Numbers 1

PART FIRST.

EVENTS INTRODUCTORY TO LEAVING SINAI. Numbers 1:1 to Numbers 10:10. [Time, Twenty Days.]

The Census and the Levites.

CONCLUDING NOTES.

(1.) The accordance of the result of this census with that taken in Exodus 38:25-26, is regarded by Colenso as a proof that the Pentateuch is “unhistorical.” But from the fact that the enumeration in this chapter was made on the same day that it was ordered, (Numbers 1:18,) we infer that a new census was not taken, but only a bringing together and tribal summation of the census already made only a few weeks before. Hence the second census was only a declaration of facts already ascertained. J.D. Michaelis argues that there was but one census, and that was taken at this time, and that “Moses did not hesitate, when recording the account of the tax, to insert what were afterwards found to be the actual numbers.” “We are shut up to this by the solemnity and formality with which the census in Numbers i was commanded, organized, and carried out.” The agreement is quite general among biblical scholars that there was but one census, some carrying its results forward to the muster, and others carrying them backward to the taxing.

(2.) Another proof that the Mosaic books are “unhistorical” is supposed to be found in the total of Israel shown by the census, which, on the ordinary principles of computation, must have been 2,400,000. But consider, first, That there is proof of a sojourn of 430 years in Egypt. See Exodus i, Concluding Notes. Secondly, It would seem very strange if Jacob, living in princely splendour like Abraham with his 318 servants, did not take a numerous retinue of dependents with him down into Egypt. These, by intermarriage and by concubinage and circumcision, may have been absorbed into Israel. Instead of 70 as the first multiplicand, there may have been a much larger number. Thirdly, Egypt was celebrated from antiquity for the fruitfulness of its inhabitants. Exodus 1:7, note. Fourthly, The Hebrews married young: Judah and Pharez at 18, and Beriah at 20. Benjamin at 32 had ten sons. Genesis 46:21. At 64, at the same rate of increase, he might have had 100 grandsons; at 96, 1,000 great grandsons; at 128, 10,000 great great grandsons. If he lived to be 160 his male descendants might have been 100,000, and at 192 they would have reached 1,000,000. Fifthly, Even in the shorter period of 215 years there is space for eight or nine generations. There is no need of limiting all of them to four. “Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation; the children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were brought up upon Joseph’s knees.” Genesis 50:23. Joseph was about 34 years old when his sons were born, (Genesis 41:46-50,) and he died at 110. Hence, in this instance, the fourth generation was born, and four generations were alive together only 75 years after the descent into Egypt. Sixthly, Not merely one generation went out at the Exode, but portions of four. Lastly, Extraordinary increase had been promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:5) in such terms as would lead us to expect a miraculous fecundity.