Verse 2
2. Take ye the sum The chief object of this enrolment was probably for the more efficient organization of the military force of the nation. It may, however, have also subserved other purposes.
After their families This census was more than an individual enumeration: it was a tribal and family registration, and was necessary for the efficient organization of the army. The difference between the terms “families” and house of their fathers is not clear. From Joshua 7:14, (see note,) we infer that the former includes the latter, though Prof. Bush suggests that the latter is merely explanatory of the former. See Exodus 6:13-19, note. An incidental but very important result of this family registration was the documentary provision which it afforded for tracing the lineage of the Messiah. The formation of family surnames is seen in Numbers 26:5-7, like the English John- sons, the Scotch Macs, and the Irish O’s and Fitz’s.
The number of their names Although the Hebrew for sum and number would indicate some difference, it is not clear what it is. The majority of the versions translate them as synonymous.
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