Numbers 2:32

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 2:32 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “These are they that were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers` houses: all that were numbered of the camps according to their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

These are they that were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers` houses: all that were numbered of the camps according to their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
Numbers 2:32 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
32These are they that were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers` houses: all that were numbered of the camps according to their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“These [are] those that were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers, etc.] As the number was taken by Moses and Aaron, assisted by twelve princes of the tribe, who were now constituted captains over them, as so many hosts or armies: all those that were numbered of the camp throughout their hosts: of the four camps, of Judah, Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan, throughout the respective tribes or hosts that belonged to each of them, [were] six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty; 603,550 men, which is exactly the sum total of them, as taken (<040146>Numbers 1:46). It is a large number, considering in how short a time, and that great part of it a state…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The following plan shows the general arrangement of the camp, which would vary in different places according to local exigencies. The area of the camp might be about three square miles: Numbers 2:14 Reuel - Doubtless an error of transcription for Deuel Numbers 1:14. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Num 2:9, Num 1:46, Num 11:21, Num 26:51; Exo 12:37, Exo 38:26 Numbers 2:33”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“In Num 2:32 we have the whole number given, 603,550 men, not including the Levites ( Num 2:33, see at Num 1:49); and in Num 2:34 the concluding remark as to the subsequent execution of the divine command-an anticipatory notice, as in Exo 12:50; Exo 40:16, etc. Next: Numbers Chapter 3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification