There are five instances of a census of the Jewish people having been taken.
In the fourth month after the Exodus, when the people were encamped at Sinai. The number of men from twenty years old and upward was then 603,550 ( Exodus 38:26 ).
Another census was made just before the entrance into Canaan, when the number was found to be 601,730, showing thus a small decrease ( Numbers 26:51 ).
The next census was in the time of David, when the number, exclusive of the tribes of Levi and Benjamin, was found to be 1,300,000 ( 2 Samuel 24:9 ; 1 Chronicles 21:5 ).
After the return from Exile the whole congregation of Israel was numbered, and found to amount to 42,360 ( Ezra 2:64 ). A census was made by the Roman government in the time of our Lord ( Luke 2:1 ). (See TAXING .)
These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.
[N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible [S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary Bibliography InformationEaston, Matthew George. "Entry for Census". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .
[N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible [E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary Bibliography InformationSmith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Census'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". . 1901.