Numbers 26:4
New International Version
“Take a census of the men twenty years old or more, as the LORD commanded Moses.” These were the Israelites who came out of Egypt:

New Living Translation
“List all the men of Israel twenty years old and older, just as the LORD commanded Moses.” This is the record of all the descendants of Israel who came out of Egypt.

English Standard Version
“Take a census of the people, from twenty years old and upward,” as the LORD commanded Moses. The people of Israel who came out of the land of Egypt were:

Berean Standard Bible
“Take a census of the men twenty years of age or older, as the LORD has commanded Moses.” And these were the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt:

King James Bible
Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.

New King James Version
Take a census of the people from twenty years old and above, just as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel who came out of the land of Egypt.”

New American Standard Bible
Take a census of the people from twenty years old and upward, as the LORD has commanded Moses.” Now the sons of Israel who came out of the land of Egypt were as follows:

NASB 1995
“Take a census of the people from twenty years old and upward, as the LORD has commanded Moses.” Now the sons of Israel who came out of the land of Egypt were:

NASB 1977
Take a census of the people from twenty years old and upward, as the LORD has commanded Moses.” Now the sons of Israel who came out of the land of Egypt were:

Legacy Standard Bible
Take a census of the people from twenty years old and upward, as Yahweh has commanded Moses.” Now the sons of Israel who came out of the land of Egypt were:

Amplified Bible
A census of the people shall be taken from twenty years old and upward, just as the LORD has commanded Moses.” Now the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt were:

Christian Standard Bible
“Take a census of those twenty years old or more, as the LORD had commanded Moses and the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Take a census of those 20 years old or more, as the LORD had commanded Moses and the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt.”

American Standard Version
Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as Jehovah commanded Moses and the children of Israel, that came forth out of the land of Egypt.

Contemporary English Version
what the LORD had said about counting the men 20 years and older, just as Moses and their ancestors had done when they left Egypt.

English Revised Version
Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which came forth out of the land of Egypt.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Take a census of those at least 20 years old, as the LORD commanded Moses." These are the Israelites who came from Egypt:

International Standard Version
They counted every male Israeli who had come out of Egypt and who was 20 years old and above, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Majority Standard Bible
“Take a census of the men twenty years of age or older, as the LORD has commanded Moses.” And these were the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt:

NET Bible
"Number the people from twenty years old and upward, just as the LORD commanded Moses and the Israelites who went out from the land of Egypt."

New Heart English Bible
"Take a census, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel." These are those that came out of the land of Egypt.

Webster's Bible Translation
Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, who went forth from the land of Egypt.

World English Bible
“Take a census, from twenty years old and upward, as Yahweh commanded Moses and the children of Israel.” These are those who came out of the land of Egypt.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“From a son of twenty years and upward,” as YHWH has commanded Moses and the sons of Israel who are coming out from the land of Egypt.

Young's Literal Translation
'From a son of twenty years and upward,' as Jehovah hath commanded Moses and the sons of Israel who are coming out from the land of Egypt.

Smith's Literal Translation
From the son of twenty years and above, as Jehovah commanded Moses and the sons of Israel going forth out of the land of Egypt.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
From twenty years old and upward, as the Lord had commanded: and this is the number of them:

Catholic Public Domain Version
from twenty years and above, just as the Lord had commanded. And this is their number:

New American Bible
those of twenty years or more, as the LORD had commanded Moses. The Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt were as follows:

New Revised Standard Version
“Take a census of the people, from twenty years old and upward,” as the LORD commanded Moses. The Israelites, who came out of the land of Egypt, were:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Moses numbered them from twenty years old and upward, as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel who went forth out of the land of Egypt.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe numbered them, from a son of twenty years and above, as LORD JEHOVAH commanded Moshe and the children of Israel who went out from the land of Egypt.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
[Take the sum of the people,] from twenty years old and upward, as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, that came forth out of the land of Egypt.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
This is the numbering from twenty years old and upward as the Lord commanded Moses. And the sons of Israel that came out of Egypt are as follows:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Second Census of Israel
3So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest issued the instruction, 4“Take a census of the men twenty years of age or older, as the LORD has commanded Moses.” And these were the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt:

Cross References
Exodus 30:12
“When you take a census of the Israelites to number them, each man must pay the LORD a ransom for his life when he is counted. Then no plague will come upon them when they are numbered.

Numbers 1:2-3
“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. / You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army.

Numbers 1:18
and on the first day of the second month they assembled the whole congregation and recorded their ancestry by clans and families, counting one by one the names of those twenty years of age or older,

Numbers 3:15
“Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.”

Numbers 14:29
Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me.

Numbers 32:11-12
‘Because they did not follow Me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years of age or older who came out of Egypt will see the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob— / not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun—because they did follow the LORD wholeheartedly.’

Deuteronomy 1:35-36
“Not one of the men of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your fathers, / except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land on which he has set foot, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.”

Deuteronomy 2:14
The time we spent traveling from Kadesh-barnea until we crossed over the Brook of Zered was thirty-eight years, until that entire generation of fighting men had perished from the camp, as the LORD had sworn to them.

Joshua 5:6
For the Israelites had wandered in the wilderness forty years, until all the nation’s men of war who had come out of Egypt had died, since they did not obey the LORD. So the LORD vowed never to let them see the land He had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.

1 Chronicles 21:1-2
Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. / So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.”

2 Samuel 24:1-2
Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.” / So the king said to Joab the commander of his army, who was with him, “Go now throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and register the troops, so that I may know their number.”

Psalm 90:3-10
You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.” / For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night. / You sweep them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning— ...

Isaiah 40:6-8
A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Matthew 1:1-17
This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: / Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. / Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. ...

Matthew 22:32
‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”


Treasury of Scripture

Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.

the eldest

Genesis 29:32
And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

Genesis 49:2,3
Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father…

1 Chronicles 5:1
Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.

thy children

Genesis 46:8,9
And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn…

Exodus 6:14
These be the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the families of Reuben.

1 Chronicles 5:3
The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

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Census Children Commanded Egypt Israel Israelites Moses Numbered Orders Sum Twenty Upward
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Census Children Commanded Egypt Israel Israelites Moses Numbered Orders Sum Twenty Upward
Numbers 26
1. The sum of all Israel is taken in the plains of Moab
52. The law of dividing among them the inheritance of the land
57. The families and number of the Levites
63. None but Caleb and Joshua was left of those who were numbered at Sinai














Take a census
The phrase "Take a census" in Numbers 26:4 is a directive from God to Moses and Eleazar. The Hebrew root for "census" is "paqad," which means to count, number, or muster. This command is not merely about counting people; it is a divine mandate to organize and prepare the Israelites for their future in the Promised Land. Historically, censuses were crucial for understanding the strength and capabilities of a nation, especially in terms of military readiness. In a spiritual sense, this census signifies God's intimate knowledge and care for His people, emphasizing that each individual is known and valued by Him.

of the men
The focus on "of the men" highlights the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where men were primarily responsible for military service and leadership roles. The Hebrew word "ish" is used here, which specifically refers to males. This reflects the cultural and historical context of the time, where lineage and inheritance were traced through the male line. From a theological perspective, this underscores the importance of leadership and responsibility within the community of faith.

twenty years old and upward
The specification "twenty years old and upward" sets a clear age requirement for those included in the census. In ancient Israel, twenty was considered the age of maturity and responsibility, particularly for military service. This age requirement underscores the readiness and capability expected of those who would enter the Promised Land and engage in its conquest. Spiritually, it can be seen as a call to maturity and readiness in one's faith journey, highlighting the importance of being prepared to take on the responsibilities God has for us.

as the LORD had commanded Moses
This phrase, "as the LORD had commanded Moses," emphasizes the divine authority behind the census. It was not a human initiative but a direct command from God, underscoring Moses' role as a faithful servant and leader who acts according to God's will. The Hebrew word for "commanded" is "tsavah," which conveys a sense of order and directive. This highlights the importance of obedience to God's instructions and the trustworthiness of His guidance.

and the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt
The reference to "the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt" serves as a reminder of the nation's history and God's deliverance. It connects the current generation to their past, emphasizing continuity and the fulfillment of God's promises. The Hebrew term "Yisrael" signifies those who strive with God, reflecting the identity and mission of the people. This phrase serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the ongoing journey of His people from bondage to freedom, both physically and spiritually.

(4, 5) Take the sum of the people . . . --The verses may be rendered thus: From twenty years old and upward, as the Lord commanded Moses. And the children of Israel which went forth out of the land of Egypt were these: Reuben, the eldest son of Israel, &c. The expression "as the Lord commanded Moses" is one of very frequent occurrence in this book. The command was given to Moses, not to the children of Israel generally. The form of enumeration is concise. The omissions may be supplied thus:--Reuben--he was the eldest son of Israel. The sons of Reuben were--Hanoch--of him, the family of the Hanochites, &c. (Comp. Genesis 46:9; Exodus 6:14; 1Chronicles 5:3.)

Verse 4. - Take the sum of the people. These words are not in the text, but axe borrowed from verse 2. Nothing is set down in the original but the brief instruction given to the census-takers - "from twenty years old and upward, as on the former occasion." And the children of Israel which went forth out of the land of Egypt. This is the punctuation of the Targums and most of the versions. The Septuagint, however, detaches these words from the previous sentence and makes them a general heading for the catalogue which follows. It may be objected to this that the people now numbered did not come out of Egypt, a full half having been born in the wilderness, but see on Numbers 23:22; 24:8.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“[Take a census of the men] twenty
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים (‘eś·rîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 6242: Twenty, twentieth

years of age
מִבֶּ֛ן (mib·ben)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

and older,
וָמָ֑עְלָה (wā·mā·‘ə·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605: The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top

as
כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has commanded
צִוָּ֨ה (ṣiw·wāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

Moses.”
מֹשֶׁה֙ (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

And [these were] the Israelites
וּבְנֵ֣י (ū·ḇə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

who came out
הַיֹּצְאִ֖ים (hay·yō·ṣə·’îm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of the land
מֵאֶ֥רֶץ (mê·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt:
מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (miṣ·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa


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OT Law: Numbers 26:4 Take the sum of the people (Nu Num.)
Numbers 26:3
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