Numbers 1:18
And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֵ֨ת
H853
וְאֵ֨ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽעֵדָ֜ה
all the congregation
H5712
הָֽעֵדָ֜ה
all the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
3 of 19
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
בְּאֶחָד֙
on the first
H259
בְּאֶחָד֙
on the first
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
הַשֵּׁנִ֔י
day of the second
H8145
הַשֵּׁנִ֔י
day of the second
Strong's:
H8145
Word #:
7 of 19
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
וַיִּתְיַֽלְד֥וּ
and they declared their pedigrees
H3205
וַיִּתְיַֽלְד֥וּ
and they declared their pedigrees
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
8 of 19
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
H4940
מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
10 of 19
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
לְבֵ֣ית
by the house
H1004
לְבֵ֣ית
by the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲבֹתָ֑ם
of their fathers
H1
אֲבֹתָ֑ם
of their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
12 of 19
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר
according to the number
H4557
בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר
according to the number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
13 of 19
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
שֵׁמ֗וֹת
of the names
H8034
שֵׁמ֗וֹת
of the names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
14 of 19
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
מִבֶּ֨ן
old
H1121
מִבֶּ֨ן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Ezra 2:59And these were they which went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:Hebrews 7:3Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.Nehemiah 7:61And these were they which went up also from Tel-melah, Tel-haresha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.Hebrews 7:6But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.Numbers 1:1And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
Historical Context
The census took place exactly one month after the tabernacle's completion (Exodus 40:17), showing the connection between worship structure and military organization. The people assembled by families and clans, emphasizing covenant community rather than individualism.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's careful timing of the census encourage patient waiting for His purposes to unfold in your life?
- What does the connection between tabernacle completion and census taking teach us about the relationship between worship and service?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The gathering of the congregation 'on the first day of the second month' demonstrates God's providential timing and orderly nature in covenant administration. The census was not random but occurred at God's appointed time for a specific purpose. This careful timing reflects the broader biblical principle that God accomplishes His purposes in the fullness of time, ultimately sending Christ 'when the fullness of the time was come' (Galatians 4:4).