King James Version
What Does Numbers 26:4 Mean?
“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.”
Numbers 26:4 · KJV
Context
2
Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.
3
And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
4
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.
5
Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:
6
Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryTake the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward (מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמָעְלָה)—the census counts military-age men capable of warfare, the same criterion used in Numbers 1:3. The phrase as the LORD commanded Moses emphasizes divine initiative: God orders the census for His purposes.
The reference to the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt is ironic—this new generation never experienced Egyptian bondage firsthand. Yet they inherit the identity and calling of the Exodus generation. The census serves multiple purposes: military preparation for conquest (Joshua's campaigns), tribal organization for land distribution (Numbers 26:52-56), and theological testimony to God's covenant faithfulness despite a generation's unbelief.
The reference to the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt is ironic—this new generation never experienced Egyptian bondage firsthand. Yet they inherit the identity and calling of the Exodus generation. The census serves multiple purposes: military preparation for conquest (Joshua's campaigns), tribal organization for land distribution (Numbers 26:52-56), and theological testimony to God's covenant faithfulness despite a generation's unbelief.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The first census (Numbers 1) counted 603,550 fighting men; the second census (Numbers 26:51) counted 601,730—a slight decrease reflecting divine judgment on the wilderness generation. The twenty-year threshold marked the age of military conscription and legal accountability in ancient Israel. This census would determine land allotment proportions in Canaan.
Reflection Questions
- How does inheriting spiritual identity from previous generations ('which went forth out of Egypt') shape your understanding of covenant community?
- What does it mean that God counts and knows His people individually, even as they number in the hundreds of thousands?
- In what ways does God prepare His people practically (military census) for the spiritual battles they must fight?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 14 wordsוּבְנֵ֣י1 of 14
“and the children”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וָמָ֑עְלָה4 of 14
“and upward”
H4605properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩5 of 14
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֤ה7 of 14
“as the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת8 of 14
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּבְנֵ֣י10 of 14
“and the children”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל11 of 14
“of Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הַיֹּֽצְאִ֖ים12 of 14
“which went forth”
H3318to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Numbers 26:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Numbers 26:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge