Numbers 26:2

Numbers 26:2 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers—all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.”

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers’ houses, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Let all the children of Israel be numbered, by the names of their fathers' families, all those of twenty years old and over who are able to go to war in Israel.

Free Bible Version FBV

“Census all the Israelites by family—all those twenty years of age or older who are eligible for military service in the army of Israel.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Take the nomber of all the Congregation of the children of Israel from twentie yeere olde and aboue throughout their fathers houses, all that go forth to warre in Israel.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'Take up the sum of all the company of the sons of Israel, from a son of twenty years and upward, by the house of their fathers, every one going out to the host in Israel.'

World English Bible WEB

“Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers’ houses, all who are able to go out to war in Israel.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Number the whole sum of the children of Israel from twenty years old and upward, by their houses and kindreds, all that are able to go forth to war.

Translation for Translators T4T

“Count all the people of Israel again. Write down the names of all the men who are at least 20 years old who are able to fight in battles, along with their family names.”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 26:2

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Numbers 26:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB שְׂא֞וּ אֶת רֹ֣אשׁ כָּל עֲדַ֣ת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מִ/בֶּ֨ן עֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֛ה וָ/מַ֖עְלָ/ה לְ/בֵ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֑/ם כָּל יֹצֵ֥א צָבָ֖א בְּ/יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

שְׂא֞וּ nâsâʼ H5375 to lift V-Qal-Impv-2mp

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

רֹ֣אשׁ rôʼsh H7218 head N-ms

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

עֲדַ֣ת ʻêdâh H5712 congregation N-fs

בְּנֵי bên H1121 son N-mp

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper

מִ/בֶּ֨ן bên H1121 son Prep | N-ms

עֶשְׂרִ֥ים ʻesrîym H6242 twenty Adj

שָׁנָ֛ה shâneh H8141 year N-fs

וָ/מַ֖עְלָ/ה maʻal H4605 above Conj | Adv | Suff

לְ/בֵ֣ית bayith H1004 place Prep | N-ms

אֲבֹתָ֑/ם ʼâb H1 father N-mp | Suff

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

יֹצֵ֥א yâtsâʼ H3318 to come out V-Qal

צָבָ֖א tsâbâʼ H6635 army N-cs

בְּ/יִשְׂרָאֵֽל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel Prep | N-proper

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 26:2

שְׂא֞וּ nâsâʼ H5375 "to lift" V-Qal-Impv-2mp

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.

Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought

Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

רֹ֣אשׁ rôʼsh H7218 "head" N-ms

This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.

Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum

Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

עֲדַ֣ת ʻêdâh H5712 "congregation" N-fs

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gathering of people, like a congregation or crowd, often referring to a group of Israelites. It is used in various books, including Exodus and Psalms. The word is about people coming together.

Definition: congregation, gathering

Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare H5713 (עֵדָה). See also: Exodus 12:3; Numbers 20:1; Psalms 1:5.

בְּנֵי bên H1121 "son" N-mp

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper

Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.

Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile

Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.

מִ/בֶּ֨ן bên H1121 "son" Prep | N-ms

Definition: : child/son

עֶשְׂרִ֥ים ʻesrîym H6242 "twenty" Adj

This word means twenty, and is also used as an ordinal number, like twentieth, as seen in Genesis 31:38. It can refer to a specific age or quantity.

Definition: twenty, twentieth Aramaic equivalent: es.rin (עֶשְׂרִין "twenty" H6243)

Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: (six-) score, twenty(-ieth). See also: Genesis 6:3; 1 Kings 9:14; Ezra 2:19.

שָׁנָ֛ה shâneh H8141 "year" N-fs

This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.

Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)

Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.

וָ/מַ֖עְלָ/ה maʻal H4605 "above" Conj | Adv | Suff

Means above or higher, used to describe something's location or position. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Genesis 1:7, where God separates the waters above from the waters below. This word helps us understand God's creation.

Definition: subst 1) higher part, upper part adv 1a) above prep 1b) on the top of, above, on higher ground than with locative 1c) upwards, higher, above

Usage: Occurs in 134 OT verses. KJV: above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on ([idiom] very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very. See also: Genesis 6:16; 1 Samuel 30:25; Psalms 74:5.

לְ/בֵ֣ית bayith H1004 "place" Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.

Definition: nm place, origin, between

Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.

אֲבֹתָ֑/ם ʼâb H1 "father" N-mp | Suff

In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.

Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)

Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

יֹצֵ֥א yâtsâʼ H3318 "to come out" V-Qal

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.

Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth

Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.

צָבָ֖א tsâbâʼ H6635 "army" N-cs

This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.

Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service

Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.

בְּ/יִשְׂרָאֵֽל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" Prep | N-proper

Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.

Study Notes — Numbers 26:2

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Numbers 26:2 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 26:2
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 26:2
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 26:2
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 26:2
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 26:2
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 26:2
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 26:2
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 26:2
Sermons on Numbers 26:2

Context — The Second Census of Israel

1After the plague had ended, the LORD said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest,

2“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers—all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army 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

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Exodus 38:25–26	The silver from those numbered among the congregation totaled 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel— a beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years of age or older who had crossed over to be numbered, a total of 603,550 men.
2	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.
3	Exodus 30:11–16	Then the LORD said to Moses, “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. Everyone who crosses over to those counted must pay a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD. Everyone twenty years of age or older who crosses over must give this offering to the LORD. In making the offering to the LORD to atone for your lives, the rich shall not give more than a half shekel, nor shall the poor give less. Take the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the Tent of Meeting. It will serve as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD to make atonement for your lives.”

Numbers 26:2 Summary

This verse is about God telling Moses to count all the Israelite men who are twenty years old or older and can serve in the army. This was important because it helped the Israelites get ready to enter the Promised Land and fight battles, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:3. It also shows that God is concerned about the organization and preparedness of His people, just like a general prepares his army for war (1 Corinthians 14:8). By counting the men, God was preparing the Israelites for their future and teaching them to trust in Him, just as we can trust in Him today (Psalm 20:7).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God instruct Moses to take a census of the Israelites?

God instructed Moses to take a census of the Israelites to prepare for their entrance into the Promised Land and to organize the army of Israel, as seen in Numbers 26:2, similar to the census taken in Numbers 1:2-3, which was also for military and organizational purposes.

What is the significance of the age twenty in this verse?

The age twenty was significant because it marked the age of adulthood and military service in Israel, as stated in Numbers 26:2, which is consistent with other biblical references such as Exodus 30:14 and Leviticus 27:3, where twenty is considered the age of accountability and responsibility.

How does this census relate to the previous plague mentioned in Numbers 25:9?

The census in Numbers 26:2 takes place after the plague that occurred in Numbers 25:9, which was a result of Israel's sin, and it serves as a new beginning for the Israelites, allowing God to re-establish His people and prepare them for their future in the Promised Land, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:3-4.

What can we learn from the organization of the census by the houses of their fathers?

The organization of the census by the houses of their fathers, as mentioned in Numbers 26:2, highlights the importance of family and tribal identity in Israel, which is also seen in other biblical references such as Genesis 12:1-3 and Joshua 7:14, where family and tribe play significant roles in the nation's structure and inheritance.

Reflection Questions

What does this verse reveal about God's concern for the organization and preparedness of His people?
How does the concept of being 'twenty years of age or older' and able to 'serve in the army of Israel' relate to my own sense of responsibility and service to God?
In what ways can I, like the Israelites, prepare myself for the 'battles' and challenges that lie ahead, and how can I trust in God's guidance and provision?
What does the fact that the census was taken 'by the houses of their fathers' say about the importance of family and heritage in our lives, and how can we apply this to our own relationships and community?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 26:2

Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel,.... Excepting the Levites, who were to be numbered by themselves, and at a different age; this sum was to be taken, that it might

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 26:2

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. Take the sum of all the congregation.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 26:2

They were numbered twice before, ,12, and ,2. Now they are numbered a third time, partly to demonstrate the faithfulness of God, both in cutting all those off whom he had threatened to cut off, , and in a stupendous increase and multiplication of the people according to his promise, notwithstanding all their sins, and the sweeping judgments inflicted upon them; and partly to prepare the way for the equal division of the land which they were now going to possess.

Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 26:2

Numbers 26:2 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.Ver. 2. From twenty.]

Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 26:2

(2) Take the sum . . . —The same command had been given to Moses and Aaron (Numbers 1:2-3). In that case a man taken out of every tribe, the head of his father’s house, was appointed to assist Moses and Aaron in taking the census. It is probable that the same arrangement was made in the present instance, though it is not recorded.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 26:2

Verse 2. Take the sum of all the congregation] After thirty-eight years God commands a second census of the Israelites to be made, to preserve the distinction in families, and to regulate the tribes previously to their entry into the promised land, and to ascertain the proportion of land which should be allowed to each tribe. For though the whole was divided by lot, yet the portions were so disposed that a numerous tribe did not draw where the lots assigned small inheritances. See Numbers 26:53-56, and also See Clarke on Numbers 1:1.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 26:2

1–4. Moses and Eleazar are commanded by God to number the fighting men of 20 years of age and upwards.

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 26:2

2. Take the sum of all the congregation — This census subserved several purposes. (1.) It showed that the entire generation of those who rejected Jehovah at Kadesh-barnea had perished according to the divine threatening.

Sermons on Numbers 26:2

	Sermon	Description
	(Exodus) Exodus 38:18 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of the colors used in the hanging for the gate of the court. The blue represents Christ's deity, as he came from heaven. The
	(Through the Bible) Exodus 30-32 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Moses and the Israelites in the book of Exodus. He focuses on the incident where the Israelites worshiped a golden calf while Mos
	The Tabernacle 12 Boards-Bars (Incomplete) by J. Henry Brown	In this sermon transcript, the speaker recounts their experience of visiting a place where they were preaching the gospel. They initially feel unsure about being there and question

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