but the way the twelve subtotals add up to the grand total does not support that interpretation. Some suggest that the actual numbers were multiplied by ten as a rhetorical device to bring glory to God, which may have been acceptable in that culture but does not sit well with modern notions of accurate reporting (see note at Nm 3:43). According to the second census in chap. 26, the total militia prospects decreased by only 1,820 (3 percent) during forty years in the wilderness (see note at 26:51).

1:47-53 Based on the Levites’ zealous actions in defense of the faith in the golden calf incident (Ex 32:26-29), this tribe was granted the privilege of servicing the tabernacle and assisting the Aaronic priests. Though the Levites were not technically priests—that position was restricted to descendants of Aaron of the tribe of Levi—they performed duties similar to those in the priestly circles of ancient Ugarit, Mari, Emar, Assyria, and Babylon.